GeForce RTX 3070 vs GeForce GTX 960M
GeForce RTX 3070
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GeForce GTX 960M
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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 3070
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 960M
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3070 uses modern memory architecture. The GeForce RTX 3070 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 960M lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3070 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 556.9% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (8 GB vs 4 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 960M.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce GTX 960M |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+556.9%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-556.9%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3070 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $200 (vs $50), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 64.2% better value per dollar than the GeForce GTX 960M.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce GTX 960M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+64.2%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($200) | ✅More affordable ($50) |
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 3070 and GeForce GTX 960M
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.
GeForce GTX 960M
The GeForce GTX 960M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1096 MHz to 1176 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,375 points.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3070 scores 22,172 versus the GeForce GTX 960M's 3,375 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 556.9%. The GeForce RTX 3070 is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTX 960M uses Maxwell, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 640 (GeForce GTX 960M). Raw compute: 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 1.505 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 960M). Boost clocks: 1725 MHz vs 1176 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce GTX 960M |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 22,172+557% | 3,375 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Maxwell |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 5888+820% | 640 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 20.31 TFLOPS+1250% | 1.505 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1725 MHz+47% | 1176 MHz |
| ROPs | 96+500% | 16 |
| TMUs | 184+360% | 40 |
| L1 Cache | 5.8 MB+1771% | 0.31 MB |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+100% | 2 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 GeForce GTX 960M relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce GTX 960M |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 3070 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 960M has 4 GB. The GeForce RTX 3070 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 960M) — the GeForce RTX 3070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce GTX 960M |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB+100% | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 448 GB/s | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 256-bit+100% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+100% | 2 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 960M). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce GTX 960M |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 (11_0) |
| Vulkan | 1.4+8% | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3070) vs NVENC (4th Gen) (GeForce GTX 960M). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC (1st Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,H.265 (GeForce GTX 960M).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce GTX 960M |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th gen | NVENC (4th Gen) |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th gen | NVDEC (1st Gen) |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 | MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,H.265 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3070 draws 220W versus the GeForce GTX 960M's 75W — a 98.3% difference. The GeForce GTX 960M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 960M). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 1x 6-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 82.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce GTX 960M |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 220W | 75W-66% |
| Recommended PSU | 650W | 350W-46% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 0mm |
| Height | 112mm | 0mm |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C-9% | 82 |
| Perf/Watt | 100.8+124% | 45.0 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 960M costs 75% less ($150 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 110.9 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 67.5 (GeForce GTX 960M) — the GeForce RTX 3070 offers 64.3% better value. The GeForce RTX 3070 is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce GTX 960M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $499 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $200 | $50-75% |
| Performance per Dollar | 110.9+64% | 67.5 |
| Codename | GA104 | GM107 |
| Release | September 1 2020 | March 13 2015 |
| Ranking | #63 | #552 |
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