G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce RTX 2070

2018

Why buy it

✅56.5% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (288 vs 184).
✅Draws 175W instead of 220W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (16,068 vs 22,172).
❌Limited future-proofing: older hardware, 8 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in upcoming AAA games.
❌
20% HIGHER MSRP
$599 MSRPvs$499 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 26.8 vs 44.4 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
❌10.3% longer card at 267mm vs 242mm.

GeForce RTX 3070

2020

Why buy it

✅+38% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 65.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.4 vs 26.8 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Measures 242mm instead of 267mm, a 25mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (184 vs 288), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌25.7% higher power demand at 220W vs 175W.

GeForce RTX 2070

2018

GeForce RTX 3070

2020

Why buy it

✅56.5% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (288 vs 184).
✅Draws 175W instead of 220W, a 45W reduction.

Why buy it

✅+38% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 65.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.4 vs 26.8 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Measures 242mm instead of 267mm, a 25mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (16,068 vs 22,172).
❌Limited future-proofing: older hardware, 8 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in upcoming AAA games.
❌
20% HIGHER MSRP
$599 MSRPvs$499 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 26.8 vs 44.4 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
❌10.3% longer card at 267mm vs 242mm.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (184 vs 288), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌25.7% higher power demand at 220W vs 175W.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3070 better than GeForce RTX 2070?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3070 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 38% higher PassMark G3D performance. It also comes from 2020 instead of 2018, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 3070 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2020 generation instead of 2018, 38.0% more raw performance headroom, 27.8% more ray-tracing hardware, and a 8nm process instead of 12nm. That extra performance headroom should help it hold higher settings and newer game demands for longer.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce RTX 3070 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 3070 is about $100 cheaper on MSRP at $499 MSRP versus $599 MSRP, and you are getting 38.0% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 65.6%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is GeForce RTX 2070 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. GeForce RTX 2070 is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around $599 MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 3070 is still the cleaner recommendation on overall value today.

Games Benchmarks

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 9800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

GeForce RTX 2070 Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3070 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 2070	GeForce RTX 3070
1080p
low	193 FPS	158 FPS
medium	174 FPS	140 FPS
high	150 FPS	123 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	104 FPS
1440p
low	164 FPS	134 FPS
medium	134 FPS	109 FPS
high	113 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	91 FPS	86 FPS
4K
low	81 FPS	80 FPS
medium	68 FPS	67 FPS
high	52 FPS	52 FPS
ultra	45 FPS	45 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 2070 Open GeForce RTX 3070

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 2070	GeForce RTX 3070
1080p
low	327 FPS	470 FPS
medium	272 FPS	405 FPS
high	221 FPS	327 FPS
ultra	187 FPS	277 FPS
1440p
low	218 FPS	294 FPS
medium	177 FPS	246 FPS
high	145 FPS	213 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	179 FPS
4K
low	120 FPS	141 FPS
medium	100 FPS	120 FPS
high	79 FPS	105 FPS
ultra	60 FPS	83 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 2070 Open GeForce RTX 3070

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 2070	GeForce RTX 3070
1080p
low	723 FPS	885 FPS
medium	578 FPS	712 FPS
high	482 FPS	619 FPS
ultra	362 FPS	499 FPS
1440p
low	542 FPS	692 FPS
medium	434 FPS	557 FPS
high	362 FPS	473 FPS
ultra	271 FPS	374 FPS
4K
low	362 FPS	479 FPS
medium	289 FPS	388 FPS
high	241 FPS	330 FPS
ultra	181 FPS	249 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 2070 Open GeForce RTX 3070

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 2070	GeForce RTX 3070
1080p
low	472 FPS	600 FPS
medium	401 FPS	527 FPS
high	320 FPS	433 FPS
ultra	275 FPS	385 FPS
1440p
low	385 FPS	489 FPS
medium	332 FPS	433 FPS
high	254 FPS	339 FPS
ultra	209 FPS	297 FPS
4K
low	220 FPS	292 FPS
medium	182 FPS	270 FPS
high	168 FPS	238 FPS
ultra	131 FPS	200 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 2070 Open GeForce RTX 3070

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 2070 and GeForce RTX 3070

GeForce RTX 2070

The GeForce RTX 2070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 17 2018. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1410 MHz to 1620 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 175W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 36 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,068 points. Launch price was $499.

GeForce RTX 3070

The GeForce RTX 3070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1500 MHz to 1725 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 220W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 22,172 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 2070 scores 16,068 versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 22,172 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 38%. The GeForce RTX 2070 is built on Turing while the GeForce RTX 3070 uses Ampere, both on 12 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 2070) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070). Raw compute: 7.465 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2070) vs 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070). Boost clocks: 1620 MHz vs 1725 MHz. Ray tracing: 36 RT cores (GeForce RTX 2070) vs 46 (GeForce RTX 3070) with 288 Tensor cores vs 184.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2070	GeForce RTX 3070
G3D Mark Score	16,068	22,172+38%
Architecture	Turing	Ampere
Process Node	12 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2304	5888+156%
Compute (TFLOPS)	7.465 TFLOPS	20.31 TFLOPS+172%
Boost Clock	1620 MHz	1725 MHz+6%
ROPs	64	96+50%
TMUs	144	184+28%
L1 Cache	2.3 MB	5.8 MB+152%
L2 Cache	4 MB	4 MB
Ray Tracing Cores	36	46+28%
Tensor Cores	288+57%	184

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 2070	GeForce RTX 3070
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 8 GB of GDDR6. Bus width: 256-bit vs 256-bit.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2070	GeForce RTX 3070
VRAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	448 GB/s	448 GB/s
Bus Width	256-bit	256-bit
L2 Cache	4 MB	4 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce RTX 2070) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2070	GeForce RTX 3070
DirectX	12.1	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.4+8%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 6.0 (GeForce RTX 2070) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3070). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP9 vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (GeForce RTX 2070) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070).

Feature	GeForce RTX 2070	GeForce RTX 3070
Encoder	NVENC 6.0	NVENC 7th gen
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP9	NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 2070 draws 175W versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 220W — a 22.8% difference. The GeForce RTX 2070 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 2070) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 3070). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2070	GeForce RTX 3070
TDP	175W-20%	220W
Recommended PSU	550W-15%	650W
Power Connector	8-pin	8-pin
Length	267mm	242mm
Height	112mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	80°C	75°C-6%
Perf/Watt	91.8	100.8+10%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 2070 launched at $599 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499. The GeForce RTX 3070 costs 16.7% less ($100 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 26.8 (GeForce RTX 2070) vs 44.4 (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce RTX 3070 offers 65.7% better value. The GeForce RTX 3070 is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2018).