RTX 3070 vs RTX 2070 vs GTX 1070

RTX 3070 vs RTX 2070 vs GTX 1070 – GPU Comparison

The recently launched Nvidia RTX 3070 graphics card has arrived, but how does it stack up against its predecessor, the RTX 2070 from the previous generation? Or let’s go further back in time to compare with GTX 1070. I tested all three cards for gaming performance at various resolutions such as 4K,1440p and1080p along with their suitability for content creation tasks so that you can see where they differ.

I’ll break down how these three NVIDIA GPUs compare across generations:

Performance Overview

The RTX 3070 is the clear performance leader, offering roughly 60-80% better gaming performance than the RTX 2070, and about 90-110% better than the GTX 1070. The RTX 2070 sits comfortably in the middle, delivering around 30-40% better performance than the GTX 1070.

Key Specifications

The RTX 3070 features 8GB GDDR6 memory, 5888 CUDA cores, and uses the Ampere architecture with a boost clock around 1.73 GHz. The RTX 2070 has 8GB GDDR6, 2304 CUDA cores on the Turing architecture, boosting to about 1.62 GHz. The GTX 1070 comes with 8GB GDDR5, 1920 CUDA cores, and Pascal architecture with a 1.68 GHz boost clock.

Technology Features

The most significant difference is in ray tracing and DLSS capabilities. The RTX 3070 has second-generation RT cores and third-generation Tensor cores, making it excellent for ray tracing with minimal performance impact. The RTX 2070 introduced first-generation ray tracing but with more noticeable performance costs. The GTX 1070 lacks dedicated ray tracing hardware entirely.

Both RTX cards support DLSS, with the 3070 benefiting from the more advanced DLSS 2.0 and later versions, while the GTX 1070 cannot use this performance-boosting technology.

Gaming Performance

At 1440p gaming, the RTX 3070 typically maintains 100+ fps in most AAA titles at high-ultra settings. The RTX 2070 delivers solid 60-80 fps at similar settings, while the GTX 1070 manages 45-60 fps but may require reduced settings in newer demanding games.

Value Consideration

If you’re buying used or finding deals, the RTX 2070 can offer good value as a middle ground, especially if ray tracing isn’t a priority. The GTX 1070 remains capable for 1080p gaming but is showing its age with newer titles. The RTX 3070 provides the best future-proofing and is worth the investment if you plan to keep the card for several years.

Would you like me to dive deeper into any specific aspect, like performance in particular games or power consumption differences?

Spec Differences

Beginning with the specifications disparities, it is notable that all three cards offer an 8gb memory capacity. Nevertheless, this mainly represents the sole commonality between them. It comes as no surprise that more advanced specs are available for newer models.

In terms of pricing, both the 3070 and its predecessor -the 2070- have a similar MSRP at $500 USD each; however their launch prices highly exceeded those of the comparatively cheaper model which was previously released: The classic version numbered “1070”. Moreover, nowadays one can easily obtain a used copy of such device for less than two hundred dollars.

Summary

The 3070 surpasses the 2070 in performance, both within and beyond gaming. With its similar MSRP launch price, choosing the 3070 is a no-brainer except for those who prefer purchasing a used warranty-less second-hand model of the older card at an attractive rate. The trusty 1070 still provides playable gameplay experience across most games even when set on higher graphical levels at resolutions ranging from1080p to1444p; alternatives include lowering graphic settings slightly if desired.

The 3070 provides substantial performance improvements over the 1070, making it a solid choice if you have $500 to spare. However, that is quite a significant amount of money for a graphics card. If you already possess a 2070 and can sell it at an attractive price point, upgrading to the 3070 might be worth considering due to its impressive capabilities. Nonetheless, even though the 2070 remains highly capable presently speaking; getting your hands on the latest model could pave way towards better upgrade alternatives.

Bertine Gaynor

A passionate tech enthusiast with a deep focus on PC hardware, gaming rigs, and performance tuning, Bertine Gaynor has spent years exploring the latest innovations in processors, GPUs, and custom builds. On DigitalUpbeat.com, he shares hands-on reviews, performance breakdowns, and expert insights to help readers make smart hardware choices. When not testing components, he’s often optimizing setups for peak efficiency or diving into the latest tech trends shaping the future of computing.