RTX 4070 Vs RTX 4080: Should You Upgrade?

Our previous comparison saw AMD’s flagship RX 7900 XT outperforming NVIDIA’s last-gen RTX 3080 Ti in terms of performance. Now, we turn our attention to the new RTX 4070 vs RTX 4080 showdown, where we aim to examine the extent of the difference in their performance.

Key Takeaways

• Firstly, it’s important to note that the RTX 4070 and RTX 4080 share the same Ada Lovelace architecture as their foundation.
• Moreover, during benchmark tests, the RTX 4080 demonstrated a 40.7% lead over the NVIDIA RTX 4070 in terms of average FPS. The RTX 4080 achieved 94.3 FPS, while the RTX 4070 only produced 62.6 FPS.
• Additionally, it is worth noting that the RTX 4070 uses 40.6% less power than the RTX 4080, as per benchmark tests.
• In terms of thermal efficiency, the RTX 4080 showed 8.3% better results in benchmark tests compared to the RTX 4070.

Comparison Table

Architectural Difference

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is a part of the latest generation of NVIDIA GPUs and was recently released. It features the Ada Lovelace technology and boasts a 5nm process size, 12GB of GDDR6X ram, impressive clock speeds of 1920 MHz, and up to 2475 MHz boost clock. With its advanced features and specifications, the RTX 4070 promises to offer high-quality performance and immersive gaming experiences.

Also Read: RX 7900 XT vs RTX 4080

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is the latest addition to the cutting-edge graphics card lineup from NVIDIA. Recently released, this GPU is equipped with Ada Lovelace technology and has a 4nm process size, making it more power-efficient. With 16GB of GDDR6X ram, a base clock of 2205 MHz, and a boost clock of up to 2505 MHz, the RTX 4080 promises to deliver a powerful and spectacular gaming performance.

RTX 4070 Vs RTX 4080: Gaming Benchmarks

After examining the technical aspects of the RTX 4070 and RTX 4080, it’s time to move on to the next stage of the comparison. Our goal now is to evaluate the performance of these two graphics cards through comprehensive and rigorous testing using a variety of modern games.

Testing Rig

Here are the specs of the testing rig:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
• Motherboard: Asus TUF B550-Plus
• Memory: G.SKILL Trident Z RGB Series 32GB 3600 MHz
• Storage Drive: Crucial P3 Plus 1TB PCIe Gen4 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD
• CPU Cooler: Arctic Freezer 34 Esports Duo
• Power Supply: EVGA 1000W Gold
• Operating System: Windows 10

To ensure accurate and detailed findings, we will be conducting a thorough comparison between the RTX 4070 and RTX 4080 GPUs by evaluating their 1% lows, power consumption, temperature, and average FPS at 4K ultra settings.

Note: It is important to keep in mind that benchmark tests can be affected by external factors like temperature and background software, which can have an impact on the final results. As a result, it’s crucial to regard the outcomes as approximations rather than precise measurements.

Without any further due, let’s explore the RTX 4070 vs RTX 4080 gaming benchmarks. 

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

• Going over the average FPS, it becomes clear that the RTX 4080 reigns supreme with 36.6%, achieving an impressive 84 FPS compared to the RTX 4070’s 58 FPS.
• In addition, when it comes to 1% lows, the RTX 4080 has the edge over the RTX 4070 with a 16.2% difference, boasting 40 FPS compared to 34 FPS.
• Moreover, the RTX 4080 draws more power than its counterpart, consuming 236 W compared to the RTX 4070’s power consumption of 167 W, resulting in a 33% difference.
• In terms of temperature, the RTX 4080 shows better thermal efficiency than the RTX 4070 with a difference of 7.6% or 4°C, recording an average temperature of 50°C compared to 54°C for the latter.

Also Read: RTX 4080 Vs RX 6900 XT: Which Is Better? [2023]

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

• Firstly, the RTX 4080 boasts a noticeable improvement in average FPS compared to its counterpart, the RTX 4070. It achieves a whopping 36.9% increase with 93 FPS compared to the latter’s 64 FPS.
• Furthermore, the RTX 4080 showcases a 23.8% lead over the RTX 4070 in 1% lows, with the former exhibiting 61 FPS while the latter only presents 48 FPS.
• In addition, the power consumption of the RTX 4070 is lower than that of the RTX 4080, with the former using 178 W and the latter consuming 248 W, resulting in a 32.8% disparity.
• In terms of thermal performance, the RTX 4080 comes out ahead of the RTX 4070, with an average temperature of 51°C, a 7.5% or 4°C difference compared to the latter, which recorded a temperature of 55°C.

Borderlands 3

• With a remarkable increase of 45.3%, the RTX 4080 outperforms the RTX 4070 in terms of average FPS, achieving a noteworthy 92 FPS, while the latter lags behind with only 58 FPS.
• Additionally, the RTX 4080 outshines the RTX 4070 with a 26.8% advantage in 1% lows, with a remarkable 38 FPS compared to 29 FPS.
• Moreover, the RTX 4070’s power efficiency is better than the RTX 4080’s, with the former drawing only 197 W compared to the latter’s 315 W, resulting in a 46% difference.
• Furthermore,  the RTX 4080 exhibits better thermal management than the RTX 4070, with an average temperature of 57°C, which is 3.5% or 2°C lower than the 55°C recorded by the latter.

Call Of Duty Modern Warfare II

• Firstly, the RTX 4080’s average FPS performance is remarkable compared to the RTX 4070, achieving a 47.9% increase with 75 FPS, while the RTX 4070 falls short with only 46 FPS.
• Besides, the RTX 4080 performs better than the RTX 4070 in terms of 1% lows, with a 44.4% lead, exhibiting 66 FPS compared to 42 FPS.
• Furthermore, when it comes to power consumption, the RTX 4070 is more energy-efficient than the RTX 4080, consuming only 195 W compared to the latter’s 283 W, resulting in a 36.8% difference.
• Moreover, in regards to thermal efficiency, the RTX 4080 shows better cooling than the RTX 4070, showing an average of 54°C compared to 55°C, representing a 1.8% or 1°C difference.

Cyberpunk 2077

• With an impressive 47.3% improvement in average FPS, the RTX 4080 outshines the RTX 4070, achieving a stunning 47 FPS, while the RTX 4070 lags behind at 29 FPS.
• Similarly, there is a difference of 43.7% in 1% lows between the RTX 4080 and the RTX 4070, with the former delivering 39 FPS and the latter presenting 25 FPS.
• In addition, the RTX 4080 consumes more power than the RTX 4070, drawing 300 W compared to the latter’s 183 W, resulting in a 48.4% difference.
• Moreover, the RTX 4080 has superior thermal management than the RTX 4070, achieving an average temperature of 53°C, which is 7.2% or 4°C lower than the 57°C recorded by the latter.

Also Read: Nvidia RTX 4080 Vs RTX 3080 Ti 

Days Gone

• In terms of average FPS, the RTX 4080 takes the lead over the RTX 4070, delivering a remarkable 44% increase with 108 FPS, while the RTX 4070 achieves only 69 FPS.
• Moreover, the RTX 4080 offers superior performance over the RTX 4070 in 1% lows, with a difference of 41.5% between the two, exhibiting 64 FPS versus 42 FPS.
• Additionally, the RTX 4070’s power usage is lower than the RTX 4080’s, with the former using only 196 W and the latter consuming 312 W, resulting in a 45.6% disparity.
• Finally, the RTX 4080 demonstrates better temperature control than the RTX 4070, with a 1.8% or 1°C difference in average temperature, recording 55°C compared to 56°C for the latter.

The Witcher 3 Next Gen

• Firstly, the RTX 4080 outperforms the RTX 4070 in average FPS, achieving a remarkable 47.1% increase with 55 FPS, while the RTX 4070 struggles with only 34 FPS.
• Additionally, the RTX 4080 surpasses the RTX 4070 in terms of 1% lows, with a 37.8% difference, delivering 44 FPS compared to 30 FPS.
• Moreover, the RTX 4080 draws more power than the RTX 4070, with the former consuming 292 W and the latter drawing only 190 W, resulting in a 42.3% difference.
• In terms of thermal performance, the RTX 4080 provides better cooling than the RTX 4070, with a 1.8% or 1°C difference in average temperature, measuring 54°C and 55°C, respectively.

Forza Horizon 5

• The RTX 4080 delivers an impressive 106 FPS with a 38.2% increase in average FPS compared to the RTX 4070’s 72 FPS, making it the clear winner in terms of gaming performance.
• Furthermore, there is a 31.5% variance in 1% lows between the RTX 4080 and the RTX 4070, with the former showcasing 88 FPS and the latter displaying 64 FPS.
• Additionally, the RTX 4070’s power consumption is less than the RTX 4080’s, with the former consuming 159 W and the latter drawing 232 W, resulting in a 37.3% difference.
• Moreover, we found that the RTX 4080 demonstrates superior thermal efficiency compared to the RTX 4070, with a 10.1% or 5°C difference in average temperature, recording 47°C compared to 52°C for the latter.

Similar Comparisons: RTX 4080 Vs RTX 3090

GTA 5

• When it comes to average FPS, the RTX 4080 leaves the RTX 4070 in the dust with a remarkable 34.8% increase, achieving a whopping 118 FPS compared to the latter’s 83 FPS.
• Besides, the RTX 4080 outperforms the RTX 4070 in 1% lows as well, with a 25.1% difference, boasting 85 FPS compared to 66 FPS.
• Additionally, the RTX 4080 consumes more power than the RTX 4070, drawing 250 W compared to the latter’s 167 W, resulting in a 39.8% disparity.
• Our testing revealed that the RTX 4080 exhibits better thermal management compared to the RTX 4070, as it recorded an average temperature of 48°C, which is 8% or 4°C lower than the latter’s 52°C.

Horizon Zero Dawn

• With an impressive 37.9% increase in average FPS, the RTX 4080 delivers a stunning 116 FPS, outshining the RTX 4070, which achieves only 79 FPS in benchmark tests.
• In addition, the RTX 4080 delivers better results than the RTX 4070 in terms of 1% lows, with a 34.1% lead, presenting 68 FPS as opposed to 96 FPS.
• In comparison, the RTX 4080 uses more power than the RTX 4070, consuming 284 W compared to the latter’s 196 W, resulting in a 36.6% difference.
• Moreover, the RTX 4080 has a better temperature profile than the RTX 4070, with a 9.3% or 5°C difference in average temperature, measuring 51°C compared to 56°C for the latter.

Red Dead Redemption 2

• Despite the RTX 4070’s respectable 68 FPS score in benchmark tests, the RTX 4080 still manages to outperform it with an impressive 41.8% increase, resulting in a stunning 104 FPS.
• Moreover, the RTX 4080 exhibits superior 1% lows compared to the RTX 4070, with a lead of 56.7% and a production of 43 FPS, in contrast to the RTX 4070’s 24 FPS.
• Furthermore, the RTX 4080 has a higher power consumption than the RTX 4070, drawing 297 W in contrast to the latter’s 190 W, indicating a 43.9% variance.
• Finally, the RTX 4080 boasts a better temperature profile compared to the RTX 4070, with a slight 3.7% or 2°C variance in average temperature, recording 53°C, whereas the latter runs at 55°C.

Overall Gaming Performance

Upon analyzing the benchmark results from multiple games, it becomes evident that one graphics card prevails over the other in the competition of RTX 4070 vs RTX 4080.

• Starting off, through our benchmark testing, we found that the RTX 4080 outperforms the RTX 4070 in FPS and 1% lows across all games.
• In terms of average FPS, the GeForce RTX 4080 outperforms the RTX 4070, delivering 90.7 FPS compared to the latter’s 60 FPS.
• Moreover, when it came to FPS performance, the RTX 4080 provides a substantial 40.7% boost over the RTX 4070, delivering a clear advantage in gaming.

Also Read: RTX 4080 Vs RTX 3080 

Average Power Consumption

Selecting a graphics card that provides excellent performance without crossing the power threshold is critical. Our analysis of the RTX 4070 and RTX 4080 uncovered the following findings related to power consumption.

• The GeForce RTX 4080’s high power consumption of 320 W and requirement for a 700 W power supply to operate optimally are significant concerns, despite its solid performance.
• Additionally, the RTX 4070 stands out for its power efficiency, boasting a low TDP of 200 W and requiring only a 550 W power supply, making it an attractive option for those seeking an eco-friendly option.
• Compared to the RTX 4080, the GeForce RTX 4070 boasts 46.1% better power efficiency in terms of TDP, making it an excellent choice for energy-conscious users.
• Moreover, the RTX 4080 was found to have consistently higher power consumption than the RTX 4070 during benchmark testing.
• Notably, the RTX 4070 consumes only 183.6 W on average, making it 40.4% more power-efficient than the RTX 4080, which uses an average of 277.1 W.

Average Thermal Statistics

Similar to the power usage data, the thermal measurements offer valuable information about the benchmark performance of the RTX 4070 vs RTX 4080.

• During benchmark testing, the RTX 4070 exhibited higher temperatures than the RTX 4080 even though it had inferior FPS performance, and the RTX 4080 remained more thermally efficient across all games tested.
• Throughout the benchmark tests, the RTX 4070 demonstrated a higher average temperature of 54.9°C compared to the RTX 4080’s lower average temperature of 50.5°C.
• Finally, the RTX 4080 shows better thermal efficiency compared to the RTX 4070, as evidenced by an 8.3% difference in their average thermal statistics during testing.

Pricing And Availability

The RTX 4070 and RTX 4080’s pricing and availability were evaluated after an in-depth performance analysis. Despite being pricey, they are among NVIDIA’s latest and most advanced options.

The GeForce RTX 4080 has an MSRP of $1199, while the GeForce RTX 4070 is priced at $599. It’s worth noting that pricing can vary significantly between different models and variants. For instance, manufacturers, including ASUS and MSI, have premium variants, which can cost a bit more.

Moreover, it is important to note that the GeForce 4080 is almost 66.7% more expensive than the RTX 4070, with the price difference between the two cards potentially being even greater depending on the specific model and variant.

RTX 4070 Vs RTX 4080: Which One To Get?

• The RTX 4080 offers a notable 40.7% increase in average FPS production compared to the RTX 4070.
• Conversely, the RTX 4070 is a cost-effective option, priced at 66.7% less than the RTX 4080.

Apart from pricing, thermal efficiency is a crucial factor to consider while selecting a graphics card. The RTX 4080 generates an average of 8.3% less heat compared to the RTX 4070. Furthermore, the RTX 4070 is more power-efficient, providing a 40.6% advantage over the RTX 4080.

When choosing between the two, users must evaluate their specific needs. While the RTX 4080 delivers remarkable performance and thermal efficiency, the RTX 4070 is a more affordable option that does not compromise on cost and power consumption. We hope that our comparison of the RTX 4070 and RTX 4080 will aid users in making an informed decision.

Pros And Cons

If you are still considering your options and want to explore alternatives to the RTX 4070 and RTX 4080, we suggest checking out our website. For instance, we recently conducted a comprehensive analysis of the RTX 4080 and RX 6950 XT, examining their respective performance, pricing, and thermal efficiency.