GeForce RTX 3070 vs M1 8-Core GPU

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

✅+343.4% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 2 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌633.3% higher power demand at 220W vs 30W.

M1 8-Core GPU

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 30W instead of 220W, a 190W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (5,000 vs 22,172).
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 3070 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 44.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $499 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3070

2020

M1 8-Core GPU

2020

Why buy it

✅+343.4% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 2 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

✅Draws 30W instead of 220W, a 190W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌633.3% higher power demand at 220W vs 30W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (5,000 vs 22,172).
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 3070 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 44.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $499 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3070 better than M1 8-Core GPU?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3070 is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 22,172 vs 5,000 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3070 is a 2020 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while M1 8-Core GPU is a 2020 model from an older generation with no meaningful modern upscaling stack. 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 3070 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 343.4% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 8 GB instead of 2 GB, and better upscaling support with DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. 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 3070 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 3070 is priced in an unclear MSRP range at $499 MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting 343.4% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 100+%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is M1 8-Core GPU still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. M1 8-Core GPU is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around an unclear MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 3070 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.

GeForce RTX 3070 Benchmark Check

M1 8-Core GPU Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3070	M1 8-Core GPU
1080p
low	158 FPS	91 FPS
medium	140 FPS	81 FPS
high	123 FPS	56 FPS
ultra	104 FPS	44 FPS
1440p
low	134 FPS	74 FPS
medium	109 FPS	63 FPS
high	96 FPS	42 FPS
ultra	86 FPS	33 FPS
4K
low	80 FPS	35 FPS
medium	67 FPS	33 FPS
high	52 FPS	20 FPS
ultra	45 FPS	18 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3070 Open M1 8-Core GPU

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3070	M1 8-Core GPU
1080p
low	470 FPS	123 FPS
medium	405 FPS	92 FPS
high	327 FPS	66 FPS
ultra	277 FPS	43 FPS
1440p
low	294 FPS	83 FPS
medium	246 FPS	56 FPS
high	213 FPS	41 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	29 FPS
4K
low	141 FPS	37 FPS
medium	120 FPS	27 FPS
high	105 FPS	21 FPS
ultra	83 FPS	15 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3070 Open M1 8-Core GPU

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3070	M1 8-Core GPU
1080p
low	885 FPS	225 FPS
medium	712 FPS	180 FPS
high	619 FPS	150 FPS
ultra	499 FPS	112 FPS
1440p
low	692 FPS	169 FPS
medium	557 FPS	135 FPS
high	473 FPS	112 FPS
ultra	374 FPS	84 FPS
4K
low	479 FPS	112 FPS
medium	388 FPS	90 FPS
high	330 FPS	75 FPS
ultra	249 FPS	56 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3070 Open M1 8-Core GPU

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3070	M1 8-Core GPU
1080p
low	600 FPS	184 FPS
medium	527 FPS	139 FPS
high	433 FPS	125 FPS
ultra	385 FPS	102 FPS
1440p
low	489 FPS	147 FPS
medium	433 FPS	109 FPS
high	339 FPS	89 FPS
ultra	297 FPS	72 FPS
4K
low	292 FPS	78 FPS
medium	270 FPS	58 FPS
high	238 FPS	51 FPS
ultra	200 FPS	40 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3070 Open M1 8-Core GPU

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3070 and M1 8-Core GPU

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.

M1 8-Core GPU

The M1 8-Core GPU is manufactured by Apple. It was released in November 10 2020. The core clock speed is 1278 MHz. It has 8 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,000 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3070 scores 22,172 versus the M1 8-Core GPU's 5,000 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 343.4%. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 8 (M1 8-Core GPU).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	M1 8-Core GPU
G3D Mark Score	22,172+343%	5,000
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	5888+73500%	8

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3070 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The M1 8-Core GPU relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	M1 8-Core GPU
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3070 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the M1 8-Core GPU has 2 GB. The GeForce RTX 3070 offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 68 GB/s (M1 8-Core GPU) — a 558.8% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3070. Bus width: 256-bit vs Unified.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	M1 8-Core GPU
VRAM Capacity	8 GB+300%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	Shared
Memory Bandwidth	448 GB/s+559%	68 GB/s
Bus Width	256-bit	Unified

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070) vs N/A (M1 8-Core GPU). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.1 (Rosetta 2). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	M1 8-Core GPU
DirectX	12 Ultimate	N/A
OpenGL	4.6+12%	4.1 (Rosetta 2)
Max Displays	4+100%	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3070) vs Apple M1 Video Encoder (M1 8-Core GPU). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs Apple M1 Video Decoder. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW (M1 8-Core GPU).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	M1 8-Core GPU
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	Apple M1 Video Encoder
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	Apple M1 Video Decoder
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9	H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3070 draws 220W versus the M1 8-Core GPU's 30W — a 152% difference. The M1 8-Core GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 350W (M1 8-Core GPU). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3070	M1 8-Core GPU
TDP	220W	30W-86%
Recommended PSU	650W	350W-46%
Power Connector	8-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	242mm	—
Height	112mm	—
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	75°C	—
Perf/Watt	100.8	166.7+65%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499 MSRP, while the M1 8-Core GPU launched at $0. The M1 8-Core GPU costs 100+% less ($499 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 44.4 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs Infinity (M1 8-Core GPU) — the M1 8-Core GPU offers Infinity% better value.