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 4070

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $600 less on MSRP ($599 MSRP vs $1,199 MSRP).
✅Delivers 56.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.9 vs 28.7 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $1,199 MSRP).
✅Draws 200W instead of 320W, a 120W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (26,919 vs 34,445).
❌Less VRAM, with 12 GB vs 16 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (184 vs 304), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 4080

2022

Why buy it

✅+28% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅65.2% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (304 vs 184).
✅33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (16 GB vs 12 GB).

Trade-offs

❌
100.2% HIGHER MSRP
$1,199 MSRPvs$599 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 28.7 vs 44.9 G3D/$ ($1,199 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
❌60% higher power demand at 320W vs 200W.

GeForce RTX 4070

2023

GeForce RTX 4080

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $600 less on MSRP ($599 MSRP vs $1,199 MSRP).
✅Delivers 56.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.9 vs 28.7 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $1,199 MSRP).
✅Draws 200W instead of 320W, a 120W reduction.

Why buy it

✅+28% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅65.2% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (304 vs 184).
✅33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (16 GB vs 12 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (26,919 vs 34,445).
❌Less VRAM, with 12 GB vs 16 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (184 vs 304), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Trade-offs

❌
100.2% HIGHER MSRP
$1,199 MSRPvs$599 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 28.7 vs 44.9 G3D/$ ($1,199 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
❌60% higher power demand at 320W vs 200W.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4080 better than GeForce RTX 4070?

Yes. GeForce RTX 4080 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 28% higher PassMark G3D performance, 304 vs 184 Tensor cores, and 16 GB vs 12 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2022 instead of 2023, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.

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 2022. That makes it the safer long-run choice for modern games.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce RTX 4080 is about 100.2% more expensive on MSRP at $1,199 MSRP versus $599 MSRP, and you are getting 28.0% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 4070 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 4080 is the one to buy. If staying closer to budget matters more, GeForce RTX 4070 still makes more sense on price alone and remains capable enough for modern gaming.

When does GeForce RTX 4070 make more sense than GeForce RTX 4080?

Yes. GeForce RTX 4070 is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is excellent for 1080p, very strong for 1440p, and still capable at 4K with sensible settings or upscaling. It makes more sense if your priority is newer architecture, lower power draw (200W vs 320W), future-proofing, and staying closer to $599 MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce RTX 4080. The trade-off is that GeForce RTX 4080 currently gives you 28.0% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 4070 still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium.

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 4070 Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 4080 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 4070	GeForce RTX 4080
1080p
low	183 FPS	276 FPS
medium	167 FPS	265 FPS
high	151 FPS	229 FPS
ultra	131 FPS	189 FPS
1440p
low	150 FPS	252 FPS
medium	124 FPS	214 FPS
high	110 FPS	175 FPS
ultra	101 FPS	148 FPS
4K
low	92 FPS	147 FPS
medium	78 FPS	123 FPS
high	65 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	58 FPS	92 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4070 Open GeForce RTX 4080

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 4070	GeForce RTX 4080
1080p
low	544 FPS	818 FPS
medium	454 FPS	665 FPS
high	353 FPS	525 FPS
ultra	299 FPS	461 FPS
1440p
low	351 FPS	617 FPS
medium	288 FPS	512 FPS
high	235 FPS	420 FPS
ultra	197 FPS	344 FPS
4K
low	172 FPS	335 FPS
medium	144 FPS	287 FPS
high	125 FPS	259 FPS
ultra	101 FPS	221 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4070 Open GeForce RTX 4080

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 4070	GeForce RTX 4080
1080p
low	884 FPS	999 FPS
medium	713 FPS	999 FPS
high	643 FPS	999 FPS
ultra	569 FPS	775 FPS
1440p
low	684 FPS	988 FPS
medium	549 FPS	902 FPS
high	483 FPS	775 FPS
ultra	424 FPS	581 FPS
4K
low	467 FPS	580 FPS
medium	373 FPS	504 FPS
high	326 FPS	455 FPS
ultra	277 FPS	388 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4070 Open GeForce RTX 4080

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 4070	GeForce RTX 4080
1080p
low	751 FPS	999 FPS
medium	612 FPS	963 FPS
high	536 FPS	830 FPS
ultra	497 FPS	737 FPS
1440p
low	615 FPS	793 FPS
medium	500 FPS	690 FPS
high	433 FPS	585 FPS
ultra	395 FPS	510 FPS
4K
low	384 FPS	567 FPS
medium	324 FPS	502 FPS
high	301 FPS	435 FPS
ultra	272 FPS	382 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 4070 Open GeForce RTX 4080

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 4070 and GeForce RTX 4080

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.

GeForce RTX 4080

The GeForce RTX 4080 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 20 2022. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2205 MHz to 2505 MHz. It has 9728 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 320W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 76 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 34,445 points. Launch price was $1,199.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4070 scores 26,919 versus the GeForce RTX 4080's 34,445 — the GeForce RTX 4080 leads by 28%. The GeForce RTX 4070 is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce RTX 4080 uses Ada Lovelace, both on a 5 nm process. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 9,728 (GeForce RTX 4080). Raw compute: 29.15 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 48.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4080). Boost clocks: 2475 MHz vs 2505 MHz. Ray tracing: 46 RT cores (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 76 (GeForce RTX 4080) with 184 Tensor cores vs 304.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4070	GeForce RTX 4080
G3D Mark Score	26,919	34,445+28%
Architecture	Ada Lovelace	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	5 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	5888	9728+65%
Compute (TFLOPS)	29.15 TFLOPS	48.74 TFLOPS+67%
Boost Clock	2475 MHz	2505 MHz+1%
ROPs	64	112+75%
TMUs	184	304+65%
L1 Cache	5.8 MB	9.5 MB+64%
L2 Cache	36 MB	64 MB+78%
Ray Tracing Cores	46	76+65%
Tensor Cores	184	304+65%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Both cards support modern Frame Generation technology, allowing them to insert intermediate frames to smooth motion and boost perceived FPS in supported games.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4070	GeForce RTX 4080
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution	DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation	DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction	Yes (DLSS 3.5)	Yes (DLSS 3.5)
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 4070 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4080 has 16 GB. The GeForce RTX 4080 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 504 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 736 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4080) — a 46% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4080. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 36 MB (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 64 MB (GeForce RTX 4080) — the GeForce RTX 4080 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4070	GeForce RTX 4080
VRAM Capacity	12 GB	16 GB+33%
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	504 GB/s	736 GB/s+46%
Bus Width	192-bit	256-bit+33%
L2 Cache	36 MB	64 MB+78%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4080). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4070	GeForce RTX 4080
DirectX	12.2+2%	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4070) vs NVENC 8th gen (GeForce RTX 4080). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 4080).

Feature	GeForce RTX 4070	GeForce RTX 4080
Encoder	8th Gen NVENC (2x)	NVENC 8th gen
Decoder	5th Gen NVDEC	NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4070 draws 200W versus the GeForce RTX 4080's 320W — a 46.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 4070 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 750W (GeForce RTX 4080). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 16-pin. Card length: 304mm vs 310mm, occupying 3 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 70°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 4070	GeForce RTX 4080
TDP	200W-38%	320W
Recommended PSU	650W-13%	750W
Power Connector	8-pin	16-pin
Length	304mm	310mm
Height	137mm	140mm
Slots	3	3
Temp (Load)	80°C	70°C-13%
Perf/Watt	134.6+25%	107.6

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 4070 launched at $599 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 4080 launched at $1199. The GeForce RTX 4070 costs 50% less ($600 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 44.9 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 28.7 (GeForce RTX 4080) — the GeForce RTX 4070 offers 56.4% better value. The GeForce RTX 4070 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2022).