GeForce RTX 3070 vs Radeon HD 3850
GeForce RTX 3070
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Radeon HD 3850
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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 Radeon HD 3850
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3070 is significantly newer (2020 vs 2012). 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 Radeon HD 3850 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 5429.2% higher G3D Mark score and 700% more VRAM (8 GB vs 1 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 3850.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon HD 3850 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+5429.2%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-5429.2%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) |
| 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 | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3070 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $200 (vs $179), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 4848.6% better value per dollar than the Radeon HD 3850.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon HD 3850 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+4848.6%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($200) | ✅More affordable ($179) |
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 Radeon HD 3850
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.
Radeon HD 3850
The Radeon HD 3850 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in March 5 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 401 points. Launch price was $249.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3070 scores 22,172 versus the Radeon HD 3850's 401 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 5429.2%. The GeForce RTX 3070 is built on Ampere while the Radeon HD 3850 uses GCN 1.0, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 1,024 (Radeon HD 3850). Raw compute: 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 1.761 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 3850). Boost clocks: 1725 MHz vs 1000 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon HD 3850 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 22,172+5429% | 401 |
| Architecture | Ampere | GCN 1.0 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 5888+475% | 1024 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 20.31 TFLOPS+1053% | 1.761 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1725 MHz+73% | 1000 MHz |
| ROPs | 96+200% | 32 |
| TMUs | 184+188% | 64 |
| L1 Cache | 5.8 MB+2220% | 0.25 MB |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+700% | 0.5 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 3850 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon HD 3850 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | 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 3850 has 1 GB. The GeForce RTX 3070 offers 700% 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 0.5 MB (Radeon HD 3850) — the GeForce RTX 3070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon HD 3850 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB+700% | 1 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 448 GB/s | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 256-bit+100% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+700% | 0.5 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 10.1 (Radeon HD 3850). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon HD 3850 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate+19% | 10.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.6+39% | 3.3 |
| Max Displays | 4+100% | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs UVD+. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs H.264,VC-1,DivX,MPEG-1,MPEG-2 (Radeon HD 3850).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon HD 3850 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th gen | — |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th gen | UVD+ |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 | H.264,VC-1,DivX,MPEG-1,MPEG-2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3070 draws 220W versus the Radeon HD 3850's 130W — a 51.4% difference. The Radeon HD 3850 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 450W (Radeon HD 3850). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 1x 6-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 208mm, occupying 2 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon HD 3850 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 220W | 130W-41% |
| Recommended PSU | 650W | 450W-31% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 208mm |
| Height | 112mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 1-50% |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C-6% | 80°C |
| Perf/Watt | 100.8+3152% | 3.1 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499 MSRP and currently averages $200, while the Radeon HD 3850 launched at $179 and now averages $179. The Radeon HD 3850 costs 10.5% less ($21 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 110.9 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 2.2 (Radeon HD 3850) — the GeForce RTX 3070 offers 4940.9% better value. The GeForce RTX 3070 is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2012).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | Radeon HD 3850 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $499 | $179-64% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $200 | $179-11% |
| Performance per Dollar | 110.9+4941% | 2.2 |
| Codename | GA104 | Pitcairn |
| Release | September 1 2020 | March 5 2012 |
| Ranking | #63 | #503 |
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