RTX 4060 Vs RTX 3070: Difference & Benchmarks

The release of the RTX 4060 marks one of the poorest receptions to the release of a consumer card ever. Conversely, the RTX 3070 was one of the most critically acclaimed cards released in recent years. In the RTX 4060 vs RTX 3070 comparison, we will pin these cards together to gauge their strengths and weaknesses in real-world gaming scenarios.

Key Takeaways

• The RTX 3070 is about 25% faster than the RTX 4060 in terms of raw performance, according to our gaming tests.
• The RTX 4060 drew about 48% less power than the RTX 3070 in the tests we conducted at 1440p.
• The implementation of DLSS 3 in the 4060 somewhat overcomes the weak performance of the card.

RTX 4060 Vs RTX 3070

Comparison Table

Architectural Differences

1. Process Size: The RTX 3070 utilizes an 8nm process size, while the RTX 4060 utilizes a more advanced 5nm process size. The smaller process size indicates better power efficiency on the RTX 4060.
2. Clock Speeds: The base clock of the RTX 3070 is 1500MHz, with a boost clock of 1725MHz. In comparison, the RTX 4060 has a higher base clock of 1830MHz and a higher boost clock of 2460MHz. Higher clock speeds can improve performance in applications that rely heavily on GPU processing, though the cut-down core count of 4060 might even this out.
3. VRAM: These graphics cards have the same amount of VRAM; 8GB of GDDR6 memory. This amount of video memory has increasingly become obsolete in this modern day and age of gaming, where some games list 8GB as a minimum for gaming at 1080p.
4. Bus Width: The RTX 3070 has a wider 256-bit bus. In contrast, the RTX 4060 halves this by only having a bus width of 128-bit. This narrow bus can be a major bottleneck to the performance of this graphics card.
5. TDP: The RTX 3070 has a TDP of 220W, whereas the RTX 4060 drops this to about 115W. This low TDP of the RTX 4060 is very impressive for a modern, powerful-ish graphics card.
6. Other features: The RTX 4060 has an implementation of frame generation technology in place, whereas the RTX 3070 relies on AI upscaling to increase its performance on demand. 

RTX 3070 Vs RTX 4060: Gaming Benchmarks

Moving ahead in our comparison of the RTX 4060 and the RTX 3070, we will now shift our focus to their performances in games. The tests were conducted in a monitored testing environment, and the specifications of the test bench used are stated below:

• CPU – Core i9-13900K
• MOBO – ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming
• RAM – G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB 32GB DDR5 6000MHz – 38-38-38-84
• CPU Cooler – Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360
• SSD – 2 TB Corsair Force MP600

The following games were tested at the 1440p resolution, with most settings cranked up to high.

Forza Horizon 5

• In our testing of Forza Horizon 5, the RTX 3070 achieved a higher average of 91 FPS than the RTX 4060, which recorded an average of 77 FPS. This cements our preconceived notion of the RTX 3070 being more performant than the RTX 4060 in terms of raw performance.
• Both cards had a similar disparity in 1% lows, with the RTX 3070 having slightly higher 1% lows of 76 FPS, compared to the RTX 4060’s 63 FPS. 
• Regarding power consumption, the RTX 3070 consumed more power, rated 219 watts, while the RTX 4060 consumed less power, rated 118 watts. 
• As expected, the RTX 4060 has significantly lower peak temperatures than the RTX 3070. The aforementioned card peaked at 61°C, compared to 66°C on the RTX 3070.

Also Read: RTX 3060 Vs RTX 3070

Cyberpunk 2077

• In our testing of Cyberpunk 2077, the RTX 3070 achieved a higher average of 68 FPS compared to the RTX 4060, which recorded an average of 48 FPS. The performance in this test is greatly disappointing as the sub-sixty FPS framerate of the RTX 4060 gives a noticeably stuttery performance.
• Both cards exhibited a similar disparity in 1% lows, with the RTX 3070 again showcasing higher 1% lows of 57 FPS, while the RTX 4060 had 1% lows of 43 FPS. This suggests that the RTX 3070 performs more consistently with fewer frame drops during gameplay.
• Regarding power consumption, the RTX 3070 consumed more power, at about 199 watts, while the RTX 4060 consumed less power, around 112 watts. This implies that the RTX 4060 is more power-efficient than the RTX 3070.
• The RTX 3070 had a peak temperature of 67°C, while the RTX 4060 remained at a slightly lower temperature of 63°C. 

Similar Comparison: RTX 4060 Vs RTX 3070 Ti

Hogwarts Legacy

• In our testing of Hogwarts Legacy, the RTX 3070 demonstrated a higher average of 66 FPS compared to the RTX 4060, which achieved an average of 47 FPS. Once again, the sub-sixty FPS experience is disappointing on the RTX 4060.
• Both cards showed a similar difference in 1% lows, with the RTX 3070 again displaying higher 1% lows of 46 FPS, while the RTX 4060 recorded 1% lows of 38 FPS. 
• In terms of power consumption, the RTX 3070 consumed more power, with a rating of 207 watts, while the RTX 4060 consumed less power, with a rating of 112 watts. 
• Coming to the peak temperatures, the RTX 3070 maxed out at around 66°C, while the RTX 4060 went slightly higher for the first time in our testing with a temperature of 67°C.

Also Read: RX 6700 XT Vs RTX 3070

Spiderman Miles Morales

• In our Spider-Man: Miles Morales tests, the RTX 3070 demonstrated superior performance with an average of 101 FPS, outperforming the RTX 4060, which achieved an average of 72 FPS.
• Both cards showed a similar difference in 1% lows, with the RTX 3070 having slightly higher 1% lows of 69 FPS, while the RTX 4060 recorded 1% lows of 62 FPS.
• When it comes to power usage, the RTX 3070 used less power, rated at 112 watts, compared to the RTX 4060, which consumed more power at 195 watts.
• Temperatures were close in this game, with the 
• 3070 operating at an average temperature of 68°C and the RTX 4060 at 67°C.

Similar Comparison: RTX 4060 Vs RX 6800

Last Of Us

• In our The Last of Us benchmark, the RTX 3070 demonstrated superior performance with an average of 51 FPS, surpassing the RTX 4060, which achieved an average of 34 FPS. This difference is especially noteworthy because the flagship feature of the RTX 4060, DLSS 3, has a lot of artificing if the game at hand has close to 30 FPS, leading to a poor experience.
• The difference in 1% lows between the two cards is significant, with the RTX 3070 recording 1% lows of 29 FPS, while the RTX 4060 only managed 1% lows of 15 FPS. The 1% lows on the RTX 4060 make this game unplayable on the more modern card.
• The higher power draw of the RTX 3070 continued with this game, with it drawing 211 watts from the wall, while the RTX 4060 chilled at about 110 watts.
• Once again, the RTX 3070 bested the 4060 in terms of thermals. It had a temperature of 63°C at its peak, compared to 65°C on the RTX 4060.

Similar Comparisons: RTX 3060 Ti Vs RTX 3070

Red Dead Redemption 2

• During our Red Dead Redemption 2 testing, the RTX 3070 displayed superior performance, achieving an average of 71 FPS, outperforming the RTX 4060, which recorded an average of 53 FPS.
• The 1% lows also show a notable difference between the two cards, with the RTX 3070 registering 1% lows of 57 FPS, while the RTX 4060 only managed 1% lows of 46 FPS.
• Coming to power consumption, the RTX 3070 consumed a surprisingly low amount of power at 128 watts compared to the RTX 4060’s 111 watts. 
• Regarding temperatures, both cards demonstrated effective cooling, with the RTX 3070 operating at an average temperature of 67°C and the RTX 4060 maintaining a slightly higher average temperature of 66°C.

Also Read: A750 Vs RTX 4060

Dying Light 2

• In our testing of Dying Light 2, the RTX 3070 exhibited better performance than the RTX 4060. The RTX 3070 achieved an average of 69 FPS, surpassing the RTX 4060’s average of 55 FPS. 
• The 1% lows also demonstrated a notable difference between the two cards. The RTX 3070 recorded 1% lows of 59 FPS, while the RTX 4060 managed 1% lows of 48 FPS.
• Power consumption was once again higher on the RTX 3070 at 207 watts, compared to 115 watts on the RTX 4060. 
• The RTX 3070 ran significantly hotter in Dying Light 2, reaching a peak temperature of 66°C, compared to the relatively cool temperature of 62°C on the RTX 4060.

Also Check: ARC A770 vs RTX 3070

A Plague Tale: Requiem

• In our A Plague Tale: Requiem testing, the RTX 3070 exhibited better performance than the RTX 4060. The RTX 3070 achieved an average of 69 FPS, outperforming the RTX 4060’s average of 55 FPS.
• The 1% lows also showed a significant disparity between the two cards. The RTX 3070 recorded 1% lows of 62 FPS, while the RTX 4060 had lower 1% lows of 43 FPS.
• The RTX 4060 continued to impress us with a small power draw compared to the RTX 3070. In this test, the RTX 3070 dre 211 watts of power, compared to 116 watts on the RTX 4060.
• Temperatures were also surprisingly low on the RTX 4060 in this game at 56°C, compared to the RTX 3070’s temperature of 63°C.

Also Check: RTX 4060 Vs RX 6700

Watch Dogs Legion

• In our test of Watch Dogs Legion, at the chosen settings, the RTX 3070 demonstrated a higher average FPS than the RTX 4060. The RTX 3070 achieved an average of 99 FPS, while the RTX 4060 had an average of 82 FPS.
• Looking at the 1% lows, the RTX 3070 again outperformed the RTX 4060. The RTX 3070 recorded 1% lows of 83 FPS, while the RTX 4060 had 1% lows of 66 FPS.
• In terms of power consumption, the RTX 3070 consumed 209 watts of power, while the RTX 4060 consumed 115 watts of power.
• Finally, this game’s temperatures were lower on the RTX 4060, at about 56°C. In contrast to this, the RTX 3070 was relatively toasty at 63°C.

More From RTX 3070: RTX 4060 Ti Vs RTX 3070

Overall Gaming Performance

Moving on to this segment of the evaluation for RTX 4060 vs RTX 3060, we will be delving into their overall performance during our 1440p testing, following our previous discussion on how they fared in specific games.

Framerate

• The RTX 3070 averaged an impressive 76 FPS in our gaming tests, while the RTX 4060 managed a lackluster 56 FPS average.
• 1% lows were better on the 3070 as well, hovering around 56 FPS compared to the 45 FPS of the RTX 4060.
• It is important to note that the results of this test were independent of any use of any upscaling software. If that was considered, the RTX 4060 should get a doubling of FPS using the new DLSS 3 frame generation technology.

The gaming tests yielded very disappointing results for our 4060. The RTX 3070 was able to beat it by a significant margin in each one of our tests.

To get the most out of your graphics card, we highly recommend that you look at our guide on the best GPU overclocking software.

Power

• The more modern manufacturing process of the RTX 4060, as well as its optimization with AI technologies, has allowed it to sip power. At the same time, the rest of the market drains it.
• The RTX 3070 had an average peak power draw of 183 watts throughout our gaming tests, whereas the RTX 4060 had an average peak power draw of 123 watts.
• The difference between the power consumption between the current-gen RTX 4060 and the last-gen RTX 3070 is about 48%, with the 3070 drawing more power.

Similar Guide: RTX 2070 Vs RTX 3070

Temperatures

• The temperatures on both these graphics cards were normal, and they do not warrant any concern over the thermal performance of these cards. 
• The RTX 3070 had an average peak temperature of 66°C throughout our testing at 1440p, while the RTX 4060 averaged a peak temperature of 64°C in our gaming tests.
• The temperature difference between these GPUs is not large enough to be a deciding factor.

It is important to keep an eye on the idle temperature of your GPU to ensure that it has a long and healthy life inside of your computer. We suggest you take a look at our guide on safe GPU idle temperatures to get an idea of what the temperatures on your graphics card should look like.

Price And Availability

The RTX 4060 has launched with an MSRP of $299, while the RTX 3070 can be had for anywhere around $499 new.

Considering the age of the card, we wouldn’t recommend buying this graphics card new. You can find this card for around $249 on used retailers like eBay.

The RTX 4060 should be available at any computer parts retailer like Microcenter. On the other hand, the RTX 3070 would be fighting for shelf space with its successor, the RTX 4070. You should still be able to find both of these GPUs at any online retailer of your choice, like Amazon or Newegg.

Take a look at our valuation guide to understand where most computer parts sit in terms of pricing.

RTX 4060 Vs RTX 3070: Which One Should You Go For?

After discussing the performance of both RTX 3070 and RTX 4060 graphics cards, let’s take a closer look at their demographics.

• Though the 3070 had a 25% performance pump over the RTX 4060, it drew about 48% more power, making this GPU a double-edged sword.
• The RTX 3070 proved to have more raw performance than its competitor throughout our gaming tests. It also is cheaper than the 4060. The better raw performance of this card promises better longevity compared to weaker cards like the 4060.
• On the other hand, the RTX 4060 performs less than the RTX 3070, though it does have the potential to outperform this card. In addition to this, it also has impressive power efficiency.

Similar Comparison: RTX 4060 Vs GTX 1060

Pros And Cons 

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