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

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. 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

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

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 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 970	GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.1%)	✅Leading raw performance (+2.1%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+100%)
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
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 970	GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+193.8%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($50)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($150)

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 970 Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

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

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.

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.

⚡

Graphics Performance

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

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

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

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

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

🖥️

Display & API Support

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

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

🎬

Media & Encoding

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

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

🔌

Power & Dimensions

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

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

💰

Value Analysis

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