GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design vs GeForce GTX 970

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 GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design is positioned at rank #8 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Excellent cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

#6

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

110%

#8

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

100%

#9

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

100%

#13

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

91%

#14

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

90%

#18

Radeon RX 560X (móvel)

MSRP: $55|Avg: $55

89%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.1% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (8 GB vs 4 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 970.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design	GeForce GTX 970
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+2.1%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.1%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+100%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	—	Standard Size (267mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 970 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 970 holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $150), it costs 67% less, resulting in a 193.8% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design	GeForce GTX 970
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+193.8%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($150)	✅More affordable ($50)

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.

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 970 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design and GeForce GTX 970

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

The GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 27 2017. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1215 MHz to 1379 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,842 points.

GeForce GTX 970

The GeForce GTX 970 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 19 2014. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1050 MHz to 1178 MHz. It has 1664 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,640 points. Launch price was $329.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design scores 9,842 and the GeForce GTX 970 reaches 9,640 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design is built on Pascal while the GeForce GTX 970 uses Maxwell 2.0, both on 16 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design) vs 1,664 (GeForce GTX 970). Raw compute: 5.648 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design) vs 3.92 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 970). Boost clocks: 1379 MHz vs 1178 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design	GeForce GTX 970
G3D Mark Score	9,842+2%	9,640
Architecture	Pascal	Maxwell 2.0
Process Node	16 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2048+23%	1664
Compute (TFLOPS)	5.648 TFLOPS+44%	3.92 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1379 MHz+17%	1178 MHz
ROPs	64+14%	56
TMUs	128+23%	104
L1 Cache	768 KB+23%	624 KB
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design	GeForce GTX 970
Upscaling Tech	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 (Compatible)	FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 970 has 4 GB. The GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 256 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design) vs 224 GB/s (GeForce GTX 970) — a 14.3% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design. Bus width: 256-bit vs 256-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design	GeForce GTX 970
VRAM Capacity	8 GB+100%	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	256 GB/s+14%	224 GB/s
Bus Width	256-bit	256-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design) vs 12 (FL 12_1) (GeForce GTX 970). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design	GeForce GTX 970
DirectX	12.1	12 (FL 12_1)
Vulkan	1.1	1.3+18%
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 4.0 (GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design) vs NVENC 2nd gen (GeForce GTX 970). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs PureVideo VP6. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 970).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design	GeForce GTX 970
Encoder	NVENC 4.0	NVENC 2nd gen
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP6	PureVideo VP6
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design draws 115W versus the GeForce GTX 970's 150W — a 26.4% difference. The GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design) vs 500W (GeForce GTX 970). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 267mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design	GeForce GTX 970
TDP	115W-23%	150W
Recommended PSU	500W	500W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	2x 6-pin
Length	0mm	267mm
Height	0mm	111mm
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	85°C	80°C-6%
Perf/Watt	85.6+33%	64.3

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 970 costs 66.7% less ($100 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 65.6 (GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design) vs 192.8 (GeForce GTX 970) — the GeForce GTX 970 offers 193.9% better value. The GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2014).