Introduction
Nvidia have just released the RTX 4070, which seems like a natural progression leading on from the RTX 4070Ti release earlier in the year. Compared to the other RTX 4000 series GPUs, this card has subverted our expectations with a smaller design and and more affordable price point.
Whilst the value of Team Green’s latest release offers a strong proposition compared its fellow RTX 4000 cards, we’re interested to see how it holds up against Nvidia’s previous-gen offerings. With most of the previous 40 series releases failing to tempt the majority of gamers away from the more affordable RTX 3000 series, will this be the GPU that finally turns the tide?
To find out, we’re throwing the RTX 4070 into a GPU Versus Battle with its previous-gen counterpart – the RTX 3070 – to see which graphics card is the better choice for consumers, and whether the RTX 4070 is worth the upgrade. We’ll be judging both cards on their design, architecture, value, and gaming performance to declare an outright winner.
Suggested Article: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 vs Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070Ti
GPU Versus Battle
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
| Memory Capacity | 12GB GDDR6X |
| Boost Clock Speed | 2.4GHz |
| RT Cores | 46 |
| CUDA Cores | 5888 |
| TDP | 200W |
| Release Date | April 2023 |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon |
From what we’ve seen so far from Nvidia’s RTX 4070, this graphics card looks to be the start of a upturn in fortune for the RTX 4000 series. Presuming that other cards are on the way, the RTX 4070 sets the precedent for other cards to follow with a smaller design and more affordable price point compared to the high-end options have released previously.
Though Nvidia started their current generation of graphics cards strong with the release of the RTX 4090, the subsequent RTX 4080 and RTX 4070Ti announcements were less successful. The main issues that consumers had with these particular options related to the fairly steep pricing and larger size, especially when compared to the previous generation of GPUs.
Luckily, the RTX 4070 looks to be the first card in the series to address these issues to provide a more competitive mid-range offering. Boasting an MSRP of $599, the RTX 4070 is significantly cheaper than expected, putting it close to the pricing we would expect to pay for a mid-range graphics card. In addition, the RTX 4070’s form factor is very similar to the RTX 3000 GPUs, which means the case compatibility worries with the more expensive 40 series cards are not a problem.
Performance-wise, it’s no surprise to see the RTX 4070 is slightly weaker than Nvidia’s more expensive cards. However, this GPU does provide strong framerates at both 1440p and 4K, making it a great choice for a mid-range gaming PC. Also, the RTX 4070 is currently the cheapest way to access DLSS 3, which can boost performance capabilities further thanks to the revolutionary frame generation technology. Although, the titles that can utilise this technology is still fairly restricted and enabling it can lead to a drop in visual fidelity.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070
| Memory Capacity | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Boost Clock Speed | 1.73GHz |
| RT Cores | 46 |
| CUDA Cores | 5888 |
| TDP | 220W |
| Release Date | October 2020 |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon |
As one of the first cards to launch as part of the RTX 3000 series, Nvidia’s RTX 3070 has been one of the best graphics cards for those looking to play games at 1440p for quite some time. Whilst the pricing of the 3070 has fluctuated due to unforeseen circumstances, the original $499 MSRP made this GPU a rather popular choice amongst consumers thanks to its favourable price-to-performance metrics. Even with the release of the more powerful cards in recent months, the RTX 3070 has remained a fairly popular choice amongst gamers, so it will be interesting to see whether the perception of this graphics card will change with the release of a direct successor.
In terms of performance, the RTX 3070 is most comfortable running at 1440p, offering strong performance in a range of titles at this resolution. Whilst this GPU isn’t really meant to be used for 4K gaming, it will provide respectable framerates in a number of titles at the higher resolution. Additionally, the RTX 3070 can take advantage of DLSS to artificially enhance image quality without suffering the performance overhead that comes with higher resolutions. However, this card is not designed to handle ray-tracing or the frame generation benefits of DLSS 3.0, which means upscaling the image quality can lead to reduced performance.
When it comes to design, RTX 3070 cards tend to be significantly smaller than the higher-end options from Nvidia. As a result, consumers won’t have to worry as much about the clearance issues that have been a common problem with 40 series cards. Whilst the RTX 4070 looks to eliminate this issue for those gamers looking to upgrade without having to pick up a new case, the RTX 3070 is a safe bet for consumers worried about size.
Lovelace vs Ampere – What are the Differences?
The best way to sum up the differences between Nvidia’s Lovelace and Ampere architecture is that Ampere provided the foundations for Lovelace to build upon. Along with a general increase in RT, CUDA, and Tensor Cores, the Ada Lovelace architecture used in RTX 4000 series GPUs also provides an enhanced revision of DLSS known as DLSS 3. These changes result in more powerful GPUs that can handle more intense tasks such as ray-tracing and 4K gaming on high settings with less issues.
DLSS 3 has certainly taken the spotlight when it comes to the changes that Ada Lovelace has made from it’s predecessor, mainly thanks to the introduction of Nvidia’s frame generation technology. This revolutionary feature uses AI to generate new frames between the two existing frames, resulting in smother gameplay while improving on the upscaled resolution and ray-tracing capabilities first introduced with the Ampere architecture. Though the number of titles that can take full advantage of the Ada Lovelace technology is currently fairly restricted, more titles are constantly being added to the list.
Whilst it would be easy to take the improvements on the Ada Lovelace and disregard the previous-gen technology, that would undermine the importance of the Ampere architecture to the PC gaming industry. Providing arguably the biggest performance jump between generations, the introduction of RTX 3000 brought with it a huge leap in performance across all levels of gaming, along with a revitalised DLSS format for incredible ray-tracing performance. On top of all this, gamers could access the benefits of Ampere on release thanks to the affordable pricing.
Our Favourite RTX 4070 GPU
1. Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Founders Edition
👑The cheapest and smallest option.
Introduction
When any graphics card first arrives on the scene, opting for the Founders Edition card is typically the safest bet, as you know exactly what to expect in terms of price and performance. As we are currently unaware of how far the prices of each 4070 variants will vary from the surprisingly cheap $599 MSRP, Nvidia’s is the only offering that we can trust to offer this great value- well, for as long as it is available anyway!
But the cheaper price isn’t the only reason to pick up a Founders Edition, as they provide plenty of other benefits. For example, the lack of an elaborate design with bulky heatsinks and RGB strips means this card remains fairly compact, resulting in this card being one of the smaller options on the market. As a result, gamers won’t have to worry about this GPU not fitting into their existing PC build. Plus, the design is not going to look out of place and looks fairly sleek in most builds.
Key Specs
| Key Spec | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Founders Edition |
|---|---|
| Base Clock Speed | 1.92GHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 2.57GHz |
| RT Cores | 46 |
| CUDA Cores | 5888 |
| Wattage | 200W |
Things We Like
Affordable price point: Like most Founders Edition designs, the RTX 4070 will be one of the cheapest options available for those looking to get their hands on Nvidia’s latest release. And with the MSRP being surprisingly good value, picking up a 4070 GPU will be crucial for those looking for an affordable way to upgrade to the latest generation.
Strong thermals: As the template for other manufacturers to follow, the Founders Edition cards often provide a solid combination of performance, thermals, and design. Despite being significantly smaller than other 40 series cards, the RTX 4070 still provides impressive thermal regulation, meaning you won’t have to constantly worry about this GPU overheating.
Things We Don’t Like
Lack of aesthetic: Anyone that has seen the previous RTX 4000 and RTX 3000 graphics cards won’t be in for any surprises with the RTX 4070 Founders Edition, as it shares an identical appearance with its predecessors. So for those looking to spice up their build with a GPU with RGB lighting and a complex shape, this isn’t the card to choose.
May require additional upgrades: Whilst the money saved from grabbing this card at MSRP will be appreciated by price-conscious gamers, upgrading to a 40 series GPU often requires upgrades elsewhere to achieve optimal performance. Whether it’s a new component or set of accessories, gamers jumping to the latest generation should be prepared for the additional costs.
Summary
As things stand, the RTX 4070 Founders Edition is the cheapest way to access Nvidia’s latest generation of graphics cards. Available for surprisingly reduced price compared to the other 40 series releases, the RTX 4070 provides a competitive alternative to the more affordable previous-gen offerings, making the switch to RTX 4000 more tempting than ever. This card in particular is also the smallest 40 series GPU while offering strong thermals and great performance at 1440p and 4K, making it a very appealing choice for mid-range systems.
Features: 4/5
Design: 3.8/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 4.2/5
Pros
- Available at MSRP
- Small form factor
- Strong thermals
Cons
- May require additional upgrades
- No RGB options.
Where to Buy
Buy the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Founders Edition on:
Our Favourite RTX 3070 GPU
2. Gigabyte Eagle RTX 3070 OC Edition
👑The best all-round option.
Introduction
For those interested in a graphics card that offers more in the aesthetics department whilst also being cheaper than Nvidia’s latest release, then the Gigabyte Eagle RTX 3070 is worth considering. Though this particular card is slightly above MSRP, it does provide some significant to performance and thermals, along with a unique look that will stand out when slotted into a gaming PC.
The main benefit from this design compared to other SKUs is the strong thermal regulation that comes with Gigabyte’s WINDFORCE cooling system. Featuring a triple-fan design that includes a unique fan shape, the Eagle OC Edition offers great airflow which keeps the system nice and cool. Another unique aspect of this GPU is the grey colour-scheme, which is accented by an RGB strip that adds a nice hint of colour to any PC build.
Key Specs
| Key Spec | Gigabyte Eagle RTX 3070 OC Edition |
|---|---|
| Base Clock Speed | 1.57GHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 1.77GHz |
| RT Cores | 46 |
| CUDA Cores | 5888 |
| Wattage | 220W |
Things We Like
Great thermals: One of the ways in which manufacturers look to improve on Nvidia’s reference card with their SKUs is to provide larger heatsinks with more advanced cooling in order to improve thermal regulation. Whilst a lot of variants struggle to offer significant improvements in this area, the Eagle OC Edition has no issues keeping the temperature down.
Improved performance: Another benefit that comes with more advanced designs like this one is the boost in performance. Whilst the slight increase in clock speeds relate to a fairly marginal improvement in framerates, the added performance often comes closer to more expensive GPUs such as the 3070Ti while remaining at a cheaper price point.
Things We Don’t Like
Increased price: Due to this SKU offering improvements across the board, the additional features leads to a slightly heftier price tag. As a result, the price of this card is not too far off the brand-new RTX 4070 MSRP, which puts the overall value of this card into question.
Lack of DLSS 3.0: As a RTX 3000 series GPU, the RTX 3070 is not compatible with NVIDIA’s most recent DLSS 3 technology. This means that anyone with this GPU will miss out on the improved ray-tracing and frame generation that comes with Team Green’s latest set of graphics cards.
Summary
Overall, the Gigabyte Eagle RTX 3070 is a fairly affordable way to pick up a graphics card that has a unique look and provides improved thermals and performance from the original RTX 3070 design. With the integration of Gigabyte’s WINDFORCE cooling technology, along with RGB lighting, this card is a good alternative option for gamers that want a card that offers a more distinct appearance on top of the strong thermals and performance.
Features: 4/5
Design: 4/5
Performance: 3.8/5
Value for Money: 3.9/5
Pros
- Great thermals
- Unique design with RGB
- Improved performance
Cons
- More expensive than MSRP
- Lacks DLSS 3.0
Where to Buy
Buy the Gigabyte Eagle RTX 3070 on:
How We Tested the RTX 4070 and RTX 3070
Here at GeekaWhat, we’re very fortunate to receive a variety of components through our doors from a number of brands. But we don’t just look at these products once and then throw them to the side, we make sure each and every one item that arrives in the office is tested in a fair manner. In order to test each product fairly, we have a standardised procedure that is replicated anytime something new appears in one of our PC builds.
For graphics cards in particular, this involves some general inspections of the card and the contents included before throwing it into our benchmarking PC to test how it performs within the latest and greatest titles. To make sure our results are accurate and consistent, we use MSI Afterburner to record the utilisation, thermals, as well as the all-important framerates. For further clarification, we use Nvidia’s Frameview software to check that frames remain consistent across all applications. The titles within our benchmarking suite includes a range of popular titles, ranging from competitive titles like Apex Legends and Fortnite, to story-driven blockbusters such as Spider-Man Miles Morales and Cyberpunk 2077.
We’ve put multiple RTX 3070 and RTX 4070 GPUs through their paces in a collection of games to see how they match up with other graphics cards from AMD and Nvidia, along with general productivity benchmarks to see how these cards will cope in a multifaceted system. For a more detailed look at our evaluation process, check out some our other articles that feature these GPUs below.
| Article | Review Link |
|---|---|
| NVIDIA RTX 4070 Review | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Review |
| Best 1440p Gaming GPUs | Best Graphics Cards to Buy for 1440p Gaming in 2023 |
| RTX 4070Ti vs RTX 3070 | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070Ti vs Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 |
Gaming Benchmarks
Now that we’ve compared the differences between the two GPUs on paper, it’s time to put them head-to-head in a range of the latest titles to gather those all-important gaming benchmarks! For this comparison, we’ll be testing these cards in a number of Esports titles at 1080p and 1440p to see how they perform in competitive gaming scenarios. Along with results for both the RTX 3070 and RTX 4070, the graphs below will also show the average framerates from a range of graphics cards from AMD and Nvidia to show how these cards perform against other options on the market.
You can find our full benchmarking runs for a range of graphics cards on various titles on our dedicated YouTube Channel – Benched!
Fortnite GPU Winner – RTX 4070
Starting off with the ultimate test for competitive 1080p gaming on Fortnite and the RTX 4070 takes an early lead. Whilst both cards provide more than enough performance to satisfy the demands of even the most competitive gamers in this title, the RTX 4070 is comfortably ahead of the RTX 3070, sitting just below the more expensive 3090Ti and 4070Ti.
In addition, the RTX 4070 is well above the 240Hz mark, which is slowly becoming a popular choice for competitive gaming displays. Even though the average framerates for the RTX 3070 also sits above this mark, it only surpasses this mark by a few frames, which suggests this will occasionally drop below this point during gaming sessions.
Apex Legends Winner – RTX 3070
Moving onto Apex Legends, the difference between the two GPUs comes a lot closer to each other, with the performance of the RTX 4070 struggling to keep up with the other RTX 4000 graphics cards. With only a 9 FPS difference between the two cards and both options comfortably above the 144Hz ‘sweet-spot’ for 1440p gaming, the RTX 3070 is the better choice in this scenario.
Despite the RTX 4070 offering slighter higher framerates, Nvidia’s latest offering is well below the expected frame rate this time around, as it is not even close to the RTX 3080, a card that it normally outperforms pretty easily. As for the RTX 3070, it performs as expected, providing a significant boost compared to the less powerful GPUs while remaining fairly close to the RTX 3070Ti and RTX 4070.
COD Warzone 2.0 Winner – RTX 4070
In Warzone 2.0, both GPUs performed as expected when running at 1440p high settings. As a more graphically demanding title, the majority of graphics cards struggle to hit the desired 144Hz, but the RTX 4070 comes a lot closer. In addition, the RTX 4070 is only a few frames below the RTX 4070Ti, making it a solid price-to-performance offering for Call of Duty.
That being said, the RTX 3070 doesn’t perform badly here by any means, as it manages to hit an average frame rate well above 100 frames per second, which should be enough to offer satisfying competitive gameplay. However, the increased frames from the RTX 4070 makes it the clear choice for this title.
Battlefield 2042 Winner – RTX 4070
Rounding things off with another visually intense game that demands a lot from the graphics card, Battlefield 2042. With 1440p high settings enabled, the RTX 4070 had its best result yet, outperforming the likes of the 3090Ti and 4070Ti. The performance in this title even rivals the RTX 4080, a card that is available for double the MSRP of the 4070.
Again, the RTX 3070 performs as you would expect, but is significantly weaker than Nvidia’s latest release. As a result, the RTX 4070 is the better choice for gamers looking for strong performance in titles that require more graphical fidelity.
Conclusion
GPU Versus Winner – NVIDIA RTX 4070
So which of Nvidia’s ’70’ series graphics card should you consider for your latest gaming PC? Our clear winner of this GPU versus battle is the RTX 4070. In terms of gaming benchmarks, it was no surprise to see that the RTX 4070 outperformed its predecessor in every game that we tested, achieving a significant improvement in most cases as well. The 4070 was particularly impressive in more demanding titles such as Battlefield 2042 and Warzone 2.0, managing to compete with the more expensive cards.
But the main advantages that Nvidia’s latest release has compared to the previous RTX 4000 GPUs is the reduced price and decreased form factor, as this eliminates the problems that the majority of consumers had with the previous releases. This spells trouble for the RTX 3070, as the extra $100 required to pick up the next-gen equivalent that provides better gameplay without having to deal with the logistics of a gigantic card seems like a steal in today’s market.
It’s great to see that the issues with the previous entries to the 40 series line-up have been addressed with the RTX 4070 while maintaining the significant improvements to 1440p and 4K gaming. As a result, we expect the RTX 4070 to be a popular choice among mid-range gamers which will make the RTX 3070 fairly redundant.
Buy the RTX 4070 on:
Buy the RTX 3070 on:
