GeForce GTX 1070 SLI vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1070 SLI

2016Core: 1506 MHzBoost: 1683 MHz
GTX family
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VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024Core: 1042 MHzBoost: 1470 MHz
RTX family
·······

GeForce GTX 1070 SLI vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce GTX 1070 SLI vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce GTX 1070 SLI vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce GTX 1070 SLI

2016

Why buy it

  • +65.5% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • 33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 6GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • 2016 hardware with 8 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
  • 348.5% HIGHER MSRP
    $758 MSRPvs$169 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 23.5 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($758 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

  • 5.9% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Costs $589 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $758 MSRP).
  • Delivers 171% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 23.5 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $758 MSRP).
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (10,749 vs 17,790).
  • Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 5.9% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce GTX 1070 SLI instead at 17,790 vs 10,749, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 16nm, 18 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2024 generation instead of 2016. That gives it the more rounded hardware package for newer games.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB makes the most sense to buy today. It is $589 cheaper on MSRP at $169 vs $758, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 171% (63.6 vs 23.5), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce GTX 1070 SLI vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 1070 SLI

The GeForce GTX 1070 SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 16 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1506 MHz to 1683 MHz. It has 3840 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 17,790 points.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 2 2024. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1042 MHz to 1470 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 18 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,749 points. Launch price was $179.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 1070 SLI scores 17,790 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 10,749 — the GeForce GTX 1070 SLI leads by 65.5%. The GeForce GTX 1070 SLI is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB uses Ampere, both on 16 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 3,840 (GeForce GTX 1070 SLI) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Boost clocks: 1683 MHz vs 1470 MHz.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1070 SLIGeForce RTX 3050 6GB
G3D Mark Score
17,790+66%
10,749
Architecture
Pascal
Ampere
Process Node
16 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
3840+67%
2304
Boost Clock
1683 MHz+14%
1470 MHz

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1070 SLI is capped at Upscaling support.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1070 SLIGeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1070 SLI has 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB carries 6 GB. GeForce GTX 1070 SLI gives you 33.3% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 256 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1070 SLI) vs 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — a 52.4% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1070 SLI. Memory bus width is 256-bit on the GeForce GTX 1070 SLI and 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1070 SLIGeForce RTX 3050 6GB
VRAM Capacity
8 GB+33%
6 GB
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
256 GB/s+52%
168 GB/s
Bus Width
256-bit+167%
96-bit
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1070 SLI) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1070 SLIGeForce RTX 3050 6GB
DirectX
12.1
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.3
1.3
OpenGL
4.5
4.6+2%
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 5.0 (2x) (GeForce GTX 1070 SLI) vs NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP7 (2x) vs NVDEC (7th Gen). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 1070 SLI) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1070 SLIGeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Encoder
NVENC 5.0 (2x)
NVENC (5th Gen)
Decoder
PureVideo HD VP7 (2x)
NVDEC (7th Gen)
Codecs
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC
H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1070 SLI draws 300W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 70W — a 124.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (GeForce GTX 1070 SLI) vs 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs None. Card length: 267mm vs 160mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75°C.

FeatureGeForce GTX 1070 SLIGeForce RTX 3050 6GB
TDP
300W
70W-77%
Recommended PSU
750W
300W-60%
Power Connector
2x 8-pin
None
Length
267mm
160mm
Height
112mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
80°C
75°C-6%
Perf/Watt
59.3
153.6+159%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1070 SLI came in at $758, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB was 77.7% cheaper ($589 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 23.5 (GeForce GTX 1070 SLI) vs 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 170.6% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2016).

FeatureGeForce GTX 1070 SLIGeForce RTX 3050 6GB
MSRP
$758
$169-78%
Performance per Dollar
23.5
63.6+171%
Codename
Pascal GP104 SLI
GA107
Release
August 16 2016
February 2 2024
Ranking
#142
#252

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