INNO3D RTX 3070 Ti X3 OC Review

Yay! It’s 3070 Ti launch day and this is one of three GPUs we had in to review for it, YAY! That is how we should feel, but I’ve got to be honest, I really am just not bothered by new GPU launches at the moment. There is far too much going on with prices and availability right now for me to care too much! However, the show must go on and without new products, there would be no progress, so let’s go ahead and see just what these 3070 Ti’s from NVIDIA have to offer. The 3070 Ti’s definitely look half decent on paper but let’s see if they can live up to what little hype there has been for them!

INNO3D RTX 3070 Ti X3 OC

The INNO3D RTX 3070 Ti X3 OC comes with 8GB of 256-bit Micro GDDR6X. The one thing that is kind of interesting here is the boost clocks. Now, the FE model of the 3070 Ti comes with a 1770 MHz boost, whereas this RTX 3070 Ti X3 OC comes with a 1785MHz boost. While I know this is still technically an overclock, it’s only 15MHz so you really are not going to see it. It would have really been nice to see a higher overclock or just get rid of the word Overclock from this GPU as it makes it sound quite a bit better than what it actually is. However, any overclock is still an overclock, so they try to use it in the name to make things sound better. This small OC also means that other AIB 3070 Ti’s that have a higher overclock will likely outperform this one, but we can look at all that in the charts coming up!

It really is such a shame that things aren’t different at the moment. I really want to be excited about the new GPUs but I just can’t. I mean, for the 3080 Ti release last week, we had a whole 1 card to review ourselves. It just goes to show that many companies are not worried about reviews as the cards aren’t going to be readily available for consumers anyways.

A Closer Look

When I first got the INNO3D RTX 3070 Ti X3 OC out of the box, I was a bit surprised, I must admit. One, it was a bit smaller than I was expecting it to be, not in a bad way though just not as thick as most cards these days. Secondly, there are no RGB lights on this card which is a more than welcome feature. Finally, the card is completely black, and I have to say, I quite like the look of this! I can really see all-black stealth builds being done with this card, and it would look absolutely amazing!

This is a proper dual-slot card and will only take up two of your expansion bays. None of that 2.5 nonsense that actually takes up 3 bays thanks to oversized heatsinks and shrouds! The INNO3D RTX 3070 Ti X3 OC will be a great card for system integrators and those looking to add a 3070 Ti to smaller builds where space is a concern. INNO3D’s no-frills approach to their RTX 3070 Ti X3 OC is great to see and gives me hope that one day we will start to see more GPUs without RGB LEDs and the likes. While I do personally like a bit of RGB, it is nice to have some options without it; as always, the more choices, the better.

While this card may not be as chunky or thick as others, it still does have a good-sized heatsink on it. Due to the design of the RTX 3070 Ti X3 OC, it may get a tiny bit hotter than bigger models. However, we are only talking about a couple of degrees and it is absolutely nothing to worry about.

INNO3D has gone with dual 8-pin power connectors for their RTX 3070 Ti X3 OC. This seems to be the standard for 3070 Ti’s and even as such, the INNO3D RTX 3070 Ti X3 OC was the least power-hungry model we have tested drawing just over 400w as a full system under load tests.

Both of the longer sides on the INNO3D RTX 3070 Ti X3 OC have the heatsink showing and this is to allow for the heat to dissipate as best possible. Allowing that little bit of extra room for airflow can really make a difference, especially in a GPU as thin as this one.

For output connectors, we have three Display Ports and a single HDMI. This seems to be kind of the new norm and a lot of cards are coming with these outputs which is a bit of a shame if you ask me! I know these cards are designed to be able to take multiple outputs but I think it would be nice to see at least two HDMI ports as well as two display ports! I just feel this would give more users the options to benefit more easily from being able to have multi-monitor setups as not everyone is going to be running Display Port connections.

The backplate has a few cutouts in it as you will see in the image below. This is going to allow for a little bit more of the heat to dissipate from the heatsink without getting caught on the backplate and essentially, trapped in the card. For a card of this size, they have had to do everything in their power to help try to keep it as cool as possible.

With the thinner size of this card and the cutouts in the backplate, I found it a bit odd that INNO3D have decided to completely cover the end of the RTX 3070 Ti X3 OC. While it doesn’t make much of a difference and definitely looks better, I would’ve thought they would have had some of the heatsink visible to continue to capitalize on allowing for a bit more airflow through the card. Maybe that’s what the two holes are for? Who knows really but I am not a fan of those holes either as they just look like screws are missing. However, I can assure you they are not and nothing is supposed to be in those two holes.

How We Test

We continue to update our testing methods around once per year. As such, we re-test older hardware to reflect changes over time. These can be driver updates, Windows updates, game patches, and more; all of which have an impact on performance figures. Furthermore, we update our test bench to newer and more relevant hardware. This means that our new reviews aren’t always comparable to those of older reviews, so please compare the testing methodology on older reviews should you be trying to compare them with newer ones.

Replicate Our Results

When it comes to our benchmarks in our reviews, the benchmarks are pretty self-explanatory and kept as simple as possible, although there are a few exceptions. Remember that your choice of a graphics card, CPU, the silicon lottery, and other factors can yield different numbers, and there’s always a margin for error when using any software.

Links are provided below, as well as the settings we use. We encourage you to not just look at how one product compares to any other, but how it compares to your own. If you’re looking to build a new system, you should benchmark your current PC using the benchmarks available to you. You should then look at the percentage improvement from your current hardware to the hardware tested here to give you a ballpark figure of how much of an upgrade this will provide you with.

Graphics Card Test System

Additional Hardware

• Killawatt style electricity usage meter wall plug
• Precision Gold N05CC Decibel meter

Gaming

To gauge performance levels which are easily reproduced time after time, by both ourselves and our readers, we now stick strictly to games default profiles. We now use the “High” profiles for all games or their respective equivalent at all resolutions. V-Sync is always disabled in our testing, as are FreeSync and G-Sync technologies or similar. Graphics card power usage is set to optimised or balance, and the system power mode set to High Performance within Windows and the available GPU driver software. Identical settings are used for all resolutions unless otherwise stated.

Games

• Watch Dogs Legion
• Dirt 5
• Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
• Godfall
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider
• Horizon Zero Dawn
• Final Fantasy XV
• Borderlands 3
• Metro Exodus
• Control
• FarCry New Dawn
• Ghost Recon Breakpoint
• Wolfenstein Youngblood

Resolutions

• 1080p (Full HD)
• 1440p (2K)
• 2160p (4K)
• 4320p (8K)

Some tests will also include features such as Nvidia DLSS and Ray Tracing. However, these will be clearly labelled and may only appear in reviews for graphics cards that support those features. 8K testing will only appear in reviews of flagship cards that we consider capable.

Software Used

• 3DMark Fire Strike (download)
  • FireStrike
  • FireStrike Ultra
  • Port Royal DXR
  • TimeSpy
  • TimeSpy Extreme
• Unigine Superposition (download)
  • 4K Optimised Benchmark
• HWMonitor (download)
• GPU-Z (download)
• MSI Afterburner (download)

Noise

Everyone has a reasonable noise level preference when it comes to components on a computer. Some can handle all fans at 100% load to keep temperatures down; some want an entirely silent computer. To accurately gauge the noise output of a graphics card, we position a Precision Gold N05CC one meter above our open-air test bench and take an average reading at idle and load. 

Power Consumption

We take power readings during the idle state with no background applications running. Then again at 50% completion of the Unigine Superposition benchmark, using the average as the final published result.

Temperatures

We take temperature readings after 10 minutes of desktop idle with no background programs running, then take the recorded maximum delivered from Unigine Superposition after a 4K optimised run, confirming the numbers are accurate with HWMonitor. Furthermore, the ambient temperature is always kept +/- 1c from 21c.

Synthetic Benchmarks

3DMark FireStrike

3DMark FireStrike Ultra

3DMark TimeSpy

3DMark TimeSpy Extreme

3DMark Port Royal (DXR)

Unigine Superposition 4K Optimised

DIRT 5 is a fun, amplified, off-road racing experience created by Codemasters. Blaze a trail on routes across the world, covering gravel, ice, snow and sand, with a roster of cars ranging from rally icons to trucks, to GT heroes. With a star-studded Career, four-player split-screen, innovative online modes, livery editor and more new features, DIRT 5 is the next generation of extreme racing.

Available now on Steam.

Dirt 5 Performance

Become Eivor, a legendary Viking raider on a quest for glory. Explore England’s Dark Ages as you raid your enemies, grow your settlement, and build your political power.

• Lead epic Viking raids against Saxon fortresses throughout England.
• Dual-wield powerful weapons and relive the visceral fighting style of the Vikings.
• Challenge yourself with the most varied collection of enemies ever found in Assassin’s Creed.
• Shape the growth of your character with every choice you make and carve your path to glory.
• Explore a Dark Age open world, from the harsh shores of Norway to the beautiful kingdoms of England.
• Personalize your experience by growing your clan’s settlement.

Available now on UPlay.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Performance

Aperion is on the precipice of ruin. You are the last of the Valorian knights, god-like warriors able to equip Valorplates, legendary armor sets that transform wielders into unstoppable masters of melee combat. Tear through foes as you climb through the elemental realms and challenge the mad god, Macros who awaits you at the top. Ascend in Godfall, the first-of-its-kind, looter-slasher, melee action-RPG.

Available now on EPIC.

Godfall Performance

Experience Lara Croft’s defining moment as she becomes the Tomb Raider. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Lara must master a deadly jungle, overcome terrifying tombs, and persevere through her darkest hour. As she races to save the world from a Maya apocalypse, Lara will ultimately be forged into the Tomb Raider she is destined to be.

Available now on Steam.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider Performance

For the first time, players take control of Noctis’s greatest foe in this brand-new episode of FINAL FANTASY XV! Delve into the dark tale of scorned saviour Ardyn Lucis Caelum and unravel the secrets surrounding his mysterious past.

Available now on Steam.

Final Fantasy XV Performance

Experience Aloy’s entire legendary quest to unravel the mysteries of a world ruled by deadly Machines. An outcast from her tribe, the young hunter fights to uncover her past, discover her destiny… and stop a catastrophic threat to the future.

Unleash devastating, tactical attacks against unique Machines and rival tribes as you explore an open world teeming with wildlife and danger. Horizon Zero Dawn is a multi-award-winning action role-playing game – and this Complete Edition for PC includes the huge expansion The Frozen Wilds, featuring new lands, skills, weapons and Machines.

Available now on Steam.

Horizon Zero Dawn Performance

The original shooter-looter returns, packing bazillions of guns and a mayhem-fueled adventure! Blast through new worlds and enemies as one of four new Vault Hunters. Play solo or with friends to take on insane enemies, score loads of loot and save your home from the most ruthless cult leaders in the galaxy.

At the hard edge of the galaxy lies a group of planets ruthlessly exploited by militarized corporations. Brimming with loot and violence, this is your home—the Borderlands. Now, a crazed cult known as The Children of the Vault has emerged and is spreading like an interstellar plague. Play solo or co-op as one of four unique Vault Hunters, score loads of loot and save the galaxy from this fanatical threat.

Available now on Epic Games Store.

Borderlands 3 Performance

Metro Exodus is an epic, story-driven first-person shooter from 4A Games that blends deadly combat and stealth with exploration and survival horror in one of the most immersive game worlds ever created. Flee the shattered ruins of dead Moscow and embark on an epic, continent-spanning journey across post-apocalyptic Russia in the greatest Metro adventure yet.

Explore the Russian wilderness in vast, non-linear levels and follow a thrilling story-line inspired by the novels of Dmitry Glukhovsky that spans an entire year through spring, summer and autumn to the depths of nuclear winter.

Available now on Epic Game Store.

Metro Exodus Performance

A corruptive presence has invaded the Federal Bureau of Control…Only you have the power to stop it. The world is now your weapon in an epic fight to annihilate an ominous enemy through deep and unpredictable environments. Containment has failed, humanity is at stake. Will you regain control?

Winner of over 80 awards, Control is a visually stunning third-person action-adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Blending open-ended environments with the signature world-building and storytelling of renowned developer, Remedy Entertainment, Control presents an expansive and intensely gratifying gameplay experience.

Available now on Steam.

Control Performance

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint puts you in the boots of the Ghosts, an Elite US Special Operations Unit stranded behind enemy lines. This time there is no briefing. All contact has been lost with Auroa. This archipelago is home to Skell Technology, a high-tech company. You are sent there with your unit for a recon mission, but your helicopters are shot down: Skell Tech has fallen into the wrong hands. The Wolves, a lethal ex-US military unit gone rogue, have taken over the island.

Led by your ex-brother-in-arms, Colonel Cole D. Walker, they have reprogrammed Skell’s drones into killing machines and are ready to use them, no matter the casualties. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint is a military shooter set in a diverse, hostile, and mysterious open world that you can play entirely solo or in four-player co-op. Injured, without support, and hunted down by ex-Ghosts, you must fight to survive while lost in Auroa. Choose the right alliances and decide how to take down your toughest enemy.

Available now on UPLAY.

Ghost Recon: Breakpoint

Wolfenstein: Youngblood is the first modern co-op Wolfenstein adventure.

Nineteen years after the events of Wolfenstein II, BJ Blazkowicz has disappeared after a mission into Nazi-occupied Paris. Now, after years of training from their battle-hardened father, BJ’s twin daughters, Jess and Soph Blazkowicz, are forced into action.

Team up with a friend or play alone. Level up, explore, and complete missions to unlock new abilities, weapons, gadgets, cosmetics, and more to complement your playstyle and customize your appearance.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood features the most open-ended Wolfenstein experience to date. From a new base of operations located deep in the heart of the Paris catacombs, plan how and when to attack and dismantle the Nazi regime.

Available now on Steam.

Wolfenstein Youngblood Performance

Power Consumption

Temperatures

Acoustics

How Much Does It Cost?

With no official pricing available to us at the time of review, it will be interesting to see what retailers try to get away with. We know the founder’s edition cards are supposed to start at $599, not that we can believe that either at the moment. However, this gives us a bit of insight into what we can roughly expect prices to be. The RTX 3070 Ti X3 OC is a small step up from the founder’s edition but should still be cheaper than most other AIB 3070 Ti’s, so while you should expect to pay a bit more for it over a founders edition, it shouldn’t be too crazily overpriced, at least we hope not!

Overview

The RTX 3070 Ti X3 OC from INNO3D is a welcome take on not overcomplicating a GPU. Simply put, this GPU will be a small step up from the founder’s edition in both price and performance but it won’t be as over the top as some of the other models we have/will see. INNO3D have made it a true dual-slot GPU and have not added any LEDs or RGB of any kind to their RTX 3070 Ti X3 OC which is also warmly welcomed. While it may run a tad bit hotter than the other bigger cards and not perform quite as well, it does this using less wattage so all in all, it really is expected. It would be great to see more availability from INNO3D over here in the UK, especially if they stick with the minimalistic approach as we have seen here with their RTX 3070 Ti X3 OC.

NVIDIA LHR

As we all know by now, NVIDIA has added LHR to their new GPUs. This is going to significantly reduce the Eth hashrate of the GPUs and hopefully make them not as appealing to miners as the ROI won’t be as good! Now, for the 3070 Ti’s we have seen, the hashrate is around 38MHs which is roughly half of what we feel it would be had NVIDIA not limited it. This is a small but mighty step from NVIDIA to try and help make sure gamers can get their hands on graphics cards during these crazy times so well done to NVIDIA for at least trying to help things out a bit.

Should I Buy One?

Can you buy one should be the question? If you can find one of these at a semi-decent price I would have no problem recommending it. Things are so crazy at the moment it is hard to say if we should pay these prices or wait. However, if we wait, how long do we wait for? I don’t think anyone really knows when things will go back to what we used to consider normal but if nothing else the RTX 3070 Ti X3 OC is a decent little card. It’s not quite as powerful as some of the other 3070 Ti’s on the market but it does offer some good performance and its smaller size and stealthy aesthetic should really help it still be a worthy choice.