GeForce RTX 4070 vs M1 8-Core GPU

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4070

2023Core: 1920 MHzBoost: 2475 MHz
RTX family
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VS

M1 8-Core GPU

2020Core: 1278 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce RTX 4070 vs M1 8-Core GPU Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce RTX 4070 vs M1 8-Core GPU: 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 4070

2023

Why buy it

  • +438.4% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.9 vs 0 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • 500% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 2 GB).
  • Better long-term bet: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • 566.7% higher power demand at 200W vs 30W.

M1 8-Core GPU

2020

Why buy it

  • Draws 30W instead of 200W, a 170W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (5,000 vs 26,919).
  • Less VRAM, with 2 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.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 44.9 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $599 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 4070 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 438.4% in PassMark G3D (26,919 vs 5,000), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
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 2 GB of VRAM, the newer feature stack, with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) and DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023), while M1 8-Core GPU is limited to no meaningful modern upscaling stack and no comparable frame-generation support, 46 vs 0 ray-tracing units, 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 today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce RTX 4070 vs M1 8-Core GPU Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

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.

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 4070 scores 26,919 versus the M1 8-Core GPU's 5,000 — the GeForce RTX 4070 leads by 438.4%. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 8 (M1 8-Core GPU).

FeatureGeForce RTX 4070M1 8-Core GPU
G3D Mark Score
26,919+438%
5,000
Process Node
5 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
5888+73500%
8

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 M1 8-Core GPU does not have comparable native support in the same tier.The GeForce RTX 4070 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The M1 8-Core GPU leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4070M1 8-Core GPU
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
Yes (DLSS 3.5)
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 4070 has 12 GB of VRAM, while the M1 8-Core GPU carries 2 GB. GeForce RTX 4070 gives you 500% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 504 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 68 GB/s (M1 8-Core GPU) — a 641.2% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4070. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 4070 and Unified on the M1 8-Core GPU.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4070M1 8-Core GPU
VRAM Capacity
12 GB+500%
2 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6X
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
504 GB/s+641%
68 GB/s
Bus Width
192-bit
Unified
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs N/A (M1 8-Core GPU). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.1 (Rosetta 2). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4070M1 8-Core GPU
DirectX
12.2
N/A
OpenGL
4.6+12%
4.1 (Rosetta 2)
Max Displays
4+100%
2
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4070) vs Apple M1 Video Encoder (M1 8-Core GPU). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs Apple M1 Video Decoder. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW (M1 8-Core GPU).

FeatureGeForce RTX 4070M1 8-Core GPU
Encoder
8th Gen NVENC (2x)
Apple M1 Video Encoder
Decoder
5th Gen NVDEC
Apple M1 Video Decoder
Codecs
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1
H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4070 draws 200W versus the M1 8-Core GPU's 30W — a 147.8% difference. The M1 8-Core GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 350W (M1 8-Core GPU). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4070M1 8-Core GPU
TDP
200W
30W-85%
Recommended PSU
650W
350W-46%
Power Connector
8-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
304mm
Height
137mm
Slots
3
0-100%
Temp (Load)
80°C
Perf/Watt
134.6
166.7+24%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 4070 came in at $599, while the M1 8-Core GPU launched at $0. On MSRP, M1 8-Core GPU was 100+% cheaper ($599 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 44.9 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs Infinity (M1 8-Core GPU) — the M1 8-Core GPU offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 4070 (2023 vs 2020).

FeatureGeForce RTX 4070M1 8-Core GPU
MSRP
$599
$0-100%
Performance per Dollar
44.9
Infinity
Codename
AD104
Release
April 12 2023
November 10 2020
Ranking
#32
#428

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