GeForce RTX 3070 vs RTX 4000 Ada Generation

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3070

2020Core: 1500 MHzBoost: 1725 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
NVIDIA

RTX 4000 Ada Generation

2023Core: 1500 MHzBoost: 1560 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

  • 31.2% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Costs $1,500 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
  • Delivers 269.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.4 vs 12.0 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
  • 300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 2 GB).
  • Measures 242mm instead of 267mm, a 25mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (22,172 vs 24,046).
  • No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • Weaker long-term outlook: RTX 4000 Ada Generation is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
  • 214.3% higher power demand at 220W vs 70W.

RTX 4000 Ada Generation

2023

Why buy it

  • +8.5% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
  • Draws 70W instead of 220W, a 150W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3070 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 300.6% HIGHER MSRP
    $1,999 MSRPvs$499 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 12.0 vs 44.4 G3D/$ ($1,999 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
  • 10.3% longer card at 267mm vs 242mm.

Quick Answers

So, is RTX 4000 Ada Generation better than GeForce RTX 3070?
Yes. RTX 4000 Ada Generation is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 8.5% higher PassMark G3D performance and 192 vs 184 Tensor cores. It also comes from 2023 instead of 2020, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
RTX 4000 Ada Generation is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2023 generation instead of 2020, 8.5% more raw performance headroom, 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, 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?
RTX 4000 Ada Generation is about 300.6% more expensive on MSRP at $1,999 MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and you are getting lower estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and 8.5% 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, RTX 4000 Ada Generation 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, RTX 4000 Ada Generation 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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3070RTX 4000 Ada Generation
1080p
low158 FPS123 FPS
medium140 FPS115 FPS
high123 FPS96 FPS
ultra104 FPS83 FPS
1440p
low134 FPS102 FPS
medium109 FPS89 FPS
high96 FPS72 FPS
ultra86 FPS63 FPS
4K
low80 FPS56 FPS
medium67 FPS50 FPS
high52 FPS39 FPS
ultra45 FPS36 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3070RTX 4000 Ada Generation
1080p
low470 FPS495 FPS
medium405 FPS418 FPS
high327 FPS328 FPS
ultra277 FPS283 FPS
1440p
low294 FPS338 FPS
medium246 FPS279 FPS
high213 FPS227 FPS
ultra179 FPS190 FPS
4K
low141 FPS165 FPS
medium120 FPS138 FPS
high105 FPS120 FPS
ultra83 FPS97 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3070RTX 4000 Ada Generation
1080p
low885 FPS549 FPS
medium712 FPS468 FPS
high619 FPS396 FPS
ultra499 FPS333 FPS
1440p
low692 FPS434 FPS
medium557 FPS367 FPS
high473 FPS315 FPS
ultra374 FPS260 FPS
4K
low479 FPS271 FPS
medium388 FPS225 FPS
high330 FPS187 FPS
ultra249 FPS149 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3070RTX 4000 Ada Generation
1080p
low600 FPS401 FPS
medium527 FPS332 FPS
high433 FPS301 FPS
ultra385 FPS277 FPS
1440p
low489 FPS313 FPS
medium433 FPS261 FPS
high339 FPS236 FPS
ultra297 FPS214 FPS
4K
low292 FPS179 FPS
medium270 FPS156 FPS
high238 FPS142 FPS
ultra200 FPS123 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3070 and RTX 4000 Ada Generation

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

RTX 4000 Ada Generation

The RTX 4000 Ada Generation is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 9 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1500 MHz to 1560 MHz. It has 6144 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 48 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 24,046 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3070 scores 22,172 versus the RTX 4000 Ada Generation's 24,046 — the RTX 4000 Ada Generation leads by 8.5%. The GeForce RTX 3070 is built on Ampere while the RTX 4000 Ada Generation uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 6,144 (RTX 4000 Ada Generation). Raw compute: 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 26.73 TFLOPS (RTX 4000 Ada Generation). Boost clocks: 1725 MHz vs 1560 MHz. Ray tracing: 46 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 48 (RTX 4000 Ada Generation) with 184 Tensor cores vs 192.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070RTX 4000 Ada Generation
G3D Mark Score
22,172
24,046+8%
Architecture
Ampere
Ada Lovelace
Process Node
8 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
5888
6144+4%
Compute (TFLOPS)
20.31 TFLOPS
26.73 TFLOPS+32%
Boost Clock
1725 MHz+11%
1560 MHz
ROPs
96+50%
64
TMUs
184
192+4%
L1 Cache
5.8 MB
6 MB+3%
L2 Cache
4 MB
48 MB+1100%
Ray Tracing Cores
46
48+4%
Tensor Cores
184
192+4%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the RTX 4000 Ada Generation 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 RTX 4000 Ada Generation supports the newer DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 3070 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070RTX 4000 Ada Generation
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 RTX 4000 Ada Generation has 2 GB. The GeForce RTX 3070 offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 360 GB/s (RTX 4000 Ada Generation) — a 24.4% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3070. Bus width: 256-bit vs 160-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 48 MB (RTX 4000 Ada Generation) — the RTX 4000 Ada Generation has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070RTX 4000 Ada Generation
VRAM Capacity
8 GB+300%
2 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6 ECC
Memory Bandwidth
448 GB/s+24%
360 GB/s
Bus Width
256-bit+60%
160-bit
L2 Cache
4 MB
48 MB+1100%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 12.2 (RTX 4000 Ada Generation). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070RTX 4000 Ada Generation
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 (3x) (RTX 4000 Ada Generation). 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 (RTX 4000 Ada Generation).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070RTX 4000 Ada Generation
Encoder
NVENC 7th gen
8th Gen NVENC (3x)
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 RTX 4000 Ada Generation's 70W — a 103.4% difference. The RTX 4000 Ada Generation is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 750W (RTX 4000 Ada Generation). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 1x 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070RTX 4000 Ada Generation
TDP
220W
70W-68%
Recommended PSU
650W-13%
750W
Power Connector
8-pin
1x 8-pin
Length
242mm
267mm
Height
112mm
111mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
75°C-6%
80°C
Perf/Watt
100.8
343.5+241%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499 MSRP, while the RTX 4000 Ada Generation launched at $1999. The GeForce RTX 3070 costs 75% less ($1500 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 44.4 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 12.0 (RTX 4000 Ada Generation) — the GeForce RTX 3070 offers 270% better value. The RTX 4000 Ada Generation is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2020).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070RTX 4000 Ada Generation
MSRP
$499-75%
$1999
Performance per Dollar
44.4+270%
12.0
Codename
GA104
AD104
Release
September 1 2020
August 9 2023
Ranking
#63
#47