RTX 2070 Vs RTX 3070: Worth Upgrading? [Benchmarks]

See full bio

Abde Manaf

At Tech4Gamers, I began as a comparison writer, analyzing GPU and CPU performance. Now, I focus on writing reviews and contributing to the best-ofs section, sharing personal insights after hands-on testing.

See full bio

Pros & Cons

Comparison Table

Architectural Differences

• Core/Thread Counts: The RTX 2070 has 2304 CUDA Cores and 288 Tensor Cores, while the RTX 3070 has 5888 CUDA Cores and 184 Tensor Cores.
• Clock Speeds: The RTX 2070 clocks at a 1410 MHz base and 1620 MHz boost, while the RTX 3070 runs faster at a 1500 MHz base and 1725 MHz boost.
• Memory Support: The RTX 2070 and RTX 3070 shared memory support, each with 8GB of GDDR6 memory. This ensures a comparable level of memory capacity for graphics processing tasks.
• TDP (Thermal Design Power): The TDP of the RTX 2070 is not explicitly mentioned, but it falls around 175 watts. The TDP of the RTX 3070 is also not mentioned, but it generally falls around 220 watts.

Nvidia launched the RTX 2070 in 2018, marking its entry into ray-tracing capabilities. We’ve thoroughly reviewed both the RTX 3070 and the RTX 2070. Now, let’s compare their performance head-to-head. These GPUs offer unique features and specs, promising gamers and tech enthusiasts an amazing showdown.

Gaming Benchmarks

In this comparison section, I will provide benchmarks comparing the RTX 2070 vs RTX 3070 in real-world gaming scenarios.

Testing Rig

• OS: Windows 10 Pro
• CPU: Intel Core i7-10700K
• Motherboard: MSI Mag Z490 Tomahawk
• RAM: Patriot Viper LED DDR4-3600 16GB RAM
• SSD: Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus G 2TB NVMe SSD
• Cooler: Deepcool Assassin II CPU Cooler
• PSU: ENERMAX REVOLUTION D.F. X 1050W

The Last Of Us (DLSS ON RT OFF)

• In this benchmark test, the RTX 2070 achieved an average of 19 FPS in The Last of Us, while the RTX 3070 exhibited a significantly higher standard of 57 FPS.
• Analyzing the 1% lows, a similar trend was observed. The RTX 2070 experienced 1% lows of 16 FPS, whereas the RTX 3070 showcased significantly better performance with 1% lows of around 43 FPS.

Sons Of The Forest (RT OFF DLSS OFF)

• The RTX 2070 achieved an average of 49 FPS, while the RTX 3070 delivered a notably higher standard of 72 FPS in Sons of The Forest.
• Regarding 1% lows, the RTX 2070 exhibited 35 FPS, whereas the RTX 3070 showcased improved performance with 44 FPS. This performance difference ensures the RTX 3070 has more minor hitches in more demanding moments.

Hogwarts Legacy (RT ON DLSS ON)

• For Hogwarts Legacy with DLSS on and RT on, the RTX 2070 achieved an average of 49 FPS, while the RTX 3070 showcased a higher average of 61 FPS.
• Now the RTX 2070 exhibited a 1% lows of 33 FPS, while the RTX 3070 outperformed it with a 1% lows of 42 FPS with DLSS and Ray Tracing turned on.

Fortnite (LUMEN ON TSR Quality)

• When running Fortnite with LUMEN (Lighting and Global Illumination Technology) enabled and TSR (Temporal Super Resolution) set to Quality, the RTX 3070 delivers a significantly higher average FPS, averaging 56 FPS, compared to the almost unplayable performance of the RTX 2070’s averaging about 33 FPS.
• In intense gaming moments, the RTX 3070 showcases improved performance with 1% lows of 44 FPS, surpassing the RTX 2070’s 1% lows of 25 FPS. This translates to fewer stutters when you are in larger build fights.

Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (DLSS OFF RT OFF)

• In PUBG with DLSS off and RT off, the RTX 3070 exhibits a significantly higher average FPS, averaging 122 FPS, compared to the RTX 2070’s average of 72 FPS.
• When the intensity rises, the RTX 2070 has 1% lows of 53 FPS, while the RTX 3070 stays competitive with a slightly lower 1% lows of 51 FPS. The similarity in the 1% lows of both cards indicates a stuttering problem in this game and does not translate to most other titles.

Total War: Warhammer 3 (DLSS OFF RT OFF)

• While playing in the epic world of Total War: Warhammer 3, without DLSS and RT, the RTX 3070 had a commendable average of 59 FPS, leaving the RTX 2070 behind at 46 FPS.
• During intense clashes, the RTX 2070 shows its age with 1% lows of 37 FPS, while the RTX 3070 maintained solid performance with slightly higher 1% lows of 43 FPS.

Cyberpunk 2077 (DLSS ON RT ON)

• In Cyberpunk 2077, with DLSS and RT enabled, the RTX 3070 delivered a significantly higher average FPS, achieving 48 FPS compared to the RTX 2070’s average of 28 FPS.
• I did some intense gameplay sequences and the RTX 2070 experiences 1% lows of 21 FPS, while the RTX 3070 showcases improved performance with 1% lows of 37 FPS.

New World (DLSS OFF RT OFF)

• When playing New World without DLSS and RT, the RTX 3070 exhibited a much higher average FPS, delivering an impressive 98 FPS, compared to the RTX 2070’s average of 59 FPS.
• During demanding gameplay moments, the RTX 2070 experienced 1% lows of 37 FPS, while the RTX 3070 showcased improved performance with 1% lows of 48 FPS, giving less stuttery gameplay in New World.

Overall Gaming Performance

The RTX 3070 surpasses the RTX 2070 by a significant margin. It delivers a 54.95% increase in average FPS and a 42.01% improvement in 1% lows, making it the superior choice for 1440p gaming.

Power Consumption

The RTX 3070 consumes 30% more power than the RTX 2070, averaging 215 Watts compared to 165.375 Watts. Users should consider their system’s power needs and cooling options when choosing between the two to ensure efficient operation.

Thermals

The RTX 2070 has a 3.28% lower average temperature than the RTX 3070, but this doesn’t fully negate the performance difference. RTX 3070 averages 66.2°C, while RTX 2070 averages 64.1°C, suggesting some overclocking potential for the RTX 2070, but it won’t close the performance gap.

Price And Value

With a 31% price difference, the RTX 3070 at $320 offers better value than the RTX 2070 at $220.Due to its age, the RTX 2070 is unlikely to be found in stores, and the RTX 3070 will become increasingly rare in new conditions. 

What Do We Recommend?

More From RTX 2070: 

• RTX 2070 Vs RX 6650 XT
• RTX 2070 Vs RTX 2080
• RTX 2070 Vs RTX 3070

More From RTX 3070:

• RTX 4060 Vs RTX 3070
• RX 6750 XT Vs RTX 3070
• ARC A770 vs RTX 3070

Abde Manaf

[Comparisons Expert]

Abdemanaf is a skilled creative writer who has been honing his craft since 2011. While initially working in different fields, he found a passion for technology and has been exploring the tech world since early 2015. Over the years, he has developed an in-depth knowledge of the latest tech trends and product offerings by various companies.

Abdemanaf’s writing reflects his analytical mindset and ability to think critically. He has a knack for breaking down complex technical information into easily digestible pieces, making his articles engaging and accessible to readers from all backgrounds. In February 2022, he joined Tech4Gamers as a blog and product comparison writer, where he has been able to hone his skills further.

As a writer, Abdemanaf is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and trends, enabling him to provide readers with the most relevant and accurate information. He is always eager to learn more and is constantly seeking new challenges to improve his skills.

Get In Touch: manaf@tech4gamers.com