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 2080

2018

Why buy it

✅100% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (368 vs 184).
✅Measures 267mm instead of 304mm, a 37mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4070 across 13 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).
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 4070 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌
16.7% HIGHER MSRP
$699 MSRPvs$599 MSRP

GeForce RTX 4070

2023

Why buy it

✅29.9% more average FPS across 13 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($599 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
✅Delivers 68.2% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.9 vs 26.7 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅51.8% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (184 vs 368), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌13.9% longer card at 304mm vs 267mm.

GeForce RTX 2080

2018

GeForce RTX 4070

2023

Why buy it

✅100% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (368 vs 184).
✅Measures 267mm instead of 304mm, a 37mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Why buy it

✅29.9% more average FPS across 13 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($599 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
✅Delivers 68.2% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.9 vs 26.7 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅51.8% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4070 across 13 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).
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 4070 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌
16.7% HIGHER MSRP
$699 MSRPvs$599 MSRP

Trade-offs

❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (184 vs 368), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌13.9% longer card at 304mm vs 267mm.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4070 better than GeForce RTX 2080?

Yes. GeForce RTX 4070 is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce RTX 4070 averages 29.9% more FPS across 13 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 26,919 vs 18,676 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 4070 is a 2023 card with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation, while GeForce RTX 2080 is a 2018 model from an older generation with DLSS Super Resolution. 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 2018, 44.1% 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 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 4070 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 4070 is about $100 cheaper on MSRP at $599 MSRP versus $699 MSRP, and you are getting 29.9% more estimated average FPS across 13 tracked games in our benchmark data and 44.1% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 68.2%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is GeForce RTX 2080 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. GeForce RTX 2080 is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around $699 MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 4070 is still the cleaner recommendation on overall value today.

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 2080 Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 4070 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low	159 FPS	183 FPS
medium	141 FPS	167 FPS
high	123 FPS	151 FPS
ultra	104 FPS	131 FPS
1440p
low	135 FPS	150 FPS
medium	109 FPS	124 FPS
high	96 FPS	110 FPS
ultra	86 FPS	101 FPS
4K
low	80 FPS	92 FPS
medium	68 FPS	78 FPS
high	54 FPS	65 FPS
ultra	47 FPS	58 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 2080 Open GeForce RTX 4070

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low	413 FPS	544 FPS
medium	347 FPS	454 FPS
high	282 FPS	353 FPS
ultra	242 FPS	299 FPS
1440p
low	262 FPS	351 FPS
medium	221 FPS	288 FPS
high	192 FPS	235 FPS
ultra	161 FPS	197 FPS
4K
low	126 FPS	172 FPS
medium	108 FPS	144 FPS
high	91 FPS	125 FPS
ultra	72 FPS	101 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 2080 Open GeForce RTX 4070

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low	783 FPS	884 FPS
medium	634 FPS	713 FPS
high	560 FPS	643 FPS
ultra	420 FPS	569 FPS
1440p
low	606 FPS	684 FPS
medium	492 FPS	549 FPS
high	420 FPS	483 FPS
ultra	315 FPS	424 FPS
4K
low	409 FPS	467 FPS
medium	331 FPS	373 FPS
high	277 FPS	326 FPS
ultra	210 FPS	277 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 2080 Open GeForce RTX 4070

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low	529 FPS	751 FPS
medium	460 FPS	612 FPS
high	395 FPS	536 FPS
ultra	327 FPS	497 FPS
1440p
low	431 FPS	615 FPS
medium	376 FPS	500 FPS
high	307 FPS	433 FPS
ultra	253 FPS	395 FPS
4K
low	272 FPS	384 FPS
medium	257 FPS	324 FPS
high	224 FPS	301 FPS
ultra	185 FPS	272 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 2080 Open GeForce RTX 4070

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 2080 and GeForce RTX 4070

GeForce RTX 2080

The GeForce RTX 2080 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 20 2018. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1515 MHz to 1710 MHz. It has 2944 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 215W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 18,676 points. Launch price was $699.

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 RTX 2080 scores 18,676 versus the GeForce RTX 4070's 26,919 — the GeForce RTX 4070 leads by 44.1%. The GeForce RTX 2080 is built on Turing while the GeForce RTX 4070 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 12 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 2,944 (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 4070). Raw compute: 10.07 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 29.15 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4070). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 2475 MHz. Ray tracing: 46 RT cores (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 46 (GeForce RTX 4070) with 368 Tensor cores vs 184.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 4070
G3D Mark Score	18,676	26,919+44%
Architecture	Turing	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	12 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	2944	5888+100%
Compute (TFLOPS)	10.07 TFLOPS	29.15 TFLOPS+189%
Boost Clock	1710 MHz	2475 MHz+45%
ROPs	64	64
TMUs	184	184
L1 Cache	2.9 MB	5.8 MB+100%
L2 Cache	4 MB	36 MB+800%
Ray Tracing Cores	46	46
Tensor Cores	368+100%	184

✨

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 RTX 2080 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 RTX 2080 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 4070
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 2080 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4070 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 4070 offers 51.8% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 504 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4070) — a 12.5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4070. Bus width: 256-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 36 MB (GeForce RTX 4070) — the GeForce RTX 4070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 4070
VRAM Capacity	7.906 GB	12 GB+52%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	448 GB/s	504 GB/s+13%
Bus Width	256-bit+33%	192-bit
L2 Cache	4 MB	36 MB+800%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4070). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 4070
DirectX	12.1	12.2
Vulkan	1.2	1.3+8%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 6th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4070). Decoder: 4th Gen NVDEC vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce RTX 2080) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4070).

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 4070
Encoder	6th Gen NVENC	8th Gen NVENC (2x)
Decoder	4th Gen NVDEC	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 2080 draws 215W versus the GeForce RTX 4070's 200W — a 7.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 4070 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 4070). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 304mm, occupying 2 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2080	GeForce RTX 4070
TDP	215W	200W-7%
Recommended PSU	650W	650W
Power Connector	6-pin + 8-pin	8-pin
Length	267mm	304mm
Height	116mm	137mm
Slots	2-33%	3
Temp (Load)	80°C	80°C
Perf/Watt	86.9	134.6+55%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 2080 launched at $699 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 4070 launched at $599. The GeForce RTX 4070 costs 14.3% less ($100 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 26.7 (GeForce RTX 2080) vs 44.9 (GeForce RTX 4070) — the GeForce RTX 4070 offers 68.2% better value. The GeForce RTX 4070 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2018).