GeForce 6800 vs GeForce RTX 3070
GeForce 6800
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GeForce RTX 3070
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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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. The GeForce 6800 is positioned at rank #726 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 6800
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3070
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3070 is significantly newer (2020 vs 2014). The GeForce RTX 3070 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce 6800 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3070 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 19521.2% higher G3D Mark score and 3100% more VRAM (8 GB vs 256 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce 6800.
| Insight | GeForce 6800 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-19521.2%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+19521.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3070 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $200 (vs $50), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 4805.3% better value per dollar than the GeForce 6800.
| Insight | GeForce 6800 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+4805.3%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($50) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($200) |
Performance Check
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 7800X3D 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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce 6800 and GeForce RTX 3070
GeForce 6800
The GeForce 6800 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 22 2014. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1082 MHz to 1150 MHz. It has 256 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 113 points.
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.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce 6800 scores 113 versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 22,172 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 19521.2%. The GeForce 6800 is built on Maxwell while the GeForce RTX 3070 uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 256 (GeForce 6800) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070). Raw compute: 0.5888 TFLOPS (GeForce 6800) vs 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070). Boost clocks: 1150 MHz vs 1725 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce 6800 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 113 | 22,172+19521% |
| Architecture | Maxwell | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 256 | 5888+2200% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.5888 TFLOPS | 20.31 TFLOPS+3349% |
| Boost Clock | 1150 MHz | 1725 MHz+50% |
| ROPs | 8 | 96+1100% |
| TMUs | 16 | 184+1050% |
| L1 Cache | 0.13 MB | 5.8 MB+4362% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 4 MB+300% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce 6800 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce 6800 comes with 256 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3070 has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3070 offers 3100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce 6800) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce RTX 3070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce 6800 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.25 GB | 8 GB+3100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | 448 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 256-bit+100% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 4 MB+300% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 9.0c (GeForce 6800) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070). Vulkan: N/A vs 1.4. OpenGL: 2.1 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce 6800 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 9.0c | 12 Ultimate+33% |
| Vulkan | N/A | 1.4 |
| OpenGL | 2.1 | 4.6+119% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 4+100% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: None (GeForce 6800) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3070). Decoder: PureVideo (VP1) vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,WMV (GeForce 6800) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070).
| Feature | GeForce 6800 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | NVENC 7th gen |
| Decoder | PureVideo (VP1) | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,WMV | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce 6800 draws 33W versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 220W — a 147.8% difference. The GeForce 6800 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 6800) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 3070). Power connectors: Legacy vs 8-pin. Card length: 198mm vs 242mm, occupying 1 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80 vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce 6800 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 33W-85% | 220W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-46% | 650W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | 8-pin |
| Length | 198mm | 242mm |
| Height | 111mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 1-50% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80 | 75°C-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 3.4 | 100.8+2865% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 6800 launched at $299 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499 and now averages $200. The GeForce 6800 costs 75% less ($150 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 2.3 (GeForce 6800) vs 110.9 (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce RTX 3070 offers 4721.7% better value. The GeForce RTX 3070 is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce 6800 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $299-40% | $499 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-75% | $200 |
| Performance per Dollar | 2.3 | 110.9+4722% |
| Codename | GM108 | GA104 |
| Release | July 22 2014 | September 1 2020 |
| Ranking | #832 | #63 |
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