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 $1,100 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 86.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.4 vs 23.8 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅Draws 220W instead of 450W, a 230W reduction.
✅Measures 242mm instead of 304mm, a 62mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4090 across 32 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 24 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 4090 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.

GeForce RTX 4090

2022

Why buy it

✅54.9% more average FPS across 32 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 8 GB).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌
220.4% HIGHER MSRP
$1,599 MSRPvs$499 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 23.8 vs 44.4 G3D/$ ($1,599 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
❌104.5% higher power demand at 450W vs 220W.
❌25.6% longer card at 304mm vs 242mm.

GeForce RTX 3070

2020

GeForce RTX 4090

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,100 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 86.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.4 vs 23.8 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅Draws 220W instead of 450W, a 230W reduction.
✅Measures 242mm instead of 304mm, a 62mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Why buy it

✅54.9% more average FPS across 32 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 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 4090 across 32 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 24 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 4090 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.

Trade-offs

❌
220.4% HIGHER MSRP
$1,599 MSRPvs$499 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 23.8 vs 44.4 G3D/$ ($1,599 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
❌104.5% higher power demand at 450W vs 220W.
❌25.6% longer card at 304mm vs 242mm.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4090 better than GeForce RTX 3070?

Yes. GeForce RTX 4090 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 54.9% more average FPS across 32 tracked games in our benchmark data, 71.9% higher PassMark G3D performance, 512 vs 184 Tensor cores, and 24 GB vs 8 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2022 instead of 2020, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.

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

GeForce RTX 4090 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2022 generation instead of 2020, 71.9% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 24 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 4090 is about 220.4% more expensive on MSRP at $1,599 MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and you are getting 54.9% more estimated average FPS across 32 tracked games in our benchmark data and 71.9% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 3070 still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium. If you are comfortable paying the premium for the stronger gaming result, GeForce RTX 4090 is the one to buy. If staying closer to budget matters more, GeForce RTX 3070 still makes more sense on price alone and remains capable enough for modern gaming.

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

Yes. GeForce RTX 3070 is still a strong gaming GPU in 2026: it is excellent for 1080p, very strong for 1440p, and still capable at 4K with sensible settings or upscaling. This mostly comes down to price. If you want to stay closer to $499 MSRP, it remains a strong choice; if you are comfortable paying more, GeForce RTX 4090 earns that extra money with a clearly stronger gaming result and a more complete overall package.

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 4090 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4090
1080p
low	158 FPS	283 FPS
medium	140 FPS	262 FPS
high	123 FPS	224 FPS
ultra	104 FPS	196 FPS
1440p
low	134 FPS	261 FPS
medium	109 FPS	217 FPS
high	96 FPS	173 FPS
ultra	86 FPS	156 FPS
4K
low	80 FPS	180 FPS
medium	67 FPS	149 FPS
high	52 FPS	114 FPS
ultra	45 FPS	102 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3070 Open GeForce RTX 4090

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4090
1080p
low	470 FPS	910 FPS
medium	405 FPS	726 FPS
high	327 FPS	567 FPS
ultra	277 FPS	478 FPS
1440p
low	294 FPS	728 FPS
medium	246 FPS	607 FPS
high	213 FPS	494 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	397 FPS
4K
low	141 FPS	396 FPS
medium	120 FPS	335 FPS
high	105 FPS	309 FPS
ultra	83 FPS	265 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3070 Open GeForce RTX 4090

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4090
1080p
low	885 FPS	944 FPS
medium	712 FPS	772 FPS
high	619 FPS	699 FPS
ultra	499 FPS	604 FPS
1440p
low	692 FPS	731 FPS
medium	557 FPS	598 FPS
high	473 FPS	529 FPS
ultra	374 FPS	452 FPS
4K
low	479 FPS	506 FPS
medium	388 FPS	419 FPS
high	330 FPS	377 FPS
ultra	249 FPS	317 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3070 Open GeForce RTX 4090

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4090
1080p
low	600 FPS	999 FPS
medium	527 FPS	971 FPS
high	433 FPS	855 FPS
ultra	385 FPS	764 FPS
1440p
low	489 FPS	830 FPS
medium	433 FPS	728 FPS
high	339 FPS	641 FPS
ultra	297 FPS	561 FPS
4K
low	292 FPS	606 FPS
medium	270 FPS	538 FPS
high	238 FPS	480 FPS
ultra	200 FPS	420 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3070 Open GeForce RTX 4090

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3070 and GeForce RTX 4090

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 4090

The GeForce RTX 4090 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 20 2022. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2235 MHz to 2520 MHz. It has 16384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 450W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 128 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 38,112 points. Launch price was $1,599.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3070 scores 22,172 versus the GeForce RTX 4090's 38,112 — the GeForce RTX 4090 leads by 71.9%. The GeForce RTX 3070 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 4090 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 16,384 (GeForce RTX 4090). Raw compute: 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 82.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4090). Boost clocks: 1725 MHz vs 2520 MHz. Ray tracing: 46 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 128 (GeForce RTX 4090) with 184 Tensor cores vs 512.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4090
G3D Mark Score	22,172	38,112+72%
Architecture	Ampere	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	5888	16384+178%
Compute (TFLOPS)	20.31 TFLOPS	82.58 TFLOPS+307%
Boost Clock	1725 MHz	2520 MHz+46%
ROPs	96	176+83%
TMUs	184	512+178%
L1 Cache	5.8 MB	16 MB+176%
L2 Cache	4 MB	72 MB+1700%
Ray Tracing Cores	46	128+178%
Tensor Cores	184	512+178%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090 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 4090 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 4090
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 4090 has 24 GB. The GeForce RTX 4090 offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 1008 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4090) — a 125% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090. Bus width: 256-bit vs 384-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 72 MB (GeForce RTX 4090) — the GeForce RTX 4090 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4090
VRAM Capacity	8 GB	24 GB+200%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	448 GB/s	1008 GB/s+125%
Bus Width	256-bit	384-bit+50%
L2 Cache	4 MB	72 MB+1700%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4090). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4090
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 4090). 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 4090).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4090
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 4090's 450W — a 68.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 3070 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 1000W (GeForce RTX 4090). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 16-pin (12VHPWR). Card length: 242mm vs 304mm, occupying 2 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	GeForce RTX 4090
TDP	220W-51%	450W
Recommended PSU	650W-35%	1000W
Power Connector	8-pin	16-pin (12VHPWR)
Length	242mm	304mm
Height	112mm	137mm
Slots	2-33%	3
Temp (Load)	75°C-6%	80°C
Perf/Watt	100.8+19%	84.7

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 4090 launched at $1599. The GeForce RTX 3070 costs 68.8% less ($1100 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 44.4 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 23.8 (GeForce RTX 4090) — the GeForce RTX 3070 offers 86.6% better value. The GeForce RTX 4090 is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2020).