GeForce RTX 3070 vs GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3070

2020Core: 1500 MHzBoost: 1725 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

2021Core: 1365 MHzBoost: 1665 MHz

Popular choices:

RTX 3070

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce RTX 3070

2020

Why buy it

  • Costs $700 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $1,199 MSRP).
  • Delivers 98.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.4 vs 22.4 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $1,199 MSRP).
  • Draws 220W instead of 350W, a 130W reduction.
  • Measures 242mm instead of 285mm, a 43mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3080 Ti across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (184 vs 320), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
  • Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.

GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

2021

Why buy it

  • 13.7% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • 73.9% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (320 vs 184).
  • 50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).
  • More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • 140.3% HIGHER MSRP
    $1,199 MSRPvs$499 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 22.4 vs 44.4 G3D/$ ($1,199 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
  • 59.1% higher power demand at 350W vs 220W.
  • 17.8% longer card at 285mm vs 242mm.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3080 Ti better than GeForce RTX 3070?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 13.7% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data, 21.1% higher PassMark G3D performance, 320 vs 184 Tensor cores, and 12 GB vs 8 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2021 instead of 2020, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2021 generation instead of 2020, 21.1% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 8 GB, and 73.9% more ray-tracing hardware. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?
GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is about 140.3% more expensive on MSRP at $1,199 MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and you are getting 13.7% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and 21.1% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 3070 still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium. If you are comfortable paying the premium for the stronger gaming result, GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is the one to buy. If staying closer to budget matters more, GeForce RTX 3070 still makes more sense on price alone and remains capable enough for modern gaming.
Is GeForce RTX 3070 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3070 is still a strong gaming GPU in 2026: it is excellent for 1080p, very strong for 1440p, and still capable at 4K with sensible settings or upscaling. This mostly comes down to price. If you want to stay closer to $499 MSRP, it remains a strong choice; if you are comfortable paying more, GeForce RTX 3080 Ti earns that extra money with a clearly stronger gaming result and a more complete overall package.

Games Benchmarks

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 9800X3D 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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
1080p
low158 FPS200 FPS
medium140 FPS183 FPS
high123 FPS155 FPS
ultra104 FPS129 FPS
1440p
low134 FPS176 FPS
medium109 FPS145 FPS
high96 FPS118 FPS
ultra86 FPS103 FPS
4K
low80 FPS108 FPS
medium67 FPS91 FPS
high52 FPS66 FPS
ultra45 FPS56 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
1080p
low470 FPS636 FPS
medium405 FPS551 FPS
high327 FPS438 FPS
ultra277 FPS382 FPS
1440p
low294 FPS464 FPS
medium246 FPS399 FPS
high213 FPS316 FPS
ultra179 FPS263 FPS
4K
low141 FPS222 FPS
medium120 FPS188 FPS
high105 FPS158 FPS
ultra83 FPS133 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
1080p
low885 FPS903 FPS
medium712 FPS739 FPS
high619 FPS659 FPS
ultra499 FPS573 FPS
1440p
low692 FPS710 FPS
medium557 FPS581 FPS
high473 FPS506 FPS
ultra374 FPS434 FPS
4K
low479 FPS489 FPS
medium388 FPS404 FPS
high330 FPS348 FPS
ultra249 FPS289 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
1080p
low600 FPS821 FPS
medium527 FPS763 FPS
high433 FPS673 FPS
ultra385 FPS604 FPS
1440p
low489 FPS656 FPS
medium433 FPS606 FPS
high339 FPS532 FPS
ultra297 FPS453 FPS
4K
low292 FPS475 FPS
medium270 FPS441 FPS
high238 FPS395 FPS
ultra200 FPS302 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3070 and GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

The GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 31 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1365 MHz to 1665 MHz. It has 10240 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 80 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,861 points. Launch price was $1,199.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3070 scores 22,172 versus the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti's 26,861 — the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti leads by 21.1%. The GeForce RTX 3070 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 10,240 (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti). Raw compute: 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 34.1 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti). Boost clocks: 1725 MHz vs 1665 MHz. Ray tracing: 46 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 80 (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti) with 184 Tensor cores vs 320.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
G3D Mark Score
22,172
26,861+21%
Architecture
Ampere
Ampere
Process Node
8 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
5888
10240+74%
Compute (TFLOPS)
20.31 TFLOPS
34.1 TFLOPS+68%
Boost Clock
1725 MHz+4%
1665 MHz
ROPs
96
112+17%
TMUs
184
320+74%
L1 Cache
5.8 MB
10 MB+72%
L2 Cache
4 MB
6 MB+50%
Ray Tracing Cores
46
80+74%
Tensor Cores
184
320+74%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
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 RTX 3070 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 3080 Ti offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 912 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti) — a 103.6% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. Bus width: 256-bit vs 384-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti) — the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
VRAM Capacity
8 GB
12 GB+50%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth
448 GB/s
912 GB/s+104%
Bus Width
256-bit
384-bit+50%
L2 Cache
4 MB
6 MB+50%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.4
1.4
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3070) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
Encoder
NVENC 7th gen
NVENC 7th gen
Decoder
NVDEC 5th gen
NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3070 draws 220W versus the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti's 350W — a 45.6% difference. The GeForce RTX 3070 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 750W (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 285mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 85°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
TDP
220W-37%
350W
Recommended PSU
650W-13%
750W
Power Connector
8-pin
2x 8-pin
Length
242mm
285mm
Height
112mm
112mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
75°C-12%
85°C
Perf/Watt
100.8+31%
76.7
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti launched at $1199. The GeForce RTX 3070 costs 58.4% less ($700 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 44.4 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 22.4 (GeForce RTX 3080 Ti) — the GeForce RTX 3070 offers 98.2% better value. The GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2020).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
MSRP
$499-58%
$1199
Performance per Dollar
44.4+98%
22.4
Codename
GA104
GA102
Release
September 1 2020
May 31 2021
Ranking
#63
#33