GeForce GTX 970 vs GeForce RTX 4060
GeForce GTX 970
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GeForce RTX 4060
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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. 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
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 4060
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 4060 is significantly newer (2023 vs 2014). The GeForce RTX 4060 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 970 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 4060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 102.8% 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 RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-102.8%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+102.8%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) / 5nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 970 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $50 versus $299 for the GeForce RTX 4060, it costs 83% less. While it maintains significantly lower raw performance, this results in a 194.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+194.9%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($50) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($299) |
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 GTX 970 and GeForce RTX 4060
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 RTX 4060
The GeForce RTX 4060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1830 MHz to 2460 MHz. It has 3072 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 24 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 19,548 points. Launch price was $299.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 970 scores 9,640 versus the GeForce RTX 4060's 19,548 — the GeForce RTX 4060 leads by 102.8%. The GeForce GTX 970 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 4060 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 28 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 1,664 (GeForce GTX 970) vs 3,072 (GeForce RTX 4060). Raw compute: 3.92 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 970) vs 15.11 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060). Boost clocks: 1178 MHz vs 2460 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 9,640 | 19,548+103% |
| Architecture | Maxwell 2.0 | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 5 nm |
| Shading Units | 1664 | 3072+85% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 3.92 TFLOPS | 15.11 TFLOPS+285% |
| Boost Clock | 1178 MHz | 2460 MHz+109% |
| ROPs | 56+17% | 48 |
| TMUs | 104+8% | 96 |
| L1 Cache | 0.61 MB | 3 MB+392% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 24 MB+1100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4060 is support for DLSS 3 Frame Gen. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce GTX 970 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | DLSS 3.5 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | DLSS 3.0 (Native) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | Yes (DLSS 3.5) |
| Low Latency | Standard | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GTX 970 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4060 has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 4060 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce GTX 970) vs 272 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060) — a 21.4% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4060. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce GTX 970) vs 24 MB (GeForce RTX 4060) — the GeForce RTX 4060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 8 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 224 GB/s | 272 GB/s+21% |
| Bus Width | 256-bit+100% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 24 MB+1100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (FL 12_1) (GeForce GTX 970) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (FL 12_1) | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 2nd gen (GeForce GTX 970) vs NVENC 8th gen (GeForce RTX 4060). Decoder: PureVideo VP6 vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 970) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4060).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 2nd gen | NVENC 8th gen |
| Decoder | PureVideo VP6 | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 970 draws 150W versus the GeForce RTX 4060's 115W — a 26.4% difference. The GeForce RTX 4060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 970) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 4060). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 240mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 73°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 150W | 115W-23% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W-9% | 550W |
| Power Connector | 2x 6-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 267mm | 240mm |
| Height | 111mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 73°C-9% |
| Perf/Watt | 64.3 | 170.0+164% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 970 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the GeForce RTX 4060 launched at $299 and now averages $299. The GeForce GTX 970 costs 83.3% less ($249 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 192.8 (GeForce GTX 970) vs 65.4 (GeForce RTX 4060) — the GeForce GTX 970 offers 194.8% better value. The GeForce RTX 4060 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | $299-9% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-83% | $299 |
| Performance per Dollar | 192.8+195% | 65.4 |
| Codename | GM204 | AD107 |
| Release | September 19 2014 | May 18 2023 |
| Ranking | #269 | #84 |
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