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 3070

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Measures 242mm instead of 304mm, a 62mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4070 across 13 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 4070 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.

GeForce RTX 4070

2023

Why buy it

✅9.4% more average FPS across 13 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌25.6% longer card at 304mm vs 242mm.

GeForce RTX 3070

2020

GeForce RTX 4070

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Measures 242mm instead of 304mm, a 62mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Why buy it

✅9.4% more average FPS across 13 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4070 across 13 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 4070 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.

Trade-offs

❌25.6% longer card at 304mm vs 242mm.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4070 better than GeForce RTX 3070?

Yes. GeForce RTX 4070 is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce RTX 4070 averages 9.4% more FPS across 13 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 26,919 vs 22,172 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 4070 is a 2023 card with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation, while GeForce RTX 3070 is a 2020 model from an older generation with DLSS Super Resolution. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.

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

GeForce RTX 4070 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2023 generation instead of 2020, 21.4% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 8 GB, and better upscaling support with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) instead of DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) and better frame-generation support with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023) instead of DLSS Super Resolution. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.

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

GeForce RTX 4070 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 4070 is about 20.0% more expensive on MSRP at $599 MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and you are getting 9.4% more estimated average FPS across 13 tracked games in our benchmark data and 21.4% higher G3D Mark. It only holds a slight 1.1% edge in G3D-per-dollar, so the value lead is real but narrow. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is GeForce RTX 3070 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3070 is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is excellent for 1080p, very strong for 1440p, and still capable at 4K with sensible settings or upscaling. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around $499 MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 4070 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 3070 Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 4070 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low	158 FPS	183 FPS
medium	140 FPS	167 FPS
high	123 FPS	151 FPS
ultra	104 FPS	131 FPS
1440p
low	134 FPS	150 FPS
medium	109 FPS	124 FPS
high	96 FPS	110 FPS
ultra	86 FPS	101 FPS
4K
low	80 FPS	92 FPS
medium	67 FPS	78 FPS
high	52 FPS	65 FPS
ultra	45 FPS	58 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3070 Open GeForce RTX 4070

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low	470 FPS	544 FPS
medium	405 FPS	454 FPS
high	327 FPS	353 FPS
ultra	277 FPS	299 FPS
1440p
low	294 FPS	351 FPS
medium	246 FPS	288 FPS
high	213 FPS	235 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	197 FPS
4K
low	141 FPS	172 FPS
medium	120 FPS	144 FPS
high	105 FPS	125 FPS
ultra	83 FPS	101 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3070 Open GeForce RTX 4070

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low	885 FPS	884 FPS
medium	712 FPS	713 FPS
high	619 FPS	643 FPS
ultra	499 FPS	569 FPS
1440p
low	692 FPS	684 FPS
medium	557 FPS	549 FPS
high	473 FPS	483 FPS
ultra	374 FPS	424 FPS
4K
low	479 FPS	467 FPS
medium	388 FPS	373 FPS
high	330 FPS	326 FPS
ultra	249 FPS	277 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3070 Open GeForce RTX 4070

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low	600 FPS	751 FPS
medium	527 FPS	612 FPS
high	433 FPS	536 FPS
ultra	385 FPS	497 FPS
1440p
low	489 FPS	615 FPS
medium	433 FPS	500 FPS
high	339 FPS	433 FPS
ultra	297 FPS	395 FPS
4K
low	292 FPS	384 FPS
medium	270 FPS	324 FPS
high	238 FPS	301 FPS
ultra	200 FPS	272 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3070 Open GeForce RTX 4070

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3070 and GeForce RTX 4070

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.

GeForce RTX 4070

The GeForce RTX 4070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in April 12 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1920 MHz to 2475 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,919 points. Launch price was $599.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3070 scores 22,172 versus the GeForce RTX 4070's 26,919 — the GeForce RTX 4070 leads by 21.4%. The GeForce RTX 3070 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 4070 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 4070). Raw compute: 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 29.15 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4070). Boost clocks: 1725 MHz vs 2475 MHz. Ray tracing: 46 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 46 (GeForce RTX 4070) with 184 Tensor cores vs 184.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4070
G3D Mark Score	22,172	26,919+21%
Architecture	Ampere	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	5888	5888
Compute (TFLOPS)	20.31 TFLOPS	29.15 TFLOPS+44%
Boost Clock	1725 MHz	2475 MHz+43%
ROPs	96+50%	64
TMUs	184	184
L1 Cache	5.8 MB	5.8 MB
L2 Cache	4 MB	36 MB+800%
Ray Tracing Cores	46	46
Tensor Cores	184	184

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4070 is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce RTX 3070 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 4070 supports the newer DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 3070 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4070
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction	No	Yes (DLSS 3.5)
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3070 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4070 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 4070 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 504 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4070) — a 12.5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4070. Bus width: 256-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 36 MB (GeForce RTX 4070) — the GeForce RTX 4070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4070
VRAM Capacity	8 GB	12 GB+50%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	448 GB/s	504 GB/s+13%
Bus Width	256-bit+33%	192-bit
L2 Cache	4 MB	36 MB+800%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4070). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4070
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.4+8%	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4070). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4070).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4070
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	8th Gen NVENC (2x)
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3070 draws 220W versus the GeForce RTX 4070's 200W — a 9.5% difference. The GeForce RTX 4070 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 4070). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 304mm, occupying 2 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4070
TDP	220W	200W-9%
Recommended PSU	650W	650W
Power Connector	8-pin	8-pin
Length	242mm	304mm
Height	112mm	137mm
Slots	2-33%	3
Temp (Load)	75°C-6%	80°C
Perf/Watt	100.8	134.6+34%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 4070 launched at $599. The GeForce RTX 3070 costs 16.7% less ($100 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 44.4 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 44.9 (GeForce RTX 4070) — the GeForce RTX 4070 offers 1.1% better value. The GeForce RTX 4070 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2020).