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 680

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Measures 256mm instead of 304mm, a 48mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (5,609 vs 26,919).
❌Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2012-era hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 11.2 vs 44.9 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 4070

2023

Why buy it

✅+379.9% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 299.8% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.9 vs 11.2 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 4 GB).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌18.8% longer card at 304mm vs 256mm.

GeForce GTX 680

2012

GeForce RTX 4070

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Measures 256mm instead of 304mm, a 48mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Why buy it

✅+379.9% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 299.8% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.9 vs 11.2 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 4 GB).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (5,609 vs 26,919).
❌Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2012-era hardware with 4 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 11.2 vs 44.9 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌18.8% longer card at 304mm vs 256mm.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4070 better than GeForce GTX 680?

Yes. GeForce RTX 4070 is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 26,919 vs 5,609 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 4070 is a 2023 card with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation, while GeForce GTX 680 is a 2012 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 2012, 379.9% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 4 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 20.0% more expensive on MSRP at $599 MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and you are getting 379.9% higher G3D Mark. GeForce GTX 680 really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.

Is GeForce GTX 680 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

No, not for a fresh gaming build. GeForce GTX 680 is 2012 hardware with 4 GB of VRAM, 5,609 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.

GeForce GTX 680 Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 4070 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 680	GeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low	78 FPS	183 FPS
medium	66 FPS	167 FPS
high	53 FPS	151 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	131 FPS
1440p
low	68 FPS	150 FPS
medium	60 FPS	124 FPS
high	42 FPS	110 FPS
ultra	27 FPS	101 FPS
4K
low	25 FPS	92 FPS
medium	23 FPS	78 FPS
high	15 FPS	65 FPS
ultra	13 FPS	58 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 680 Open GeForce RTX 4070

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 680	GeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low	124 FPS	544 FPS
medium	92 FPS	454 FPS
high	70 FPS	353 FPS
ultra	46 FPS	299 FPS
1440p
low	67 FPS	351 FPS
medium	46 FPS	288 FPS
high	34 FPS	235 FPS
ultra	24 FPS	197 FPS
4K
low	25 FPS	172 FPS
medium	17 FPS	144 FPS
high	13 FPS	125 FPS
ultra	10 FPS	101 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 680 Open GeForce RTX 4070

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce GTX 680	GeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low	252 FPS	884 FPS
medium	202 FPS	713 FPS
high	168 FPS	643 FPS
ultra	126 FPS	569 FPS
1440p
low	189 FPS	684 FPS
medium	151 FPS	549 FPS
high	126 FPS	483 FPS
ultra	95 FPS	424 FPS
4K
low	126 FPS	467 FPS
medium	101 FPS	373 FPS
high	84 FPS	326 FPS
ultra	63 FPS	277 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 680 Open GeForce RTX 4070

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce GTX 680	GeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low	126 FPS	751 FPS
medium	101 FPS	612 FPS
high	86 FPS	536 FPS
ultra	73 FPS	497 FPS
1440p
low	97 FPS	615 FPS
medium	78 FPS	500 FPS
high	67 FPS	433 FPS
ultra	52 FPS	395 FPS
4K
low	57 FPS	384 FPS
medium	44 FPS	324 FPS
high	35 FPS	301 FPS
ultra	25 FPS	272 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 680 Open GeForce RTX 4070

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 680 and GeForce RTX 4070

GeForce GTX 680

The GeForce GTX 680 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 22 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 1006 MHz to 1058 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 195W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,609 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 GTX 680 scores 5,609 versus the GeForce RTX 4070's 26,919 — the GeForce RTX 4070 leads by 379.9%. The GeForce GTX 680 is built on Kepler while the GeForce RTX 4070 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 28 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 1,536 (GeForce GTX 680) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 4070). Raw compute: 3.25 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 680) vs 29.15 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4070). Boost clocks: 1058 MHz vs 2475 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 680	GeForce RTX 4070
G3D Mark Score	5,609	26,919+380%
Architecture	Kepler	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	28 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	1536	5888+283%
Compute (TFLOPS)	3.25 TFLOPS	29.15 TFLOPS+797%
Boost Clock	1058 MHz	2475 MHz+134%
ROPs	32	64+100%
TMUs	128	184+44%
L1 Cache	0.13 MB	5.8 MB+4362%
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	36 MB+7100%

✨

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 680 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 680 is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 680	GeForce 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 680 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4070 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 4070 offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192.2 GB/s (GeForce GTX 680) vs 504 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4070) — a 162.2% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4070. Bus width: 256-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (GeForce GTX 680) vs 36 MB (GeForce RTX 4070) — the GeForce RTX 4070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 680	GeForce RTX 4070
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	12 GB+200%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	192.2 GB/s	504 GB/s+162%
Bus Width	256-bit+33%	192-bit
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	36 MB+7100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (FL 11_0) (GeForce GTX 680) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4070). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 680	GeForce RTX 4070
DirectX	12 (FL 11_0)	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.1	1.3+18%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 1st gen (GeForce GTX 680) vs 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4070). Decoder: PureVideo VP5 vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 680) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4070).

Feature	GeForce GTX 680	GeForce RTX 4070
Encoder	NVENC 1st gen	8th Gen NVENC (2x)
Decoder	PureVideo VP5	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 680 draws 195W versus the GeForce RTX 4070's 200W — a 2.5% difference. The GeForce GTX 680 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce GTX 680) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 4070). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 256mm vs 304mm, occupying 2 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 98°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 680	GeForce RTX 4070
TDP	195W-3%	200W
Recommended PSU	550W-15%	650W
Power Connector	2x 6-pin	8-pin
Length	256mm	304mm
Height	111mm	137mm
Slots	2-33%	3
Temp (Load)	98°C	80°C-18%
Perf/Watt	28.8	134.6+367%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 680 launched at $499 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 4070 launched at $599. The GeForce GTX 680 costs 16.7% less ($100 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 11.2 (GeForce GTX 680) vs 44.9 (GeForce RTX 4070) — the GeForce RTX 4070 offers 300.9% better value. The GeForce RTX 4070 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2012).