GeForce GTX 1070 vs GeForce RTX 4070

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1070

2016Core: 1506 MHzBoost: 1683 MHz

Popular choices:

RTX 4070
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4070

2023Core: 1920 MHzBoost: 2475 MHz

Popular choices:

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 GTX 1070

2016

Why buy it

  • Costs $220 less on MSRP ($379 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
  • Draws 150W instead of 200W, a 50W reduction.
  • Measures 267mm instead of 304mm, a 37mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4070 across 44 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).
  • Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 8 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 35.6 vs 44.9 G3D/$ ($379 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 4070

2023

Why buy it

  • 67.0% more average FPS across 44 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 26.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.9 vs 35.6 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $379 MSRP).
  • 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

  • 33.3% higher power demand at 200W vs 150W.
  • 13.9% longer card at 304mm vs 267mm.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4070 better than GeForce GTX 1070?
Yes. GeForce RTX 4070 is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce RTX 4070 averages 67.0% more FPS across 44 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 26,919 vs 13,507 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 4070 is a 2023 card with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation, while GeForce GTX 1070 is a 2016 model from an older generation with no meaningful modern upscaling stack. 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 2016, 99.3% 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 no meaningful modern upscaling stack and better frame-generation support with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. 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 by a wide margin. GeForce RTX 4070 is about 58.0% more expensive on MSRP at $599 MSRP versus $379 MSRP, and you are getting 67.0% more estimated average FPS across 44 tracked games in our benchmark data and 99.3% higher G3D Mark. GeForce GTX 1070 really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.
Is GeForce GTX 1070 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
No, not for a fresh gaming build. GeForce GTX 1070 is 2016 hardware with 8 GB of VRAM, 13,507 in G3D Mark, and no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That is simply too far behind to be an easy modern recommendation.

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 GTX 1070GeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low143 FPS183 FPS
medium128 FPS167 FPS
high111 FPS151 FPS
ultra93 FPS131 FPS
1440p
low123 FPS150 FPS
medium103 FPS124 FPS
high89 FPS110 FPS
ultra78 FPS101 FPS
4K
low65 FPS92 FPS
medium57 FPS78 FPS
high39 FPS65 FPS
ultra33 FPS58 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce GTX 1070GeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low210 FPS544 FPS
medium176 FPS454 FPS
high145 FPS353 FPS
ultra110 FPS299 FPS
1440p
low132 FPS351 FPS
medium106 FPS288 FPS
high86 FPS235 FPS
ultra67 FPS197 FPS
4K
low61 FPS172 FPS
medium51 FPS144 FPS
high48 FPS125 FPS
ultra41 FPS101 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce GTX 1070GeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low608 FPS884 FPS
medium486 FPS713 FPS
high405 FPS643 FPS
ultra304 FPS569 FPS
1440p
low456 FPS684 FPS
medium365 FPS549 FPS
high304 FPS483 FPS
ultra228 FPS424 FPS
4K
low304 FPS467 FPS
medium243 FPS373 FPS
high203 FPS326 FPS
ultra152 FPS277 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce GTX 1070GeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low395 FPS751 FPS
medium332 FPS612 FPS
high278 FPS536 FPS
ultra237 FPS497 FPS
1440p
low328 FPS615 FPS
medium275 FPS500 FPS
high217 FPS433 FPS
ultra178 FPS395 FPS
4K
low177 FPS384 FPS
medium139 FPS324 FPS
high127 FPS301 FPS
ultra104 FPS272 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1070 and GeForce RTX 4070

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1070

The GeForce GTX 1070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 10 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1506 MHz to 1683 MHz. It has 1920 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 13,507 points. Launch price was $379.

NVIDIA

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 GTX 1070 scores 13,507 versus the GeForce RTX 4070's 26,919 — the GeForce RTX 4070 leads by 99.3%. The GeForce GTX 1070 is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 4070 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 16 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 1,920 (GeForce GTX 1070) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 4070). Raw compute: 6.463 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1070) vs 29.15 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4070). Boost clocks: 1683 MHz vs 2475 MHz.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1070GeForce RTX 4070
G3D Mark Score
13,507
26,919+99%
Architecture
Pascal
Ada Lovelace
Process Node
16 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
1920
5888+207%
Compute (TFLOPS)
6.463 TFLOPS
29.15 TFLOPS+351%
Boost Clock
1683 MHz
2475 MHz+47%
ROPs
64
64
TMUs
120
184+53%
L1 Cache
0.7 MB
5.8 MB+729%
L2 Cache
2 MB
36 MB+1700%

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 GTX 1070 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 GTX 1070 is capped at Upscaling support.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1070GeForce RTX 4070
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
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 GTX 1070 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: 256 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1070) vs 504 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4070) — a 96.9% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4070. Bus width: 256-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 1070) vs 36 MB (GeForce RTX 4070) — the GeForce RTX 4070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1070GeForce RTX 4070
VRAM Capacity
8 GB
12 GB+50%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth
256 GB/s
504 GB/s+97%
Bus Width
256-bit+33%
192-bit
L2 Cache
2 MB
36 MB+1700%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1070) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4070). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1070GeForce RTX 4070
DirectX
12.1
12.2
Vulkan
1.4+8%
1.3
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 6th gen (GeForce GTX 1070) vs 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4070). Decoder: NVDEC 3rd gen vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce GTX 1070) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4070).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1070GeForce RTX 4070
Encoder
NVENC 6th gen
8th Gen NVENC (2x)
Decoder
NVDEC 3rd gen
5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs
H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9,MPEG-2,VC-1
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1070 draws 150W versus the GeForce RTX 4070's 200W — a 28.6% difference. The GeForce GTX 1070 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 1070) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 4070). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 304mm, occupying 2 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80°C.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1070GeForce RTX 4070
TDP
150W-25%
200W
Recommended PSU
500W-23%
650W
Power Connector
8-pin
8-pin
Length
267mm
304mm
Height
112mm
137mm
Slots
2-33%
3
Temp (Load)
75°C-6%
80°C
Perf/Watt
90.0
134.6+50%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1070 launched at $379 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 4070 launched at $599. The GeForce GTX 1070 costs 36.7% less ($220 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 35.6 (GeForce GTX 1070) vs 44.9 (GeForce RTX 4070) — the GeForce RTX 4070 offers 26.1% better value. The GeForce RTX 4070 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2016).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1070GeForce RTX 4070
MSRP
$379-37%
$599
Performance per Dollar
35.6
44.9+26%
Codename
GP104
AD104
Release
June 10 2016
April 12 2023
Ranking
#185
#32