GeForce RTX 4070 vs GeForce GTX 970
GeForce RTX 4070
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GeForce GTX 970
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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
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 4070 is significantly newer (2023 vs 2014). The GeForce RTX 4070 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 970 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 4070 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 179.2% higher G3D Mark score and 200% more VRAM (12 GB vs 4 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 970.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+179.2%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-179.2%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) / 5nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (304mm) | Standard Size (267mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 970 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $50 versus $550 for the GeForce RTX 4070, it costs 91% less. While it maintains significantly lower raw performance, this results in a 293.9% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+293.9%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($550) | ✅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 4070 and GeForce GTX 970
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 GTX 970
The GeForce GTX 970 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 19 2014. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1050 MHz to 1178 MHz. It has 1664 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,640 points. Launch price was $329.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4070 scores 26,919 versus the GeForce GTX 970's 9,640 — the GeForce RTX 4070 leads by 179.2%. The GeForce RTX 4070 is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce GTX 970 uses Maxwell 2.0, both on 5 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 1,664 (GeForce GTX 970). Raw compute: 29.15 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 3.92 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 970). Boost clocks: 2475 MHz vs 1178 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 26,919+179% | 9,640 |
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Maxwell 2.0 |
| Process Node | 5 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 5888+254% | 1664 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 29.15 TFLOPS+644% | 3.92 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 2475 MHz+110% | 1178 MHz |
| ROPs | 64+14% | 56 |
| TMUs | 184+77% | 104 |
| L1 Cache | 5.8 MB+851% | 0.61 MB |
| L2 Cache | 36 MB+1700% | 2 MB |
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 GTX 970 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 4070 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The GeForce GTX 970 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 3.5 | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | DLSS 3.0 (Native) | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | Yes (DLSS 3.5) | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 4070 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 970 has 4 GB. The GeForce RTX 4070 offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 504 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 224 GB/s (GeForce GTX 970) — a 125% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4070. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 36 MB (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 970) — the GeForce RTX 4070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB+200% | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 504 GB/s+125% | 224 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 192-bit | 256-bit+33% |
| L2 Cache | 36 MB+1700% | 2 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 12 (FL 12_1) (GeForce GTX 970). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.2+2% | 12 (FL 12_1) |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4070) vs NVENC 2nd gen (GeForce GTX 970). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs PureVideo VP6. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 970).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | 8th Gen NVENC (2x) | NVENC 2nd gen |
| Decoder | 5th Gen NVDEC | PureVideo VP6 |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 | H.264,H.265/HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 4070 draws 200W versus the GeForce GTX 970's 150W — a 28.6% difference. The GeForce GTX 970 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 500W (GeForce GTX 970). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 304mm vs 267mm, occupying 3 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 80°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 200W | 150W-25% |
| Recommended PSU | 650W | 500W-23% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 2x 6-pin |
| Length | 304mm | 267mm |
| Height | 137mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 3 | 2-33% |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 80°C |
| Perf/Watt | 134.6+109% | 64.3 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 4070 launched at $599 MSRP and currently averages $550, while the GeForce GTX 970 launched at $329 and now averages $50. The GeForce GTX 970 costs 90.9% less ($500 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 48.9 (GeForce RTX 4070) vs 192.8 (GeForce GTX 970) — the GeForce GTX 970 offers 294.3% better value. The GeForce RTX 4070 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $599 | $329-45% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $550 | $50-91% |
| Performance per Dollar | 48.9 | 192.8+294% |
| Codename | AD104 | GM204 |
| Release | April 12 2023 | September 19 2014 |
| Ranking | #32 | #269 |
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