RTX 4070 Vs RTX 3080 Ti: Should You Upgrade?

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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.

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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.

Key Takeaways

• The RTX 3080 Ti offers nearly a 55% gaming performance advantage at 4K resolution over the RTX 4070.
• However, the RTX 4070 achieves an 85% greater power efficiency and 11.2% higher thermal efficiency than the RTX 3080 Ti.
• Considering the GPU cost, the RTX 3080 Ti is now selling for $1300 to $1400, and the RTX 4070 is available for $599 to $649.

Similar Comparison: RTX 3090 Ti Vs RTX 3080 Ti

RTX 4070 Vs RTX 3080 Ti

Comparison Table

Also Read: RTX 4070 Vs RX 7900 XTX

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 memory speed of the RTX 4070 (21 Gbps) is 2Gbps or 10.5% faster than the RTX 3080 Ti (19 Gbps).
• Clock Speed: Regarding the GPU clock, the base clock of the RTX 4070 is about 40% faster, and the boost clock of the RTX 4070 is about 48.5% higher than the RTX 3080 Ti. 

Also Read: Can Overclocking Damage The GPU?

• TDP and thermal specs: The GPU and board powers of the RTX 3080 Ti are higher than the RTX 4070. Moreover, the RTX 3080 Ti can operate at a 3°C higher temperature than the RTX 4070.
• 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.

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 for 10 demanding games played at 4K resolution. The technical specs of the gaming system are given below.

Gaming Rig

• OS: Windows 10 Pro
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 5TH Gen 12-C, 24-T
• Motherboard: MSI X570 A Pro Gaming
• RAM: Crucial RAM 32 GB (4×8) Dual Channel 3600 Mhz CL 16
• Hard Disk: Samsung SSD 870 EVO Form Factor 2.5 Inch Intelligent TurboWrite
• Monitor: Samsung U28E590D 28-Inch 4K LED Monitor (3840 x 2160, UHD, 1 ms)
• Case Fans: RiaTech 3 Pack RGB LED Series 120mm Case Fan for Computer Cases
• Power Supply: Gigabyte P850GM 850W 80 Plus Gold Certified 120mm Smart HYB
• CPU Cooler: AIO MarsGaming ML-ONE360 Black
• PC Case: HYTE Y60 Dual Chamber Panoramic Tempered Glass Mid-Tower ATX

Atomic Heart

• Starting with Atomic Heart, I got 20% better performance with the RTX 3080 Ti than the RTX 4070.
• The RTX 3080 Ti supplied an average of 71 FPS at 4K resolution, while the RTX 4070 could only provide 59 FPS on average.
• The RTX 4070 operated much power efficiently, consuming only 198.7 W on average. In contrast, the RTX 3080 Ti depleted 342.3 W under the same conditions.
• As per my testing, the RTX 3080 Ti operated at 69°C in Atomic Heart, while the RTX 4070 operated at 65°C.
• At the worst 1% performance, the RTX 4070 could only manage 49 FPS, whereas the RTX 3080 Ti turned over 55 FPS.

Also Check: RTX 4070 Vs RTX 3080

Call Of Duty: Warzone 2.0

• In Call Of Duty: Warzone 2.0, the performance of the RTX 3080 Ti was roughly 9.5% greater than the RTX 4070.
• The RTX 4070 could only deliver an average frame rate of 53 FPS compared to the RTX 3080 Ti’s frame rate of 58 FPS.
• The RTX 4070 served with greater energy efficiency, using just 171.0 W on average, as opposed to the RTX 3080 Ti, which used 344.8 W.
• Concerning the GPU temperature, the RTX 3080 Ti ran at 72°C while the RTX 4070 ran at 61°C.
• At the worst 1% performance level, the RTX 4070 only gained 34 FPS, while the RTX 3080 Ti produced 42 FPS.

Ghostwire: Tokyo

• The performance of the RTX 3080 Ti was around 16% higher than the RTX 4070 in my gameplay of Ghostwire: Tokyo.
• During the gameplay, the RTX 4070 could only deliver 50 FPS on average, while the RTX 3080 Ti produced a 58 FPS average.
• The RTX 4070 operated at 193.4 W, a far lower power usage than the RTX 3080 Ti’s average consumption of 344.1 W.
• Regarding GPU temperature, the RTX 3080 Ti ran at 73°C, whereas the RTX 4070 ran at 65°C.
• At the low 1% frame rate, the RTX 4070 could barely muster 27 FPS, while the RTX 3080 Ti achieved 32 FPS.

Hogwarts Legacy

• In Hogwarts Legacy, the RTX 3080 Ti performed about 19% better than the RTX 4070.
• The RTX 4070 could only generate 52 FPS on average while playing the game, whilst the RTX 3080 Ti managed 62 FPS on average.
• Compared to the RTX 3080 Ti’s average power consumption of 341.8 W, the RTX 4070 ran at a lower power of 192.2 W.
• During Hogwarts Legacy, I noted that the RTX 3080 Ti ran at 71°C, whereas the RTX 4070 ran at 65°C.
• 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

• In Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, the RTX 3080 Ti outperformed the RTX 4070 by 21 FPS or about 25% greater frame rate rendition.
• The RTX 4070 produced only 85 FPS on average, while the RTX 3080 Ti gained a higher average of 106 FPS.
• I observed that the RTX 4070 operated at a lower power of only 196.6 W in Mount & Blade II, compared to the RTX 3080 Ti’s 349.4 W.
• During Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, the RTX 3080 Ti had a temperature of 72°C, while the RTX 4070 ran cooler at 66°C.
• As for the low 1% frame rate, the RTX 4070 delivered 79 FPS, and the RTX 3080 Ti performed better, producing 98 FPS.

Also Read: RTX 4070 Vs RTX 4080

Overwatch 2

• The RTX 3080 Ti defeated the RTX 4070 in Overwatch 2 by a performance lead of 171 FPS or approximately 161% greater rendition.
• While playing the game, the RTX 4070 could only produce 106 FPS on average, and the RTX 3080 Ti yielded 277 FPS.
• The RTX 4070 ran at a lower power of 194.7 W compared to the RTX 3080 Ti’s average power usage of 351.9 W.
• In Overwatch 2, the RTX 3080 Ti operated at 73°C, whereas the RTX 4070 operated at 65°C.
• 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

• Commencing with Atomic Heart, I observed a 16% performance improvement when using the RTX 3080 Ti over the RTX 4070.
• The RTX 4070 only achieved an average frame rate of 70 FPS, whereas the RTX 3080 Ti managed 81 FPS on average.
• Compared to the RTX 3080 Ti’s power draw of 347.9 W, the RTX 4070 worked at a lower power of 195.0 W.
• The RTX 3080 Ti ran at 73°C during Resident Evil 4, whereas the RTX 4070 ran at 65°C.
• 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

• During Sons Of The Forest, the RTX 3080 Ti outperformed the RTX 4070 by approximately 17%, with a 9 FPS lead.
• The RTX 4070 only acquired an average frame rate of 53 FPS, whereas the RTX 3080 Ti managed an average of 62 FPS.
• Additionally, the RTX 4070 ran at a lower power of 198.8 W compared to the RTX 3080 Ti’s power draw of 341.1 W.
• Regarding the temperature, I noticed that the RTX 3080 Ti ran at 67°C, while the RTX 4070 ran at 65°C.
• 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.

Also Check: RTX 4070 Vs RTX 3070 Ti

The Last Of Us Part 1

• In The Last Of Us Part 1, the RTX 3080 Ti showcased an approximately 17% or 9 FPS superior performance than the RTX 4070.
• I experienced an average frame rate of 37 FPS with the RTX 4070, while the RTX 3080 Ti delivered an average of 51 FPS.
• Further, the RTX 4070 operated at a lower power of only 188.0 W, whereas the RTX 3080 Ti had an average power draw of 343.1 W.
• With regards to GPU operating temperature, the RTX 3080 Ti served at 74°C, whereas the RTX 4070 executed this game at 69°C.
• As 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 Analysis

In this part of the RTX 4070 vs RTX 3080 Ti battle, we will evaluate and contrast the overall gaming performance, power usage, and thermal efficiency of the two high-end GPUs to determine which one comes out on top.

Performance

Average FPS

• In our frame rate contest, the RTX 3080 Ti triumphs with an astonishing average margin of almost 55% over the RTX 4070.
• The RTX 3080 Ti recorded an impressive overall frame rate of 117.6 FPS at 4K resolution, while the RTX 4070 came in at an average of 75.9 FPS during the above-mentioned games.
• The RTX 4070 could not beat the RTX 3080 Ti’s average frame rate in any of the above games.

Also Read: RTX 3080 Vs 3080 Ti

Low 1% FPS

• In terms of the low 1% FPS, the RTX 3080 Ti again prevailed over the RTX 4070 with an astounding average advantage of almost 35.5%.
• I discovered that the RTX 3080 Ti delivers an exceptional overall low 1% frame rate of 78.6 FPS, while the RTX 4070 could only manage 58 FPS at its best.

The overall stats show that the low 1% frame rate rendered by the RTX 3080 Ti is even higher than the average frame rate provided by the RTX 4070. Thus, the RTX 3080 Ti is significantly superior to the RTX 4070 considering the gaming performance.

Power Efficiency

• The RTX 4070 has about 85% higher gaming power efficiency or lower energy utilization than the RTX 3080 Ti.
• While I played the aforementioned titles at 4K resolution, the RTX 4070 had an overall power consumption of 187.3 W, whereas the RTX 3080 Ti consumed more energy with an average of 345.5 W.
• Both the graphics cards executed the games with power usage levels closer to their respective design TDP.

Also Read: Gaming PC Power Usage

Thermal Efficiency

• I 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).
  

To deal with GPU overheating issues, read our guide on how to lower GPU temperature.

Price And Availability

It is prudent to consider a GPU’s price and availability before purchasing. When comparing the launch MSRPs, Nvidia introduced the RTX 4070 for $599 in April 2023, and they launched the RTX 3080 Ti for $1199 in June 2021.

Due to its exceptional performance and demand, the RTX 3080 Ti is still selling for a high price. The current market price of the RTX 4070 is $549 to $649 for its MSI variant. On the other hand, the RTX 3080 Ti is available in markets from $999 for its ZOTAC variant to higher tags for different variants.

Similar Comparisons: RX 6800 XT Vs RTX 3080 Ti

Considering the availability factor, the RTX 4070 and the RTX 3080 Ti are currently easily accessible through numerous online and physical vendors. They are simple to order online from various e-commerce sites like Amazon, Newegg, and others.

Which One Would I Recommend?

• If you prioritize an unmatched gaming experience with top-of-the-line performance and have no financial limitations, I recommend the RTX 3080 Ti. Its gaming performance is far superior to that of the RTX 4070.
• However, if you’re looking for an efficient GPU with minimal running costs, I suggest looking at the RTX 4070.
• The RTX 4070 is far more affordable than the RTX 3080 Ti and offers about 85% more power efficiency and 11.2% greater thermal efficiency, which lowers electricity bills. The GPU also delivers excellent gaming performance at 1080p and 1440p resolutions.

Pros And Cons

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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.

Get In Touch: manaf@tech4gamers.com