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.

GeForce RTX 3080 vs GeForce RTX 4070 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce RTX 3080 vs GeForce RTX 4070: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce RTX 3080

2020

Why buy it

✅3.7% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅47.8% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (272 vs 184).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 10 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌GeForce RTX 4070 is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
❌
16.7% HIGHER MSRP
$699 MSRPvs$599 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 35.9 vs 44.9 G3D/$ ($699 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 4070

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($599 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
✅Delivers 25.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.9 vs 35.9 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅20% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 10 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3080 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (184 vs 272), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3080 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 3.7% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce RTX 4070 instead at 26,919 vs 25,071, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 4070 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 12 GB vs 10 GB of VRAM, the newer feature stack, with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) and DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023), while GeForce RTX 3080 is limited to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) and no comparable frame-generation support, a 5nm process instead of 8nm, and a newer 2023 generation instead of 2020. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 4070 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $100 cheaper on MSRP at $599 vs $699, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 25.3% (44.9 vs 35.9), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce RTX 3080 still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce RTX 3080 vs GeForce RTX 4070 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

GeForce RTX 3080

The GeForce RTX 3080 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1440 MHz to 1710 MHz. It has 8704 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 320W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 68 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 25,071 points. Launch price was $699.

GeForce RTX 4070

The GeForce RTX 4070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in April 12 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1920 MHz to 2475 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,919 points. Launch price was $599.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3080 scores 25,071 versus the GeForce RTX 4070's 26,919 — the GeForce RTX 4070 leads by 7.4%. The GeForce RTX 3080 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 4070 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 8,704 (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 4070). Raw compute: 29.77 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 29.15 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4070). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 2475 MHz. Ray tracing: 68 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 46 (GeForce RTX 4070) with 272 Tensor cores vs 184.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 4070
G3D Mark Score	25,071	26,919+7%
Architecture	Ampere	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	8704+48%	5888
Compute (TFLOPS)	29.77 TFLOPS+2%	29.15 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1710 MHz	2475 MHz+45%
ROPs	96+50%	64
TMUs	272+48%	184
L1 Cache	8.5 MB+47%	5.8 MB
L2 Cache	5 MB	36 MB+620%
Ray Tracing Cores	68+48%	46
Tensor Cores	272+48%	184

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The clearest feature edge for the GeForce RTX 4070 is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. In games that support it, that can smooth out motion and lift perceived FPS. The GeForce RTX 3080 does not have comparable native support in the same tier.The GeForce RTX 4070 supports the newer DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 3080 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 4070
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction	No	Yes (DLSS 3.5)
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3080 has 10 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4070 carries 12 GB. GeForce RTX 4070 gives you 20% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 760 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 504 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4070) — a 50.8% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3080. Memory bus width is 320-bit on the GeForce RTX 3080 and 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 4070. L2 Cache: 5 MB (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 36 MB (GeForce RTX 4070) — the GeForce RTX 4070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 4070
VRAM Capacity	10 GB	12 GB+20%
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	760 GB/s+51%	504 GB/s
Bus Width	320-bit+67%	192-bit
L2 Cache	5 MB	36 MB+620%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4070). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 4070
DirectX	12 Ultimate (12_2)	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Ampere) (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4070). Decoder: NVDEC (Ampere) vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3080) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4070).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 4070
Encoder	NVENC (Ampere)	8th Gen NVENC (2x)
Decoder	NVDEC (Ampere)	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3080 draws 320W versus the GeForce RTX 4070's 200W — a 46.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 4070 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 4070). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 285mm vs 304mm, occupying 2 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 4070
TDP	320W	200W-38%
Recommended PSU	750W	650W-13%
Power Connector	2x 8-pin	8-pin
Length	285mm	304mm
Height	112mm	137mm
Slots	2-33%	3
Temp (Load)	75-6%	80°C
Perf/Watt	78.3	134.6+72%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3080 came in at $699, while the GeForce RTX 4070 launched at $599. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 4070 was 14.3% cheaper ($100 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 35.9 (GeForce RTX 3080) vs 44.9 (GeForce RTX 4070) — the GeForce RTX 4070 offers 25.1% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 4070 (2023 vs 2020).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3080	GeForce RTX 4070
MSRP	$699	$599-14%
Performance per Dollar	35.9	44.9+25%
Codename	GA102	AD104
Release	September 1 2020	April 12 2023
Ranking	#41	#32

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