MSI GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Vanguard SOC review – What can the RTX 5080’s smaller sister, which only has a different chip, do?

1 - Introduction, overview and technical data 2 - Test system and equipment 3 - Teardown: PCB and cooler 4 - Teardown: Material analysis and thermal interface materials 5 - Gaming Performance: Rasterization 6 - Gaming Performance: Supersampling, RT and FG 7 - Power consumption, load peaks, PSU recommendation 8 - Temperatures, clock rates and thermography 9 - Fan curves and operating noise 10 - Summary and conclusion

Teardown

When designing the MSI RTX 5070 Ti Vanguard SOC, as with the RTX 5090 SUPRIM, MSI placed great emphasis on easy disassembly. The backplate can be removed with just a few screws, making maintenance work and modifications less complicated. Once the slot bracket has been removed and the five connection cables disconnected, the board can be carefully removed by loosening the fastening screws and the clamping cross. It should be noted that the PTM pad used for heat dissipation may offer some resistance during removal. A careful and even approach helps to avoid damage. This well thought-out design makes both repairs and subsequent upgrades considerably easier.

Circuit board and components

As with NVIDIA’s reference design, three large voltage rails and several smaller ones are used and the board corresponds 1:1 to the PCB of its bigger sister, the MSI RTX 5080 Vanguard SOC. The voltage converters for NVDD, i.e. the core voltage of the GPU, are well-known and proven. What is new, however, is that NVIDIA – similar to Intel and AMD – now uses separate voltages for the GDDR7 memory and the frame buffer. While the voltage supply for the GPU cores and the memory is already established, the dedicated voltage regulation for the frame buffer is a new feature.

The frame buffer is a special memory area in which the pixel information of the displayed image is stored. It stores data such as color depth, transparency and resolution and is continuously updated by the GPU to ensure smooth image output. The frame buffer is directly connected to the graphics memory, which is operated under the voltage MSVDD. This represents the physical memory resource that the frame buffer accesses. The FBVDD voltage in turn ensures stable and precise transfer of image data between the GPU and memory, especially at high clock rates.

MSVDD primarily regulates the operation of the memory chips themselves and directly influences their speed and stability. This voltage must meet the electrical requirements of the memory cells and the control logic. As the frame buffer and the memory logic work closely together, MSVDD and FBVDD are coordinated to ensure efficient exchange of image data. The separate regulation enables the voltages to be specifically adapted to the respective requirements. In any case, the custom board differs significantly from the reference design of the RTX 5070 Ti and the Founders Edition. We see 18 control circuits, which are divided as follows: 11x NVVDD (core, 0.8 to 1.1 V), 4x MSVDD (memory, 0.8 to 1.1 V) and 3x FBVDD (frame buffer, 0.9 to 1.24 V), supplemented by other smaller voltages.

The power supply of the MSI GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Vanguard SOC is based on the precise coordination of various control and power components. The MP29816, this time positioned on the back of the board, acts as a sophisticated PWM controller for the voltage regulation of the GPU core voltage (NVVDD) as well as the memory (MSVDD) and frame buffer voltage (FBVDD). These components are essential for the stability and efficiency of the graphics card as they carry the main load of the GPU and memory. The MP29816 controls a multiphase system (IntelliPhase) that distributes the electrical and thermal load evenly and ensures precise voltage regulation.

The actual power regulation is carried out in the more heavily loaded control circuits by the MP87993 DrMOS modules from Monolith. These modules convert the signals controlled by the PWM controller into the required output voltages. They integrate high-side and low-side MOSFETs as well as the associated gate drivers in a compact housing and are designed to efficiently process the high currents of NVVDD, FBVDD and MSVDD rails. Their design not only reduces switching losses, but also enables a space-saving PCB architecture. In addition, integrated protection mechanisms such as temperature and short-circuit protection ensure increased operational safety.

A look at the back of the board reveals little that is surprising. Like NVIDIA, MSI has only installed MLCCs under the GPU socket instead of polymer capacitors, which I have already discussed in the past. In addition to the fuse and the shunt for the PEG, the large PWM controller for NVVDD and MSVDD as well as a separate, smaller controller for FBVDD can be found here. The layout is completed by the obligatory supervisor chip for power monitoring.

The board also contains the NCP45492, a monolithic high-performance IC specially designed for the simultaneous monitoring of bus voltages and currents on up to four high-voltage power supplies. Its key features include precise translation and scaling of shunt and bus voltages, enabling accurate measurement of supply currents. By supporting up to four separate power supplies with just one device, the chip offers high flexibility in voltage monitoring.

Each of the four channels can be individually adapted by selecting external resistors, allowing precise adjustment to specific requirements. The device is also characterized by a fast settling time, which minimizes delays in voltage monitoring. A real-time display of the validity of all bus voltages ensures that critical voltage deviations can be detected immediately. These features make the NCP45492 particularly suitable as a supervisor for the 12V lines (12V2X6 and PEG) of the power supply, as it ensures reliable control and protection of these central supply rails.

Criticism of the power monitoring on the connector

A critical point in the power supply of the RTX 5070 Ti Vanguard SOC is the handling of the 12V2X6 connector, especially with regard to the safety mechanisms. NVIDIA has opted for a single measurement of the entire 12V2X6 current on the reference board, which means that the card considers all lines of the connector as a single rail. However, this design decision has significant safety limitations and is clearly the responsibility of NVIDIA and not the board partners.

Since the current is not recorded for each individual line, a possible overload within the connector remains unnoticed. If one of the 12V lines is loaded more heavily than the others – for example due to unequal contacting or varying resistances within the connector – local overheating can occur without this being detected or regulated by the card’s monitoring mechanisms. This reduces the protective effect against thermal problems and potentially increases the risk of damage due to excessive contact resistance or inadequate load distribution.

Although MSI relies on a powerful power supply with the custom board, it remains bound to the specifications of the reference design. However, the fundamental weakness of this concept lies in NVIDIA’s decision to forego differentiated monitoring of the individual 12V lines. A more granular measurement that works per line and detects irregularities at an early stage would have been a much safer solution. Instead, the current implementation falls short of the possibilities and represents an avoidable restriction of security.

Here is a high-resolution microscopy view of all the important components:

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The cooler

The rear backplate is made of aluminum and has a thermal pad that helps to cool the area under the GPU. However, this is not the optimal location for effective heat dissipation. Further details on this can be found in the section on thermography, as the actual hotspot is in a different location. In addition to mechanical stabilization, the backplate still contributes to cooling, even if its efficiency is limited. In combination with the central aluminum frame, the structural strength of the card is further improved, ensuring reliable operation under high load.

The generously dimensioned cooler of the MSI GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Vanguard SOC has been designed for maximum efficiency and quiet operation. This is achieved through the use of advanced technologies and high-quality materials. At the center of the cooling system is an integrated vapor chamber, which acts as the primary element for heat dissipation. It transports the waste heat directly from the GPU and the VRAM to six specially shaped core pipes. These square heat pipes improve thermal contact and ensure even heat distribution. The heat is then dissipated via a precision-engineered fin network. In combination with Wave Curved 4.0 technology, the airflow is optimized and flow turbulence is reduced.

The cooler’s fans, known as StormForce Fans, are each equipped with seven optimized fan blades, which are specially textured to ensure maximum airflow while reducing noise. In addition, the Zero-Frozr function offers the option of stopping the fans completely at low loads to enable silent operation. Another design element are the thermal pads, which I will discuss in more detail later, which ensure additional heat dissipation from critical components such as the voltage converters.

The cooling system of the MSI GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Vanguard SOC represents a consistent further development and is largely identical to that of the SUPRIM. And yes, the radiator cover of the Vanguard SOC is also supplemented by LED elements, which actively support cooling, especially when they shine in deep blue. Not.