GuidesComparisonsRTX 4070 Vs RTX 3080 Ti: Our Recommendation

RTX 4070 Vs RTX 3080 Ti: Our Recommendation

We compare the RTX 4070 and RTX 3080 Ti in Gaming Benchmarks to find out whether its worth upgrading to the latest generation or not.

Expert Verified By

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070

Rated: 8.2/10

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

Rated: 9.0/10


Pros And Cons

GPUProsCons
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti✅ Excellent 4K performance
✅ Better Ray Tracing
❌ HIgh Power consumption
❌ High GPU Temperature
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070✅ Power-efficient
✅ DLSS 3.0
❌ Performance for 4K not good
❌ 16-Pin Connector

Key Takeaways

  • According to our tests, the RTX 3080 Ti offers nearly a 55% gaming performance advantage at 4K resolution over the RTX 4070.
  • However, in our GPU operating efficiency tests, the RTX 4070 achieves 85% greater power efficiency and 11.2% higher thermal efficiency than the RTX 3080 Ti.
  • Considering the GPU cost as of September 2024, the RTX 3080 Ti is now selling for around $1100, while the RTX 4070 is available for $549 to $599.
  • We recommend the RTX 3080 Ti for its unmatched performance for top-tier gaming, while the RTX 4070 is a budget-friendly option with solid capabilities.

Comparison Table

GPUNvidia GeForce RTX 4070Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
CUDA Cores588810240
Tensor Cores184320
Ray Tracing Cores4680
Base Clock1920MHz1370MHz
Boost Clock2475MHz1670MHz
Memory Bandwidth504.2 GB/s912.4 GB/s
Bus Width192 bit384 bit
Max Temperature90°C93°C
TDP200W350W
Best VariantsBest RTX 4070 CardsBest RTX 3080 Ti Cards

Architectural Differences

  • Architecture: The GeForce RTX 4070 features Nvidia’s latest Ada Lovelace architecture, while the RTX 3080 Ti has Nvidia’s (3rd generation) Ampere architecture.
  • Design Chip: Considering the chips, the RTX 4070 employs the AD104 manufactured at a 5nm node at TSMC, whereas the RTX 3080 Ti has GA102, developed at an 8nm node at Samsung.
  • VRAM: The RTX 4070 and the RTX 3080 Ti have the same 12GB GDDR6X memory. However, the RTX 4070’s memory speed (21 Gbps) is 2Gbps, or 10.5% faster than the RTX 3080 Ti’s (19 Gbps).
  • Clock Speed: Regarding the GPU clock, the RTX 4070’s base clock is about 40% faster, and its boost clock is about 48.5% higher than that of the RTX 3080 Ti. 
  • Advanced Technologies: An essential feature of these cards is Nvidia DLSS. The RTX 4070 features the latest DLSS 3.0 technology, while the RTX 3080 Ti came with DLSS 2.0.

The GeForce RTX 4070 is Nvidia’s fresh GPU with 12GB of memory, whereas the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is the previous-generation graphics card with the same 12GB of memory. Today, we will analyze the specifications and gaming prowess of the RTX 4070 vs. RTX 3080 Ti, leaving no stone unturned.


Gaming Benchmarks

In our comparison of the RTX 4070 vs RTX 3080 Ti, we will assess the performance and efficiencies of the two graphics cards by playing 10 demanding games at 4K resolution. The technical specs of our gaming system are given below.

Gaming Rig

Atomic Heart

Gameplay Statistics
Atomic Heart Benchmarks at 4K – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  • Starting our benchmarks with Atomic Heart, the RTX 3080 Ti delivered 20% better performance than the RTX 4070, providing an average of 71 FPS compared to the RTX 4070’s 59 FPS.
  • At the worst 1% performance, the RTX 4070 could only manage 49 FPS, whereas the RTX 3080 Ti turned over 55 FPS.

Call Of Duty: Warzone 2.0

Gameplay Statistics
Call Of Duty: Warzone 2.0 Benchmarks at 4K – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  • In Call Of Duty: Warzone 2.0, we witnessed that the RTX 3080 Ti managed an average frame rate of 53 FPS, roughly 9.5% greater than the RTX 4070’s 58 FPS.
  • At the worst 1% performance level, the RTX 4070 only gained 34 FPS, while the RTX 3080 Ti produced 42 FPS.

Ghostwire: Tokyo

Gameplay Statistics
Ghostwire: Tokyo Benchmarks at 4K – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  • In our Ghostwire: Tokyo session, the RTX 3080 Ti outperformed the RTX 4070 by 16%, averaging 58 FPS compared to 50 FPS.
  • At the low 1% frame rate, the RTX 4070 could barely muster 27 FPS, while the RTX 3080 Ti achieved 32 FPS.

Hogwarts Legacy

Gameplay Statistics
Hogwarts Legacy Benchmarks at 4K – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  • While playing Hogwarts Legacy, the RTX 3080 Ti topped the RTX 4070 by 19%, averaging 62 FPS compared to the RTX 4070’s 52 FPS.
  • The RTX 4070 could only produce 27 FPS at the low 1% frame rate, while the RTX 3080 Ti managed 39 FPS.

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

Gameplay Statistics
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Benchmarks at 4K – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  • In our Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord gameplay, the RTX 3080 Ti outperformed the RTX 4070 by 21 FPS or about 25% greater frame rate rendition.
  • As for the low 1% frame rate, the RTX 4070 delivered 79 FPS, and the RTX 3080 Ti performed better, producing 98 FPS.

Overwatch 2

Gameplay Statistics
Overwatch 2 Benchmarks at 4K – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  • The RTX 3080 Ti surpassed the RTX 4070 in Overwatch 2 by 171 FPS (161%), with 277 FPS vs 106 FPS, respectively.
  • Regarding the low 1% frame rate, the RTX 4070 could only achieve 86 FPS, while the RTX 3080 Ti supplied 152 FPS.

Resident Evil 4

Gameplay Statistics
Resident Evil 4 Benchmarks at 4K – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  • During Resident Evil 4, the RTX 3080 Ti delivered a 16% performance boost over the RTX 4070, with 81 FPS vs 70 FPS, respectively.
  • Regarding the 1% low frame rate, the RTX 4070 delivered only 62 FPS, while the RTX 3080 Ti delivered 72 FPS.

Sons Of The Forest

Gameplay Statistics
Sons Of The Forest Benchmarks at 4K – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  • While playing Sons Of The Forest, the RTX 3080 Ti outperformed the RTX 4070 by approximately 17%, with a 9 FPS lead.
  • When it comes to the low 1% frame rate, the RTX 4070 delivered 42 FPS in Sons Of The Forest, while the RTX 3080 Ti offered only 35 FPS.

The Last Of Us Part 1

Gameplay Statistics
The Last Of Us Part 1 Benchmarks at 4K – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  • In The Last of Us Part 1, we saw a commanding lead by the RTX 3080 Ti over the RTX 4070, delivering approximately 17% superior performance running 51 FPS on average.
  • For the low 1% frame rate, the RTX 4070 delivered 34 FPS, while the RTX 3080 Ti provided 43 FPS during The Last of Us Part 1.

Overall Gaming Performance

StatsNvidia GeForce RTX 4070Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
Average FPS75.9 📈117.6 📈
Low 1% FPS58 📉78.6 📉
Winner: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

In our gaming performance evaluation, the RTX 3080 Ti markedly eclipses the RTX 4070, delivering an impressive 55% higher performance. The RTX 4070 could not surpass the RTX 3080 Ti’s performance in any game. Regarding the low 1% performance, the RTX 3080 Ti significantly surpassed the RTX 4070, achieving an impressive 35.5% lead.


Power Efficiency

GameNvidia GeForce RTX 4070 (W)Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti (W)
Atomic Heart198.7342.3
Call Of Duty: Warzone 2.0171.0344.8
Ghostwire: Tokyo193.4344.1
Hogwarts Legacy192.2341.8
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord196.6349.4
Overwatch 2194.7351.9
Resident Evil 4195.0347.9
Sons Of The Forest198.8341.1
The Last Of Us Part 1188.0343.1
Average Gaming Power Draw187.3 ⚡345.5 ⚡
Winner: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070

Based on our power usage test, the RTX 4070 has about 85% higher gaming power efficiency or lower energy utilization than the RTX 3080 Ti. During 4K gaming sessions, the RTX 4070 consumed an average of 187.3 W, whereas the RTX 3080 Ti consumed more energy, with an average of 345.5 W.


Thermal Efficiency

GameNvidia GeForce RTX 4070 (°C)Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti (°C)
Atomic Heart6569
Call Of Duty: Warzone 2.06172
Ghostwire: Tokyo6573
Hogwarts Legacy6571
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord6672
Overwatch 26573
Resident Evil 46573
Sons Of The Forest6567
The Last Of Us Part 16974
Average Gaming Temperature64.2 🌡️71.4 🌡️
Winner: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070

We experienced the RTX 4070 surpassing the RTX 3080 Ti regarding gameplay temperature, demonstrating an 11.2% higher thermal efficiency. While playing games at 4K resolution, the RTX 4070 (64.2°C) maintained approximately 7.2°C cooler temperature than the RTX 3080 Ti (71.4°C).


Price And Availability

GPULaunch MSRPCurrent Price
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070💲599💲549
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti💲1199💲1099
Price Difference50.0%50.0%

The price disparity between these two graphics cards is quite significant, with the RTX 3080 Ti nearly doubling the cost of the RTX 4070, both at launch and in the present market. Concerning availability, both of these graphics cards are readily accessible.


Which Do We Recommend?

GeForce RTX 3080 Ti: Though older, the RTX 3080 Ti remains a strong and highly capable GPU, delivering 55% better performance than the newer RTX 4070. It beats many of the newer generation graphics cards with a significant performance lead.

GeForce RTX 4070: The RTX 4070 is a cutting-edge, energy-efficient GPU from the latest generation, showcasing the avant-garde Ada Lovelace architecture. Renowned for its superior power efficiency and remarkable thermal management, it seamlessly blends performance with innovation in low cost.

We recommend the RTX 3080 Ti for top-tier gaming without budget concerns. However, the RTX 4070 is a solid pick for a more budget-friendly option with lower power use.


Common Questions Answered

What is NVIDIA DLSS, and how does it work?

NVIDIA DLSS is a real-time deep learning image enhancement and upscaling technology that uses a performance multiplier powered by AI and Tensor Cores. It boosts frame rates by rendering the game at a lower resolution and then upscaling it to a higher resolution using AI algorithms.


More From RTX 4070:

More From RTX 3080 Ti

Was our article helpful? 👨‍💻

Thank you! Please share your positive feedback. 🔋

How could we improve this post? Please Help us. 😔

Gear Up For Latest News

Get exclusive gaming & tech news before it drops. Sign up today!

Related articles

Thinking Of Upgrading To The New Mac Mini? Here’s My Take

Here is my perspective on considering the upgrade to the redesigned Mac mini over the versatile MacBook Pro.

Ryzen 7 9800X3D Vs Ryzen 9 9950X: We’re Shocked

Check out the Ryzen 7 9800X3D Vs Ryzen 9 9950X comparison to see how AMD's smartest chip competes with its most powerful!

Ryzen 7 9800X3D Vs Ultra 9 285K: We Tested 8 Games

In the Ryzen 7 9800X3D Vs Core Ultra 9 285K comparison, we explore how AMD's excellent new processor does against Intel's new innovations!

Gambit’s Revival: Why This Underrated X-Men Deserves A Spin-Off

Gambit’s revival in the MCU highlights the need for a spin-off to fully explore his rich backstory and charismatic charm.

X870E Vs X670E: What Our Comparison Says

The X870E vs X670E comparison will go over the differences (or lack there of) between the two highest-end AMD chipsets.

Similar Guides