GeForce RTX 3070 vs GeForce RTX 5070

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3070

2020Core: 1500 MHzBoost: 1725 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 5070

2025Core: 2325 MHzBoost: 2512 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 $50 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
  • Measures 242mm instead of 245mm, a 3mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 5070 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025).
  • Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 5070 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 44.4 vs 52.6 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 5070

2025

Why buy it

  • 15.4% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 18.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 52.6 vs 44.4 G3D/$ ($549 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
  • Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025).
  • 50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).
  • More future proof: Blackwell 2.0 (2025−2026) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer clear downsides in this head-to-head, aside from the usual pricing and availability swings.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 5070 better than GeForce RTX 3070?
Yes. GeForce RTX 5070 is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce RTX 5070 averages 15.4% more FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 28,854 vs 22,172 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 5070 is a 2025 card with DLSS 4 + Multi Frame Gen, while GeForce RTX 3070 is a 2020 model from an older generation with DLSS Super Resolution. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 5070 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2025 generation instead of 2020, 30.1% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 8 GB, and better upscaling support with DLSS 4 Super Resolution (2025) instead of DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) and better frame-generation support with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025) instead of DLSS Super Resolution. 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 5070 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 5070 is about 10.0% more expensive on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and you are getting 15.4% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and 30.1% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 18.3%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.
Is GeForce RTX 3070 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3070 is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is excellent for 1080p, very strong for 1440p, and still capable at 4K with sensible settings or upscaling. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around $499 MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 5070 is still the cleaner recommendation on overall value today.

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 5070
1080p
low158 FPS188 FPS
medium140 FPS171 FPS
high123 FPS155 FPS
ultra104 FPS135 FPS
1440p
low134 FPS151 FPS
medium109 FPS125 FPS
high96 FPS111 FPS
ultra86 FPS102 FPS
4K
low80 FPS92 FPS
medium67 FPS79 FPS
high52 FPS66 FPS
ultra45 FPS59 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5070
1080p
low470 FPS615 FPS
medium405 FPS514 FPS
high327 FPS389 FPS
ultra277 FPS336 FPS
1440p
low294 FPS406 FPS
medium246 FPS325 FPS
high213 FPS254 FPS
ultra179 FPS223 FPS
4K
low141 FPS180 FPS
medium120 FPS149 FPS
high105 FPS129 FPS
ultra83 FPS105 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5070
1080p
low885 FPS921 FPS
medium712 FPS742 FPS
high619 FPS652 FPS
ultra499 FPS569 FPS
1440p
low692 FPS720 FPS
medium557 FPS578 FPS
high473 FPS497 FPS
ultra374 FPS427 FPS
4K
low479 FPS496 FPS
medium388 FPS399 FPS
high330 FPS349 FPS
ultra249 FPS293 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5070
1080p
low600 FPS799 FPS
medium527 FPS663 FPS
high433 FPS594 FPS
ultra385 FPS532 FPS
1440p
low489 FPS646 FPS
medium433 FPS535 FPS
high339 FPS475 FPS
ultra297 FPS420 FPS
4K
low292 FPS412 FPS
medium270 FPS357 FPS
high238 FPS328 FPS
ultra200 FPS289 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3070 and GeForce RTX 5070

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 5070

The GeForce RTX 5070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 4 2025. It features the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 2325 MHz to 2512 MHz. It has 6144 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 48 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 28,854 points. Launch price was $549.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3070 scores 22,172 versus the GeForce RTX 5070's 28,854 — the GeForce RTX 5070 leads by 30.1%. The GeForce RTX 3070 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 5070 uses Blackwell 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 6,144 (GeForce RTX 5070). Raw compute: 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 30.87 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 5070). Boost clocks: 1725 MHz vs 2512 MHz. Ray tracing: 46 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 48 (GeForce RTX 5070) with 184 Tensor cores vs 192.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5070
G3D Mark Score
22,172
28,854+30%
Architecture
Ampere
Blackwell 2.0
Process Node
8 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
5888
6144+4%
Compute (TFLOPS)
20.31 TFLOPS
30.87 TFLOPS+52%
Boost Clock
1725 MHz
2512 MHz+46%
ROPs
96+20%
80
TMUs
184
192+4%
L1 Cache
5.8 MB
6 MB+3%
L2 Cache
4 MB
48 MB+1100%
Ray Tracing Cores
46
48+4%
Tensor Cores
184
192+4%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 5070 is support for DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation. 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 RTX 3070 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 5070 supports the newer DLSS 4 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 3070 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5070
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
DLSS 4 Super Resolution
Frame Generation
Not Supported
DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction
No
Yes (DLSS 4)
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3070 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 5070 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 5070 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 672 GB/s (GeForce RTX 5070) — a 50% advantage for the GeForce RTX 5070. Bus width: 256-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 48 MB (GeForce RTX 5070) — the GeForce RTX 5070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5070
VRAM Capacity
8 GB
12 GB+50%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR7
Memory Bandwidth
448 GB/s
672 GB/s+50%
Bus Width
256-bit+33%
192-bit
L2 Cache
4 MB
48 MB+1100%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 5070). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5070
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 (9th Gen) (GeForce RTX 5070). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC (6th Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs AV1,H.264,H.265,VP9 (GeForce RTX 5070).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5070
Encoder
NVENC 7th gen
NVENC (9th Gen)
Decoder
NVDEC 5th gen
NVDEC (6th Gen)
Codecs
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9
AV1,H.264,H.265,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3070 draws 220W versus the GeForce RTX 5070's 250W — a 12.8% difference. The GeForce RTX 3070 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 5070). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 16-pin (12VHPWR). Card length: 242mm vs 245mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 72°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5070
TDP
220W-12%
250W
Recommended PSU
650W
650W
Power Connector
8-pin
16-pin (12VHPWR)
Length
242mm
245mm
Height
112mm
115mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
75°C
72°C-4%
Perf/Watt
100.8
115.4+14%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 5070 launched at $549. The GeForce RTX 3070 costs 9.1% less ($50 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 44.4 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 52.6 (GeForce RTX 5070) — the GeForce RTX 5070 offers 18.5% better value. The GeForce RTX 5070 is the newer GPU (2025 vs 2020).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070GeForce RTX 5070
MSRP
$499-9%
$549
Performance per Dollar
44.4
52.6+18%
Codename
GA104
GB205
Release
September 1 2020
March 4 2025
Ranking
#63
#22