GeForce RTX 3070 vs GeForce RTX 5060

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3070

2020Core: 1500 MHzBoost: 1725 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 5060

2025Core: 2280 MHzBoost: 2497 MHz

Popular choices:

RTX 3070

Performance Spectrum - GPU

About G3D Mark

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

  • 7.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • 53.3% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (184 vs 120).

Trade-offs

  • No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025).
  • Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 5060 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
  • 66.9% HIGHER MSRP
    $499 MSRPvs$299 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 44.4 vs 69.7 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
  • 51.7% higher power demand at 220W vs 145W.

GeForce RTX 5060

2025

Why buy it

  • Costs $200 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
  • Delivers 56.8% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 69.7 vs 44.4 G3D/$ ($299 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
  • Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025).
  • More future proof: Blackwell 2.0 (2025−2026) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
  • Draws 145W instead of 220W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3070 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (120 vs 184), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3070 better than GeForce RTX 5060?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3070 is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce RTX 3070 averages 7.0% more FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 22,172 vs 20,836 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3070 is a 2020 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while GeForce RTX 5060 is a 2025 model from an older generation with DLSS 4 + Multi Frame Gen. 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 5060 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2025 generation instead of 2020, better upscaling support with DLSS 4 Super Resolution (2025) instead of DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) and better frame-generation support with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025) instead of DLSS Super Resolution, and a 5nm process instead of 8nm. That broader feature stack should age better as more games lean on modern upscaling and frame-generation support.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?
GeForce RTX 3070 is still the better GPU overall, but GeForce RTX 5060 is probably the smarter buy today for most people. GeForce RTX 3070 is about 66.9% more expensive on MSRP at $499 MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and you are getting 7.0% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and 6.4% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 5060 still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium. Paying about 66.9% more on MSRP for only 7.0% more estimated average FPS is just a weak value trade on paper.
When does GeForce RTX 5060 make more sense than GeForce RTX 3070?
Yes. GeForce RTX 5060 is still a very sensible gaming buy in 2026: it is excellent for 1080p, very strong for 1440p, and still capable at 4K with sensible settings or upscaling. Around $299 MSRP, you are saving about $200 on MSRP and only giving up lower estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. GeForce RTX 5060 still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium.

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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5060
1080p
low158 FPS176 FPS
medium140 FPS161 FPS
high123 FPS141 FPS
ultra104 FPS123 FPS
1440p
low134 FPS141 FPS
medium109 FPS117 FPS
high96 FPS101 FPS
ultra86 FPS93 FPS
4K
low80 FPS92 FPS
medium67 FPS78 FPS
high52 FPS66 FPS
ultra45 FPS59 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5060
1080p
low470 FPS378 FPS
medium405 FPS322 FPS
high327 FPS256 FPS
ultra277 FPS205 FPS
1440p
low294 FPS237 FPS
medium246 FPS206 FPS
high213 FPS166 FPS
ultra179 FPS134 FPS
4K
low141 FPS117 FPS
medium120 FPS97 FPS
high105 FPS80 FPS
ultra83 FPS62 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5060
1080p
low885 FPS835 FPS
medium712 FPS676 FPS
high619 FPS594 FPS
ultra499 FPS469 FPS
1440p
low692 FPS639 FPS
medium557 FPS516 FPS
high473 FPS443 FPS
ultra374 FPS352 FPS
4K
low479 FPS422 FPS
medium388 FPS339 FPS
high330 FPS289 FPS
ultra249 FPS234 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5060
1080p
low600 FPS743 FPS
medium527 FPS608 FPS
high433 FPS532 FPS
ultra385 FPS469 FPS
1440p
low489 FPS600 FPS
medium433 FPS490 FPS
high339 FPS424 FPS
ultra297 FPS352 FPS
4K
low292 FPS362 FPS
medium270 FPS310 FPS
high238 FPS287 FPS
ultra200 FPS234 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3070 and GeForce RTX 5060

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 5060

The GeForce RTX 5060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 19 2025. It features the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 2280 MHz to 2497 MHz. It has 3840 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 145W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 30 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 20,836 points. Launch price was $299.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3070 scores 22,172 versus the GeForce RTX 5060's 20,836 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 6.4%. The GeForce RTX 3070 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 5060 uses Blackwell 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 3,840 (GeForce RTX 5060). Raw compute: 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 19.18 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 5060). Boost clocks: 1725 MHz vs 2497 MHz. Ray tracing: 46 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 30 (GeForce RTX 5060) with 184 Tensor cores vs 120.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5060
G3D Mark Score
22,172+6%
20,836
Architecture
Ampere
Blackwell 2.0
Process Node
8 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
5888+53%
3840
Compute (TFLOPS)
20.31 TFLOPS+6%
19.18 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1725 MHz
2497 MHz+45%
ROPs
96+100%
48
TMUs
184+53%
120
L1 Cache
5.8 MB+53%
3.8 MB
L2 Cache
4 MB
32 MB+700%
Ray Tracing Cores
46+53%
30
Tensor Cores
184+53%
120

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 5060 is support for DLSS 4 Multi 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 5060 supports the newer DLSS 4 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 3070 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5060
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
DLSS 4 Super Resolution
Frame Generation
Not Supported
DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction
No
Yes (DLSS 4)
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 8 GB of video memory. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 32 MB (GeForce RTX 5060) — the GeForce RTX 5060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5060
VRAM Capacity
8 GB
8 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR7
Memory Bandwidth
448 GB/s
448 GB/s
Bus Width
256-bit+100%
128-bit
L2 Cache
4 MB
32 MB+700%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 5060). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5060
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.4
1.4
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3070) vs NVENC 9th gen (GeForce RTX 5060). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC 6th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 5060).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5060
Encoder
NVENC 7th gen
NVENC 9th gen
Decoder
NVDEC 5th gen
NVDEC 6th gen
Codecs
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3070 draws 220W versus the GeForce RTX 5060's 145W — a 41.1% difference. The GeForce RTX 5060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 5060). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 241mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 65°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5060
TDP
220W
145W-34%
Recommended PSU
650W
450W-31%
Power Connector
8-pin
8-pin
Length
242mm
241mm
Height
112mm
111mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
75°C
65°C-13%
Perf/Watt
100.8
143.7+43%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 5060 launched at $299. The GeForce RTX 5060 costs 40.1% less ($200 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 44.4 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 69.7 (GeForce RTX 5060) — the GeForce RTX 5060 offers 57% better value. The GeForce RTX 5060 is the newer GPU (2025 vs 2020).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5060
MSRP
$499
$299-40%
Performance per Dollar
44.4
69.7+57%
Codename
GA104
GB206
Release
September 1 2020
May 19 2025
Ranking
#63
#69