GeForce RTX 3070 vs Radeon HD 7790

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3070

2020Core: 1500 MHzBoost: 1725 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Radeon HD 7790

2013Core: 1000 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

  • 447.6% more average FPS across 35 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 114.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.4 vs 20.7 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $149 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

  • 158.8% higher power demand at 220W vs 85W.
  • 32.2% longer card at 242mm vs 183mm.

Radeon HD 7790

2013

Why buy it

  • Costs $350 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
  • Draws 85W instead of 220W, a 135W reduction.
  • Measures 183mm instead of 242mm, a 59mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3070 across 35 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on FSR Upscaling / FSR 4 (2025) instead.
  • Very weak future-proofing: 2013-era hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 20.7 vs 44.4 G3D/$ ($149 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3070 better than Radeon HD 7790?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3070 is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce RTX 3070 averages 447.6% more FPS across 35 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 22,172 vs 3,090 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3070 is a 2020 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while Radeon HD 7790 is a 2013 model from an older generation with FSR upscaling. 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 a newer 2020 generation instead of 2013, 617.5% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 8 GB instead of 2 GB, and the stronger feature stack with DLSS Super Resolution instead of FSR upscaling. 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 by a wide margin. GeForce RTX 3070 is about 234.9% more expensive on MSRP at $499 MSRP versus $149 MSRP, and you are getting 447.6% more estimated average FPS across 35 tracked games in our benchmark data and 617.5% higher G3D Mark. Radeon HD 7790 really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.
Is Radeon HD 7790 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
No, not for a fresh gaming build. Radeon HD 7790 is 2013 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM, 3,090 in G3D Mark, and FSR upscaling. That is simply too far behind to be an easy modern recommendation.

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 3070Radeon HD 7790
1080p
low158 FPS47 FPS
medium140 FPS29 FPS
high123 FPS20 FPS
ultra104 FPS10 FPS
1440p
low134 FPS31 FPS
medium109 FPS19 FPS
high96 FPS10 FPS
ultra86 FPS5 FPS
4K
low80 FPS11 FPS
medium67 FPS7 FPS
high52 FPS4 FPS
ultra45 FPS3 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3070Radeon HD 7790
1080p
low470 FPS57 FPS
medium405 FPS31 FPS
high327 FPS23 FPS
ultra277 FPS15 FPS
1440p
low294 FPS28 FPS
medium246 FPS15 FPS
high213 FPS10 FPS
ultra179 FPS8 FPS
4K
low141 FPS8 FPS
medium120 FPS5 FPS
high105 FPS4 FPS
ultra83 FPS3 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3070Radeon HD 7790
1080p
low885 FPS139 FPS
medium712 FPS111 FPS
high619 FPS93 FPS
ultra499 FPS70 FPS
1440p
low692 FPS104 FPS
medium557 FPS83 FPS
high473 FPS70 FPS
ultra374 FPS52 FPS
4K
low479 FPS70 FPS
medium388 FPS56 FPS
high330 FPS46 FPS
ultra249 FPS35 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3070Radeon HD 7790
1080p
low600 FPS139 FPS
medium527 FPS111 FPS
high433 FPS88 FPS
ultra385 FPS65 FPS
1440p
low489 FPS75 FPS
medium433 FPS60 FPS
high339 FPS51 FPS
ultra297 FPS35 FPS
4K
low292 FPS41 FPS
medium270 FPS31 FPS
high238 FPS26 FPS
ultra200 FPS18 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3070 and Radeon HD 7790

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.

AMD

Radeon HD 7790

The Radeon HD 7790 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in March 22 2013. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 896 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 85W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,090 points. Launch price was $149.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3070 scores 22,172 versus the Radeon HD 7790's 3,090 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 617.5%. The GeForce RTX 3070 is built on Ampere while the Radeon HD 7790 uses GCN 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 896 (Radeon HD 7790). Raw compute: 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 1.792 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 7790).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070Radeon HD 7790
G3D Mark Score
22,172+618%
3,090
Architecture
Ampere
GCN 2.0
Process Node
8 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
5888+557%
896
Compute (TFLOPS)
20.31 TFLOPS+1033%
1.792 TFLOPS
ROPs
96+500%
16
TMUs
184+229%
56
L1 Cache
5.8 MB+2536%
0.22 MB
L2 Cache
4 MB+1500%
0.25 MB

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 Radeon HD 7790 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070Radeon HD 7790
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
AMD Anti-Lag
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3070 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 7790 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 96 GB/s (Radeon HD 7790) — a 366.7% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3070. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 0.25 MB (Radeon HD 7790) — the GeForce RTX 3070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070Radeon HD 7790
VRAM Capacity
8 GB+300%
2 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
448 GB/s+367%
96 GB/s
Bus Width
256-bit+100%
128-bit
L2 Cache
4 MB+1500%
0.25 MB
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 12 (12_0) (Radeon HD 7790). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 5.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070Radeon HD 7790
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12 (12_0)
Vulkan
1.4+8%
1.3
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
5+25%
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3070) vs VCE 2.0 (Radeon HD 7790). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs UVD 4.2. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 (Radeon HD 7790).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070Radeon HD 7790
Encoder
NVENC 7th gen
VCE 2.0
Decoder
NVDEC 5th gen
UVD 4.2
Codecs
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3070 draws 220W versus the Radeon HD 7790's 85W — a 88.5% difference. The Radeon HD 7790 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 400W (Radeon HD 7790). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 1x 6-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 183mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 70.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070Radeon HD 7790
TDP
220W
85W-61%
Recommended PSU
650W
400W-38%
Power Connector
8-pin
1x 6-pin
Length
242mm
183mm
Height
112mm
111mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
75°C
70-7%
Perf/Watt
100.8+177%
36.4
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499 MSRP, while the Radeon HD 7790 launched at $149. The Radeon HD 7790 costs 70.1% less ($350 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 44.4 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 20.7 (Radeon HD 7790) — the GeForce RTX 3070 offers 114.5% better value. The GeForce RTX 3070 is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2013).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3070Radeon HD 7790
MSRP
$499
$149-70%
Performance per Dollar
44.4+114%
20.7
Codename
GA104
Bonaire
Release
September 1 2020
March 22 2013
Ranking
#63
#579