RTX 3060 Vs GTX 1070 [Full Comparison 2023]

If we jump back in time, the GTX 1070 was Nvidia’s popular mid-to-high range option a few years back. Today, we’re comparing the RTX 3060 vs GTX 1070 to see how much difference the two-generation gap has made between these mid-range cards. 

Similar Read: RTX 3060 vs GTX 1080

Key Takeaways

• With regard to performance, the RTX 3060 performed 41.1% faster than the GTX 1070 in my 1080P gaming benchmarks. 
• The GTX 1070 proved 2.2% more power efficient and 32.7% more thermally efficient than the RTX 3060 in 1080P gaming. 
• Costs-wise, the GTX 1070 has reached the end of production and can be found used for around 180% cheaper than a new RTX 3060. 
• The RTX 3060 supports ray tracing and Nvidia DLSS, while the GTX 1070 does not. 

RTX 3060 Vs GTX 1070: Comparison Table 

 RTX 3060 vs GTX 1070

So right off the bat, we can see many differences between these cards launched about 4 1/2 years apart. With a generational difference between the two architectures, the RTX 3060’s Ampere architecture has made improvements of leaps and bounds over the Pascal architecture of the GTX 1070. Let’s dive in and discuss some of the major ones. 

Architectural Differences

First things first, the RTX 3060 is manufactured using Samsung’s 8nm node. In comparison, the GTX 1070 uses TSMC’s 16nm node. This means the RTX 3060 has essentially double the transistor density compared to its Pascal competitor. With regard to the bus, the RTX 3060 runs on the PCIe 4.0 interface, while the GTX 1070 uses PCIe 3.0. 

Also, the GTX 1070 uses older GDDR5 memory, while the GeForce RTX uses GDDR6. GDDR6 provides more bandwidth, a bigger interface, and higher memory density. Furthermore, the RTX 3060 possesses Ray Tracing Cores and Tensor Cores, which the GTX 1070 does not have. This also means that the GTX 1070 does not support DLSS and ray tracing, while the RTX 3060 does.

GTX 1070 Vs RTX 3060: Gaming Performance

Let’s put these two cards to the test in gaming. We’ll compare their performance across 9 games at 1080P resolution. 

Note: The recorded FPS figures may vary slightly from actual figures. This is caused by occasional shortcomings of monitoring software.

Here’s a look at the test bench: 

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
• Motherboard: Gigabyte Aorus Master B550
• Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro DDR4 24GB (3×8) @ 3600MHz
• Power Supply: ASUS Rog Thor 1200 Certified 1200 watts
• Operating System: Windows 10 – Version 22H2

Hogwarts Legacy

• Kicking off the benchmarks with the 2023 action RPG Hogwarts Legacy, the RTX 3060 averages 66 FPS over 47 FPS of the GeForce GTX 1070.
• The gap between the two GPUs is reduced when it comes to the %1 lows, as the RTX 3060 keeps a 16.6% lead. 
• As for the temperatures, the RTX 3060 runs significantly warmer than the GTX 1070 – 35.2% warmer in exact.
• The two GPUs differ by only 1 watt in terms of power consumption in this test. 

Elden Ring

• Next up is Elder Ring. Here, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 maintains its lead, averaging 73 FPS. In reply, the GTX 1070 scores 62 FPS.
• The GTX 1070 narrowly outscores the RTX 3060 in terms of the %1 low FPS. 
• Looking at the temperatures, the RTX 3060 continues to run warmer. It averages 65°C in this test in contrast to the GeForce 1070, which averages only 48°C.
• Power consumption is a win for the RTX 3060 in this case, as it draws 11% less power.

Also Check: RTX 3060 vs RX 6700 XT

Dead Space (2023)

• In the 2023 remake of Dead Space, there’s a massive contrast in average FPS between the graphics cards. The RTX 3060 racks up 70 FPS – 84.2% higher than the 1070.
• Both GPUs take further dips in %1 lows as the RTX 3060 comes out with 38 FPS while the GTX 1070 manages 26 FPS.
• The RTX 3060 averages 65°C across this benchmark, whereas the GTX 1070 continues to impress, staying under the 50°C mark.
• Talking power draw, the Nvidia RTX 3060 consumes 142.5 watts over 126.8 watts of its Pascal competitor.

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

• Moving on to Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the GeForce RTX 3060 closes in on the 100 FPS mark with 96 FPS. The GTX 1070 only manages 63 FPS.
• The RTX 3060 scores 66 FPS compared to 50 FPS of the GTX 1070 as far as the %1 lows are concerned. 
• Coincidentally, both GPUs have the same figures as their %1 low scores, when it comes to the temperatures. 
• Nvidia’s RTX 3060 averages 136 watts of power consumption in contrast with 131 watts of the GTX 1070.

A Plague Tale: Requiem

• Next, we’re testing the sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence. In this title, the RTX 3060 averages 57 FPS in comparison to 43 FPS of the Pascal GTX 1070.
• As for the %1 lows, the RTX 3060 outscores the GTX 1070 by 22.2%.
• The temperature figures favor the GTX 1070 again, as it averages only 55°C in this test.
• The GeForce GTX 1070 exceeds its TDP limit while the RTX 3060 stays just under it, at 168.2 watts. 

God of War

• In God Of War, the RTX 3060 continues its lead as it records 89 FPS on average. On the other hand, the GTX 1070 scores 64 FPS. 
• A similar difference is seen between the two cards concerning %1 FPS as the GTX 1070 trails by 30.3%. 
• The RTX 3060 reaches the 70°C mark, while the GeForce GTX 1070 keeps it cool at 52°C. 
• In terms of power draw, the RTX 3060 draws 169.3 watts on average, and the GTX 1070 is not far behind. 

Cyberpunk 2077

• Running at Cyberpunk 2077 at the high preset proves to be a struggle for the GTX 1070 as it averaged 42 FPS – trailing the RTX 3060 by 66.6%. 
• The RTX 3060 takes a dip to 57 FPS in terms of the %1 low FPS but still remains ahead by 78.1%. 
• Looking at the thermal performance, the RTX 3060 hovered around the 68°C during this benchmark in contrast to 53°C of the GTX 1070.
• Regarding temperatures, the RTX 3060 was recorded drawing 167.4 watts on average. The GTX 1070, on the other hand, consumed 152.9 watts.

Red Dead Redemption 2

• The RTX 3060 led the way with 69 FPS on average in Red Dead Redemption 2, as the GTX 1070 followed with 42 FPS.
• Moving on, the GTX 1070 falls to 36 FPS in terms of %1 lows and keeps trailing the RTX 3060.
• The GeForce RTX 3060 hits the 70°C mark again, while the GTX 1070 continues to impress with its thermal performance.
• As for power consumption, the RTX 3060 used 168.1 watts of power compared to 159 watts of the GTX 1070.

Similar Comparison: RX 5700 XT vs RTX 3060

Far Cry 6

• In our last test, we can see the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 continuing its reign – averaging 92 FPS over 61 FPS of the GTX 1070. 
• Meanwhile, the %1 low figures show the RTX 3060 managing 65 FPS with an 85.7% lead.
• The GTX 1070 shows great temperatures again, only averaging 47°C – 36.1% cooler than the RTX 3060.
• Finally, the two GPUs are, again, not far apart when it comes to power consumption, but the figures favor the GTX 1070.

Overall Gaming Performance

We can now summarise the 1080P gaming benchmarks for RTX 3060 vs GTX 1070.

• The RTX 3060 scored 72.4 FPS on average across the 9 games, compared to 51.3 FPS of the GeForce GTX 1070. 
• Conclusively, the RTX 3060 is 41.1% faster than the GTX 1070 as far as 1080P gaming is concerned. 
• As for the %1 low FPS, the RTX 3060 averaged 52.7 FPS over 38.2 FPS of the GTX 1070 – a 37.9% difference.

Power Consumption

Next, a look at the power consumption across the 9 tested games. Keep in mind that the RTX 3060 has a TDP rating of 170 watts, while the GTX 1070 is rated to dissipate 150 watts of heat at most. 

• The RTX 3060 consumed 153.8 watts of power, just a touch higher than 150.4 watts of the GTX 1070. 
• So, the GTX 1070 is only 2.26% more power-efficient than the RTX 3060 in 1080P gaming.
• The result might seem ideal for the GTX 1070 in hindsight, but it’s actually a win for the RTX 3060 as it consumed much less power in 1080P gaming than its max rating. On the other hand, the GTX 1070 is just in line with its TDP rating.

Read: How To Check For Insufficient Power Supply

Thermal Performance

To conclude the performance benchmarks, let’s look at the thermal performance of the two cards across the 9 games. Note that both GPUs tested have a dual-fan design.

• The RTX 3060 averaged 67.3°C across the 9 tests, while the GTX 1070 ran at around 50.7°C. 
• Thus, the thermal performance results favor the GTX 1070, which proved to be 32.7% more thermally efficient than the RTX 3060. 
• Despite drawing nearly the same amount of power and showing more FPS, it’s clear that the RTX 3060 was thermally tested in 1080P gaming.

If you’re facing high GPU temperatures, you can read our guide on how to lower GPU temperatures.

Prices And Power Costs

Let’s discuss prices first. The GTX 1070 cost $379 at launch, but production was discontinued in 2019. As of April 2023, different variants of the card can be found in the used market between the $100-$150 mark.

As for the RTX 3060, it has yet to see a price cut like its more powerful brothers did. Many options are available in the mid-to-high $300 mark, which is somewhat above MSRP. At the time of writing this article, the single-fan MSI Aero ITX variant is available for $325 at Newegg, which is less than MSRP. 

While the RTX 3060 has a higher TDP rating, it hardly consumed more power in 1080P gaming than the GTX 1070. This is not to say that it won’t draw 170 watts (or more) that it’s rated for in other applications. Still, the difference won’t be significant at the end of the day because the TDP ratings of the two cards aren’t far apart. 

Value

As far as value is concerned, there’s no doubt that the GTX 1070, although used, can be found for much cheaper than the RTX 3060, approximately 180% cheaper (assuming the 1070 costs $125 on average while the 3060 costs $350).

At the same time, the RTX 3060 performed 41.1% better in 1080P gaming. Although, in principle, this makes the GTX 1070 the better value card, it should be remembered that it averaged only 51.3 across the 9 tests. This takes me to the next point.

Similar Read: RTX 3060 vs GTX 1660 Ti

Is The GTX 1070 Too Old?

So as I just mentioned, the GTX 1070 has been getting on in years and is starting to struggle in modern AAA titles. Granted, 51.3 FPS is not terrible, and some intensive graphics settings can be turned down, but it’s still clear that the GTX 1070 is showing its age – and the struggle will get worse over the years as games become more demanding. 

Still, the GTX 1070 is a solid card if you’re strictly gaming at 1080P 60 Hz. It will run most existent games smoothly enough if you’re willing to use a less intensive graphics preset. 

But, another thing is that the GTX 1070 also lacks two major features ray tracing and Nvidia DLSS. While ray tracing is something you might not need, DLSS can boost gaming performance with its efficient upscaling. This gives the RTX 3060 an additional edge over the GTX 1070 as far as gaming is concerned. 

Final Thoughts

Having discussed all the differences, we can now conclude our RTX 3060 vs GTX 1070 comparison. Both cards have their pros and cons – the RTX 3060 showed impressive 1080P gaming performance, while the GTX 1070 was a bit lackluster. This is not to say that GTX 1070 is not still a pretty good card.

A used GTX 1070 is a very good option if you have a limited budget. Meanwhile, if you currently have a GTX 1070 and are looking to upgrade, then the RTX 3060 is a great upgrade as it performed much better than the GTX 1070 in the latest triple AAA titles at 1080P.

If you’re still struggling to make a decision, read our guide on how to choose the right graphics card to make a more informed decision.

Similar Comparison: RTX 3060 vs RTX 3070

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