GeForce RTX 4070 vs GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
GeForce RTX 4070
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GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
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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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 4070
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 4070 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.3% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.3%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.3%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) / 5nm) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (304mm) | Standard Size (285mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $500 versus $550 for the GeForce RTX 4070, it costs 9% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 8.6% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+8.6%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($550) | ✅More affordable ($500) |
Performance Check
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 7800X3D 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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 4070 and GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
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.
GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 11 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1260 MHz to 1710 MHz. It has 8960 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 70 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,569 points. Launch price was $799.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce RTX 4070 scores 26,919 and the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB reaches 26,569 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 4070 is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB uses Ampere, both on 5 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB). Raw compute: 29.15 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB). Boost clocks: 2475 MHz vs 1710 MHz. Ray tracing: 46 RT cores (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 70 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) with 184 Tensor cores vs 280.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 26,919+1% | 26,569 |
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Ampere |
| Process Node | 5 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 5888 | 8960+52% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 29.15 TFLOPS | 30.64 TFLOPS+5% |
| Boost Clock | 2475 MHz+45% | 1710 MHz |
| ROPs | 64 | 96+50% |
| TMUs | 184 | 280+52% |
| L1 Cache | 5.8 MB | 8.8 MB+52% |
| L2 Cache | 36 MB+500% | 6 MB |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 46 | 70+52% |
| Tensor Cores | 184 | 280+52% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4070 is support for DLSS 3 Frame Gen. 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 3080 12GB lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 4070 supports the newer DLSS 3.5 (including Frame Gen/Ray Reconstruction), whereas the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB is capped at DLSS 2.0.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 3.5 | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | DLSS 3.0 (Native) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | Yes (DLSS 3.5) | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 12 GB of GDDR6X. Memory bandwidth: 504 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 912 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) — a 81% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB. Bus width: 192-bit vs 384-bit. L2 Cache: 36 MB (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) — the GeForce RTX 4070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR6X |
| Memory Bandwidth | 504 GB/s | 912 GB/s+81% |
| Bus Width | 192-bit | 384-bit+100% |
| L2 Cache | 36 MB+500% | 6 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.2+2% | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.4+8% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4070) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | 8th Gen NVENC (2x) | NVENC 7th gen |
| Decoder | 5th Gen NVDEC | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 4070 draws 200W versus the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB's 350W — a 54.5% difference. The GeForce RTX 4070 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 750W (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 304mm vs 285mm, occupying 3 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 80°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W-43% | 350W |
| Recommended PSU | 650W-13% | 750W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 2x 8-pin |
| Length | 304mm | 285mm |
| Height | 137mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 3 | 2-33% |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 80°C |
| Perf/Watt | 134.6+77% | 75.9 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 4070 launched at $599 MSRP and currently averages $550, while the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB launched at $1250 and now averages $500. The GeForce RTX 3080 12GB costs 9.1% less ($50 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 48.9 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 53.1 (GeForce RTX 3080 12GB) — the GeForce RTX 3080 12GB offers 8.6% better value. The GeForce RTX 4070 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2022).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 3080 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $599-52% | $1250 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $550 | $500-9% |
| Performance per Dollar | 48.9 | 53.1+9% |
| Codename | AD104 | GA102 |
| Release | April 12 2023 | January 11 2022 |
| Ranking | #32 | #38 |
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