RTX 3060 Vs RTX 3070: Is The Difference Worth It?

As you already know, a computer consists of multiple parts, such as a processor, graphics card, motherboard, RAM, and storage. Of course, there are other parts, such as a power supply, fans, case, CPU cooler, and cables. But, from this hardware, gamers usually prefer upgrading their graphics cards and processors. Therefore, this article will discuss the RTX 3060 Vs 3070 GPUs.

In brief, for those who don’t know, the RTX 3060 is a 1080P budget graphics card from NVIDIA’s current lineup. On the other hand, the RTX 3070 is a beefier version of the RTX 3060. Also, it may be able to run games at 1440P 60 FPS. However, we’ll get into that later on. 

So far, in the main graphics card market, consumers mainly see offerings by AMD and NVIDIA. While Intel graphics cards are starting to pop up, their technology is still fairly new to their competitors. Although, even for AMD, their graphics cards are not as popular as NVIDIA’s. So, most customers prefer buying a graphics card from NVIDIA and neglect AMD’s offerings. That’s another reason we’re comparing the RTX 3060 Vs 3070 graphics cards.

Also Read: RTX 2060 Vs RX Vega 56

To that end, AMD graphics cards are amazing for their performance per dollar ratio and thermals. While NVIDIA graphics cards give us better performance and “bang for the buck,” AMD GPUs are more efficient.

The added cost for the NVIDIA cards gives you more things to play around with on your PC. For example, you get DLSS and RTX capabilities if you buy one of the “RTX” series graphics cards.

If you’re interested in detailed comparisons between AMD and NVIDIA GPUs, check out our 6600 XT Vs RTX 3060 article!

Specs Difference 

After all of our discussions about AMD and NVIDIA GPUs, let’s look at the specifications of the 3060 Vs 3070. While the RTX 3070 has better performance, it’s important to know the on-paper specs of the hardware you’re comparing.

Firstly, looking at the chart, there’s no doubt that the RTX 3070 is significantly faster than the RTX 3060. However, there are a few discrepancies here and there. That is to say, for example, the amount of memory and the memory speeds.

Furthermore, the RTX 3060 is a more recent graphics card than the RTX 3070. Similarly, due to its weaker requirements, the TDP for the RTX 3060 is much lower than the RTX 3070.

Lastly, the price of the RTX 3060 is significantly more affordable than the RTX 3070. With a ~29% lower price, the RTX 3060 might have a greater value than the RTX 3070. Although, we need to test both graphics cards before we can ascertain that theory. Therefore, let’s get straight to the benchmarks in multiple games and see which GPU has better rasterization performance!

Benchmarks At 1080P

Seeing that we now know the on-paper specifications of both the RTX 3060 Vs 3070 GPUs, let’s test them out. In addition to pricing, it’s essential to realize whether a graphics card is efficient or not. In other words, we should know if a GPU has performance equivalent to its pricing or not. Therefore, we conduct gaming benchmarks to know how well they perform in real-life scenarios. Benchmarks For Gamers has conducted the following tests.

Benchmarks Rig

• Processor: Ryzen 5 5600X
• Motherboard: MSI MEG X570 Unify
• RAM: G.Skill Trident Z Neo 2 x 16GB, 3600 Mhz, CL16-16-16-36
• CPU Cooler: Enermax Liqmax III 360mm AIO
• Graphics Card: Zotac RTX 3060 Twin Edge OC & Zotac RTX 3070 Twin Edge OC

Firstly, while the Ryzen 5 5600X isn’t the fastest processor in the market, it’s fast enough to run both GPUs. Additionally, the 5600X and 3060 or 3070 combinations can be a useful benchmark for many consumers. Because not everyone has the budget to buy an extremely high-end processor, they tend to stay in the mid-range.

Now, talking about the motherboard, while the MSI X570 is overkill for a Ryzen 5 5600X, it provides better future-proofing. So, you will be able to upgrade your processor in the future without worrying about the motherboard.

Also, talking about the RAM, we have a great 32 GB RAM kit. Not only is the frequency appropriate for Ryzen processors, but the CL timings are also significantly tight. To explain, CL timings or Column Address Strobe (CAS) latency showcases the number of cycles it takes for a RAM to get a specific piece of data.

That is to say, the lower the CL timings, the faster your RAM is. Moreover, extreme overclockers require low CL timings to achieve world records.

Lastly, talking about the CPU cooler, we have a 360mm AIO to cool the PC. Contrary to a CPU cooler, AIOs have a water cooler for the processor and a radiator for the rest. For this reason, consumers prefer AIOs over air coolers. But, they can get quite expensive depending on the type you choose.

Far Cry 6

By and large, starting with one of Ubisoft’s most famous games, we have Far Cry 6. Seeing that the game has a release date of 2021, it will be a bit difficult to run. Such that many processors and graphics cards will fail at 1080P resolution. Of course, you can always dial down the graphics settings, but where’s the fun without the eye candy? For that reason, you need a powerful PC to run modern games these days.

Looking at the frame times, we see that the RTX 3070 has significantly lower frame times than its competitor. In comparison, the RTX 3060’s frames are ~41% slower than the RTX 3070’s. To explain, lower frame times equate to a better gameplay experience and faster reflexes. So, for first-person shooter games, you need fast frames to ensure victory. If not for single-player games, you need faster frames for competitive games.

Now, moving towards the temperatures, we see that there isn’t much difference in that department. Although, it’s important to note that the RTX 3070 provides greater performance at the same temperatures as the RTX 3060. Therefore, it’s clear that the RTX 3070 has a better cooling mechanism than the RTX 3060. At least in Far Cry 6, that seems to be the case.

Lastly, talking about the average FPS, the RTX 3070 has a greater FPS. But, if we compare both, the RTX 3070 is ~25.27% faster than the RTX 3060. Subsequently, the RTX 3060 is ~29% cheaper than the RTX 3070. In other words, the RTX 3060 has a better performance per dollar ratio. On the other hand, if slight efficiency isn’t an issue, the RTX 3070 is the better card to buy.

Kena: Bridge Of Spirits

We have Kena: Bridge of Spirits by Ember Lab for the next game. If you haven’t heard this game’s name before, don’t worry, it is an underrated masterpiece. Furthermore, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is the first game designed by Ember Lab studios. Given that, it is an aesthetically beautiful game with an amazing storyline. Although, you do require a high-end PC to run the game at higher resolutions.

Firstly, talking about the frame times, we see that the RTX 3070 keeps its faster frames in this game. The RTX 3070’s frames are ~53% faster than the RTX 3060’s frames. While the game itself isn’t a shooter-type competitive game, you will feel some stutter with the RTX 3060. But it shouldn’t affect your gameplay a lot.

Secondly, glancing through the temperatures, we see that the RTX 3070 is 1C cooler than the RTX 3060. Of course, 1C isn’t a lot, but we must realize that the RTX 3070 gives more frames than the RTX 3060. With that in mind, the RTX 3070 has a better TDP than its competitor. On the other hand, looking at the power draw, the 3060 is drawing less power but has a higher temperature.

Lastly, looking at the average frames, the RTX 3070 has a greater frame count. The RTX 3070 is ~56% faster than the RTX 3060. In light of their prices, the RTX 3070 has a greater value than the 3060 in Kena: Bridge of Spirits. So, regardless of the price advantage, the RTX 3060 loses miserably against the RTX 3070 in this title.

F1 2021

Now, for the next game, we have the famous racing game, F1 2021, by Codemasters. Along with having decent PC requirements, F1 2021 also features RTX capabilities. However, the performance hit isn’t as high as with other games. At least, that’s the case for the RTX 3070. To clarify, the RTX hit is likely due to a lower number of RT Cores in the RTX 3060.

Then again, looking at the frame times, the RTX 3070 has a lower frame time than the RTX 3060. Furthermore, the RTX 3060 has 37% slower frames than its competitor. Although not a competitive game, you might find a few stutters here and there when comparing gameplay. 

Subsequently, talking about temperatures, the RTX 3070 is running 2C hotter than the RTX 3060. But, if we look at the performance, the RTX 3070 is significantly faster than the other card. Furthermore, the RTX 3060 is drawing significantly less power if we look at the power draw. However, the RTX 3060 is only 2C cooler than its competitor. So, it shows that the RTX 3070’s TDP is better than the RTX 3060’s.

Similar Budget Comparisons: GTX 1650 Vs RTX 3050

Lastly, glancing through the average FPS, the RTX 3070 is significantly faster than the RTX 3060. What’s more, the RTX 3070 is ~29% faster than its challenger. Consequently, the price difference between both graphics cards is ~29% too. Therefore, going with the RTX 3070 is a better option in this scenario. Because you not only get better performance but also utilize RTX more too.

New World

Similarly, like the other games, we have New World by Amazon Game Studios for the next one. Unlike other famous games, New World’s launch didn’t go well. Due to major bugs, the game is notorious for killing many graphics cards. However, that has been taken care of, and now it runs perfectly fine. Also, as for the system requirements, you need a powerful PC to run the Triple-A game.

Now, talking about the frame times, the RTX 3070 has much faster frames than its contestant. The RTX 3070 has ~30% faster frames than the RTX 3060. Because New World isn’t a competitive game, the frame times aren’t nearly as important as the raw FPS. For that reason, the RTX 3060 can still be relevant if it’s efficient enough.

Be that as it may, looking at the temperatures of both graphics cards, we see that the temperatures are identical. On the contrary, the RTX 3060 is drawing significantly less power if we look at the power draw. Furthermore, the RTX 3070 showcases a better performance record than the RTX 3060, making its TDP more efficient.

To conclude, glancing at the average FPS, we again see that the RTX 3070 has a greater average. On the contrary, the RTX 3070 is ~37.27% faster than the RTX 3060. Thus, because the RTX 3060 is ~29% cheaper than the 3070, the latter has a better performance per dollar ratio.

Cyberpunk 2077

In another case, our next game is the popular triple-A title, Cyberpunk 2077, by CD Projekt Red. Due to its ridiculously high graphics requirements, Cyberpunk 2077 is an amazing game to benchmark high-end GPUs. Additionally, access to raytracing also allows for intensive tests in that area.

Firstly, talking about the frame times, while both GPUs have pretty slow frames, the RTX 3060’s frames are ~50.8% slower. But because Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t a competitive game, you won’t feel the difference as much. However, if the same differential exists in a competitive game, the RTX 3070’s value would increase dramatically.

Secondly, looking at the temperatures, the RTX 3060 is 2C cooler than the RTX 3070. Although, if we compare the power draw, the RTX 3060 utilizes significantly less power. To explain, as the RTX 3070 has a higher power draw, its temperatures should be significantly higher too. But as the temperature difference is only 2C, we see that the RTX 3070 has more efficient cooling.

Lastly, glancing at the average FPS, there is a massive gap in performance between both graphics cards. To that end, the RTX 3070 is ~54% faster than the RTX 3060 in Cyberpunk 2077. Now, because the price gap between both GPUs is ~29%, the RTX 3070 has a greater performance per dollar ratio. Thus, you should buy the RTX 3070 than the RTX 3060 if you want the most bang for the buck.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

We are testing Microsoft Flight Simulator by Microsoft Corporation for our next game. If you don’t know, the game is famous amongst trainee pilots because of its realistic simulations. However, to run Microsoft Flight Simulator, you need a high-end PC with a heavy processor and graphics card.

Now, talking about the frame times, the RTX 3070 keeps its victory cap on by having faster frames. Of course, similar to the other games, the RTX 3060 has ~34.54% slower frames than its competitor. But, as the game has no form of competitiveness, simply having higher frames is crucial for optimum gameplay.

Furthermore, looking at the temperatures, the RTX 3070 is 3C cooler than the RTX 3060. So, not only is the RTX 3070 giving more frames, it even has a better temperature than its contestant. Also, if we look at the power draw, the RTX 3060 is drawing significantly lower power than the RTX 3070. To clarify, even with a higher power draw and more usage, the RTX 3070 runs cooler than the RTX 3060.

Finally, glancing through the average frames of both graphics cards, we see that the RTX 3070 is slightly faster. Although the RTX 3070 was significantly faster in the other titles, in Microsoft Flight Simulator, it’s only ~15.625% faster. Because of the greater price gap, the RTX 3060 shows greater value than its competitor in Flight Simulator.

Watch Dogs Legion

Now, for the next game, we have the popular title, Watch Dogs Legion, by Ubisoft. As games produced by Ubisoft are loved by many, they are worth good benchmarks too. Also, their favorability increases because their games require a high-end PC to run on ultra settings. Similarly, Watch Dogs Legion is not only an amazing game, but its graphics requirements are also amazing too.

Firstly, glancing through the frame times, we notice that the RTX 3070 has significantly faster frames than the RTX 3060. To elaborate, the RTX 3060 has ~51% slower frames than its opponent. If Watch Dogs Legion were a competitive game, the favor would have gone towards the RTX 3070 due to its faster frames. Although it’s not a competitive game, you won’t notice much difference with both GPUs.

Secondly, looking at the temperatures, we realize that the RTX 3060 and 3070 have the same temperatures. However, as the RTX 3070 performs better, its TDP is greater. Furthermore, looking at the power draw, the RTX 3060 utilizes significantly lower power. But the temperatures are still the same. To explain, this means that the RTX 3070 has more efficient cooling.

Lastly, talking about the average frames per second, the RTX 3070 wins the battle again. Consequently, the RTX 3070 is ~33.33% faster than the RTX 3060. So, because of the price difference standing at ~29%, the RTX 3070 is the better choice to buy. You not only get more performance, but you can utilize better RTX capabilities too. 

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

For our next game, we have Assassin’s Creed Valhalla by Ubisoft. Not to mention, with amazing graphics and an even better storyline, the game is extremely popular amongst consumers. Also, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla requires a high-end GPU paired with a high-end CPU to run at ultra-high settings. So, the game is not only popular among gamers but also among hardware enthusiasts.

Firstly, looking at the frame times, we see that the RTX 3070 shows no signs of slowing down. With the RTX 3060 being ~49.5% slower than the RTX 3070, there’s no competition. However, as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla isn’t a competitive game, the frame time differences don’t matter for its gameplay. But had the game been Call of Duty: Warzone, the RTX 3060 would have lost even with a greater value.

Secondly, glancing at the temperatures, we see that the RTX 3060 is 2C cooler than the RTX 3070. Although the RTX 3070 performs significantly better, there isn’t much of a temperature uplift. Furthermore, the RTX 3070 uses much more power than its opponent. To that end, the RTX 3070, having similar temperatures to the RTX 3060, showcases its better TDP.

To conclude, talking about the average FPS, the RTX 3070 wins against the RTX 3060 again. Being ~33.33% faster, the RTX 3070 demolishes the RTX 3060 in raw rasterization. Moreover, because the RTX 3060 is ~29% cheaper, the RTX 3070 has a greater value in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. 

Red Dead Redemption 2

We have Red Dead Redemption 2 by Rockstar Studios for our last game. Not to mention, after the Grand Theft Auto franchise, the Red Dead Redemption franchise is Rockstar’s greatest creation. Although to run Red Dead Redemption 2, you need to have a strong processor and a strong graphics card.

Firstly, talking about the frame times, the RTX 3070 has faster frames than the RTX 3060. To clarify, the RTX 3060 has ~33.33% slower frames. While Red Dead Redemption is a semi-shooter-type game, you won’t notice a difference because it doesn’t have a competitive mode. But if one existed, the favor would go towards the RTX 3070, even with a lower value.

Secondly, glancing at the temperatures, we see that the RTX 3060 is 4C cooler than the RTX 3070. So far, the biggest temperature difference among all of the games, it’s still not enough. Because of the amount of power the RTX 3070 utilizes, having a 4C gap is insufficient. Furthermore, the RTX 3070 performs better than the RTX 3060, meaning it has a better TDP.

Lastly, looking at the average FPS of both graphics cards, we see that the RTX 3070 performs much better. Moreover, the RTX 3070 is ~33.8% faster than the RTX 3060. As the price difference between both GPUs stands at ~29%, the RTX 3070 has a better value. So, regardless of price, the RTX 3070 might be the one if you’re looking for a better-priced graphics card.

RTX 3060 Vs 3070 Benchmark Verdict

We have discussed a few games at 1080P resolution, so let’s check which graphics card is better. While the RTX 3070 is faster in raw rasterization, is its price worth the purchase? Therefore, we need to calculate the overall FPS achieved by both graphics cards in all games.

So, we see that the RTX 3070 has a total average of 946 frames, whereas the RTX 3060 has 690. In other words, the RTX 3070 is ~37.1% faster in raw rasterization than the RTX 3060. To that end, as the price gap between both graphics cards is ~29%, the RTX 3070 has a grander value. What’s more, the RTX 3070 is more than capable of 1440P and even entry-level 4K gaming. However, the RTX 3060 can barely manage 1440P.

But that’s only raw rasterization performance. A graphics card has other purposes too. While gaming is the primary purpose, many consumers use graphics cards for crypto mining. After all, the crypto-mining urge has been going strong since the pandemic started. 

In conclusion, if your primary use is gaming and you have the budget, we recommend going with the RTX 3070. Although, that does not mean that the RTX 3060 is a bad graphics card. The RTX 3060 is a wonderful card with a spectacular performance per dollar ratio in its price range. Thus, if it fits your budget, go with the RTX 3070; otherwise, the RTX 3060 is great for 1080P gaming.

Mining Benchmarks

Now that we have discussed the gaming benchmarks of the RTX 3060 Vs 3070 GPUs, let’s look at their mining value. Additionally, if you don’t know what crypto mining is, it’s a practice where people can regulate cryptocurrency transactions by solving difficult algorithms. Even if a miner can get close to the approximate transaction value, they are rewarded with a “Mine Hash.”

To clarify, graphics cards can perform difficult algorithms. Raytracing is a lot of algorithms through which a GPU creates fake shadows. While the concept is similar, crypto mining works a bit differently. Furthermore, a graphics card can perform algorithms through “Mega Hashes” (MH/s). Moreover, the greater the MH/s value of a GPU, the better it is for cryptocurrency mining.

The following image is by NiceHash, a platform that deals with cryptocurrency mining. Even though the RTX 3060 is a great card for crypto mining, it cannot fare against the RTX 3070. To explain, the RTX 3070 has a greater cryptocurrency mining value due to its greater hashrate. So, the RTX 3070 wins the RTX 3070 Vs 3060 hashrate battle.

Although that is the case, it’s important to note that getting into cryptocurrency mining is not cheap. You need to buy many graphics cards to create a mining farm through which you can earn money over time.

Laptops

As much as desktop computers are amazing, they’re not easy to travel partners. On the other hand, you can easily travel with a laptop. For that reason, many consumers prefer buying laptops with good graphics cards so that they can play games while working. As we’re looking into the RTX 3060 Vs 3070 graphics cards, let’s look at their laptops too. What kind of laptop can a consumer get with an RTX 3060 or an RTX 3070 graphics card?

Laptops For The RTX 3060

While there aren’t any laptops available with the RTX 3060 Ti, the same isn’t true for the RTX 3060. If you have a low budget, you can buy a laptop with the RTX 3060. But you can still buy laptops with the same GPU if you have a mediocre budget.

For our article, we’re going with the ASUS TUF Dash 15. Along with a matte-black finish and a thin design, the Dash 15 is a sleek laptop you can fit anywhere.

Also, you get an Intel 12650H processor to complement the RTX 3060. So, there won’t be any form of bottleneck issues. Furthermore, the Dash 15 comes with 16 GB DDR5 RAM and a high-end processor.

Moreover, the Dash 15 has a 144 Hz Full HD display panel so that you won’t lose out on performance. However, the Dash 15 only has a 512 GB SSD, so you’ll be looking to upgrade that. 

To conclude, the ASUS TUF Dash 15 has a price tag of $1,000, and that’s a steal. Although there are cheaper laptops, they don’t offer a 12th gen Intel processor with DDR5 RAM. What’s more, the Dash 15 also has an RTX 3060. Therefore, if you’re looking for the best bang-for-the-buck laptop, the Dash 15 should fulfill your needs.

Laptops For The RTX 3070

Looking at laptops for the RTX 3070 now, we have several options. For this article, we’re going with the XPG Xenia 15 KC. In addition to a good price, the laptop has amazing features too.

Firstly, looking at the design, the 15 KC comes with a black design and an RGB mechanical keyboard. Furthermore, the notebook comes with an Intel i7 11800H processor. So, you can forget about bottlenecks in the 15 KC.

On the other hand, the 15 KC comes with 32 GB of DDR4 RAM at 3,200 MHz. While it’s an older generation RAM, the quantity makes up for the loss. Moreover, the laptop has a 1TB SSD, which will be useful.

Lastly, talking about the pricing, the 15 KC comes with a price tag of $1,500. On the other hand, the ASUS TUF Dash 15 has a price tag of $1,000. Both laptops have pros and cons, so depending on your budget, you should buy the one you like more. Although, for the sake of opinion, the ASUS TUF Dash 15 has much better value.

Who Is This Article For?

Firstly, the RTX 3060 Vs 3070 article is for consumers who want to upgrade their graphics card. Therefore, for starters, we discussed the on-paper specifications of both graphics cards.

Furthermore, we looked into the 1080P gaming benchmarks for both GPUs and glanced into their different results. Above all, we decided which GPU a consumer should use if they have a budget for both.

After that, we looked into the mining capabilities of the RTX 3070 Vs 3060 graphics cards. Lastly, we discussed the various laptops with the RTX 3060, and 3070 consumers can buy.

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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.

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