If you are not sure which graphics card to choose between the RTX 4070 and the RTX 3080, or if you want to replace your RTX 3080 with an RTX 4070, you have come to the right place. In this guide, I have compiled the main specs and gaming performance of each video card to help you make the best possible choice. Check out this comparison guide between Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 vs RTX 4070 graphics card below.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 vs RTX 4070
In this tutorial, I will give you my opinion on the best choice to make between Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 vs RTX 4070 graphics cards according to your use and the performance you are looking for. Of course, I will also explain when it is better to choose the RTX 4070 over the 3080, and vice versa.
RTX 4070 and RTX 3080 Specifications
| Features | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 3080 (10GB) |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | AD104-250-A1 | GA102 |
| CUDA Cores | 5888 | 8704 |
| Frequency (base–boost) | 1920– 2475 MHz | 1.44 – 1.71 |
| VRAM | 12GB GDDR6X | 10GB GDDR6X |
| Architecture | Lovelace | Ampere |
| Memory bus width | 192 bit | 320 bit |
| RT cores | 3rd generation | 2nd generation |
| Tensor cores | 4th generation | 3rd generation |
| Maximum resolution | 7260×4320 | 7260×4320 |
| Connectors | 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a | HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort |
| TDP(W) | 200 | 320 |
| Manufacturing process | TSMC 5nm |
Samsung 8nm |
The 10GB RTX 3080 has 8704 CUDA cores compared to 5888 for the RTX 4070. Additionally, the 3080 has a 320-bit memory bus, compared to just 192-bit for the 4070, which means the bandwidth between GPU and memory is greater on the 3080.
The 3080 uses a high-end chip from Nvidia, ending in “02”, hence its better memory interface. On the other hand, the 4070 uses a chip ending in “04”, which classifies it in the mid-range and gives it a smaller memory interface.
Gaming Performance in 4K
To be more specific, let’s compare these two RTX 4070 vs RTX 3080 graphics cards in terms of in-game performance at 4K resolution. The RTX 3080 was marketed as a graphics card designed to deliver exceptional performance at this resolution while supporting raytracing. Today, it’s considered more of a performance card for 1440p, but it’s still capable of delivering a smooth 4K gaming experience.
- In The Last of Us Part 1 game, at 4K and Ultra settings, the Nvidia RTX 4070 gives an average FPS of 27, whereas the Nvidia RTX 3080 gives an output of 26 FPS.
- In the Resident Evil 4 game, at 4K and Ultra settings, the Nvidia RTX 4070 gives an average FPS of 51, whereas the Nvidia RTX 3080 gives an output of 49 FPS.
- In the Hogwarts Legacy game, at 4K and Ultra settings, the Nvidia RTX 4070 gives an average FPS of 38, whereas the Nvidia RTX 3080 gives an output of 40 FPS.
- In the Hogwarts Legacy game, at 4K and Ultra settings, the Nvidia RTX 4070 gives an average FPS of 38, whereas the Nvidia RTX 3080 gives an output of 40 FPS.
- In the Dead Space Remake game, at 4K and Ultra settings, the Nvidia RTX 4070 gives an average FPS of 28, whereas the Nvidia RTX 3080 gives an output of 27 FPS.
- In The Callisto Protocol game, at 4K and Ultra settings, the Nvidia RTX 4070 gives an average FPS of 75, whereas the Nvidia RTX 3080 gives an output of 69 FPS.
Price
The Nvidia RTX 4070 starting price is $599 USD for the Founders Edition, and it is one the cheapest graphics card in the Nvidia 4000 Series. On the other hand, the starting price of the Nvidia RTX 3080 is $699 for the Founders Edition.
That is all you need to know about the key differences between Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 vs RTX 4070 graphics cards. While you are here, you might be also interested to know Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 vs RTX 2080 Super Comparison Guide.