RTX 5070 vs 4070 vs 3070: The Brutal Truth After Testing!
You’ve seen the hype, maybe considered an upgrade across these three generations of Nvidia’s popular 70-class GPUs. But what’s the real story behind the marketing? We put the RTX 3070, 4070, and 5070 through rigorous head-to-head benchmarks in the latest games. The results are… complicated. We found significant performance leaps in some areas, embarrassing VRAM bottlenecks crippling older cards, underwhelming generational gains where it mattered most, and confusing frame generation claims. Forget the spin – this is the unvarnished, data-driven truth about how these cards actually stack up against each other right now.
Is 8GB VRAM Officially DEAD? (RTX 3070 vs 12GB Cards Tested)
Remember when 8GB felt like plenty? For RTX 3070 owners, those days are ending fast. We tested it against the 12GB RTX 4070 and 5070 in demanding new titles like Indiana Jones and Final Fantasy 16. The results were stark: the 3070 didn’t just stutter; it crashed or tanked performance at settings the other cards handled easily, even at 1080p/1440p. We had to lower texture quality just to run benchmarks, proving 8GB is now a major bottleneck limiting your visual experience. Our tests strongly suggest 8GB VRAM is insufficient for modern AAA gaming at higher settings.
Why Your RTX 3070 Crashes in New Games (And the 5070 Doesn’t)
Frustrated by your trusty RTX 3070 suddenly crashing or becoming unplayably stuttery in the latest AAA releases? The culprit is almost certainly its 8GB VRAM buffer. Modern games like Indiana Jones or Horizon Forbidden West, especially at higher texture settings, are demanding more video memory than the 3070 has. When it runs out, it has to constantly swap data with slower system RAM, leading to massive performance drops or outright crashes. The 12GB VRAM on the 4070 and 5070 prevents this, allowing them to run the same settings smoothly.
Frame Generation Explained: Why 50-Series is Different (But is it Better?)
Nvidia’s frame generation promises smoother gameplay, but it’s not the same across generations. Your 3070 doesn’t support Nvidia’s version at all (only third-party/AMD alternatives). The 4070 offers x2 frame generation (doubling FPS). The new 5070 adds x3 and x4 modes. Does more generated frames mean a better experience? Not necessarily. As we’ll explain, frame generation boosts motion fluidity on high-refresh monitors but doesn’t improve responsiveness (input lag). While the 5070 can hit higher numbers, the real-world benefit over the 4070’s x2 mode might be limited for many users.
RTX 5070 Frame Gen x3/x4: Worthless Gimmick or Game Changer?
The RTX 5070 boasts new x3 and x4 frame generation modes, promising sky-high FPS numbers beyond the 4070’s x2 capability. But is this actually useful? Our testing shows frame generation primarily increases motion smoothness, not input responsiveness. So, unless you have a very high refresh rate monitor (240Hz+) capable of displaying those extra frames, the benefit is lost. Furthermore, generating frames from an already low base frame rate still feels laggy. While technically impressive, for many gamers, these higher FG modes on the 5070 might offer little practical advantage over the 4070’s implementation.
Frame Generation Isn’t Real Performance – Here’s Why (RTX 40 vs 50 Fluidity Explained)
Seeing FPS jump from 60 to 120 (x2 FG) or even 180 (x3 FG) looks amazing on paper, but it’s crucial to understand what frame generation doesn’t do. It inserts interpolated frames between traditionally rendered ones, increasing visual smoothness (motion fluidity) on capable displays. However, it doesn’t reduce input lag or make the game feel more responsive like a true native frame rate increase does. Our tests show similar latency between the 4070 and 5070 despite different FG modes. Think of it as a motion smoothing feature, not a pure performance booster for responsiveness.
The REAL Cost of Upgrading Your GPU: RTX 3070 to 5070 Deep Dive
Thinking of jumping from an RTX 3070 to the new 5070? It’s not just the sticker price of the new card. You’re getting ~58% more raw performance and 50% more VRAM (8GB to 12GB), plus frame generation. That’s a noticeable uplift. But consider the current inflated 5070 prices (well above MSRP), the hassle of swapping components, and potentially needing other upgrades (like power supply). We break down the actual cost versus the tangible benefits to help you decide if this specific upgrade path makes financial and practical sense for your gaming needs right now.
RTX 5070 Pricing is INSANE: Is it Even Worth Considering Right Now?
The RTX 5070 has an MSRP of $550, but good luck finding one anywhere near that. At the time of filming, stock is scarce, and prices are often inflated to $600, $700, or even higher. While it offers a solid performance jump over the 3070 and includes new features, this terrible launch pricing significantly damages its value proposition. Is a ~14% gain over a readily available (often discounted or used) 4070 worth paying such a premium? We explore why current market conditions make the 5070 a tough recommendation despite its technical merits.
Forget New GPUs? Why the USED Market is Hot Right Now (RTX 3070/4070 Deals)
With new GPU prices often inflated (looking at you, RTX 5070!), savvy gamers are turning to the used market. Platforms like Jawa.gg connect gamers directly, offering significant savings on previous-generation cards like the RTX 3070 or even the 4070. You can often find these cards performing admirably for much less than a new 5070, making them fantastic value. Plus, selling your old card on the same platform can help fund your upgrade. We explore why checking out used options is essential before pulling the trigger on an expensive new release.
How Much FASTER is the RTX 5070 Than Your 3070? (Real World Tests)
Own an RTX 3070 and wondering just how big the leap to the 5070 really is? Forget vague marketing claims; we benchmarked them head-to-head across multiple demanding titles like Cyberpunk, Silent Hill 2, and Horizon Forbidden West. On average, across our test suite (excluding VRAM-limited outliers), the RTX 5070 delivered a substantial 58% performance uplift over the 3070. We’ll show you the specific game results and percentage gains, giving you a clear, data-backed picture of the real-world speed increase you can expect from this upgrade.
RTX 3070 Owners: Is the 5070 Upgrade FINALLY Worth It? (+50% Speed!)
You’ve held onto your RTX 3070, maybe skipped the 40-series. Now the 5070 is here. Is this the upgrade you’ve been waiting for? Our benchmarks show a compelling case: on average, the 5070 is over 50% faster (58% in our tests) than the 3070. Plus, you get 12GB of VRAM (up from 8GB), solving modern VRAM bottlenecks, and access to Nvidia’s latest frame generation tech. While pricing is currently poor, the performance and feature jump is significant. If you’re feeling the limits of your 3070, the 5070 offers a definitively better experience.
Cyberpunk RT Overdrive: Can the RTX 5070 Handle It? (vs 3070/4070)
Cyberpunk 2077’s demanding RT Overdrive (path tracing) mode brings GPUs to their knees. How does the new RTX 5070 fare compared to its predecessors? At 1440p with DLSS Balanced, the 5070 manages a playable 58 FPS average, significantly better than the 4070’s 51 FPS and leagues ahead of the 3070’s struggling 34 FPS. While still not hitting high refresh rates natively in this mode, the 5070 makes path tracing a much more viable experience, offering a glimpse into truly next-gen visuals that remain largely out of reach for the older cards.
DLSS 4 Transformer Model Tested: Does it Save the RTX 3070?
Nvidia’s latest DLSS 4 upscaling (using the Transformer model) is supported even by older RTX cards like the 3070. Can this advanced AI upscaling breathe new life into the VRAM-limited card? In games like Cyberpunk at 1440p RT Ultra, using DLSS Quality boosted the 3070 from an unplayable 22 FPS to a borderline 49 FPS. While a significant improvement, it often wasn’t enough to overcome fundamental VRAM limitations or match the smoother experience on the 4070 (67 FPS) and 5070 (76 FPS). DLSS helps, but it can’t fully compensate for insufficient hardware.
RTX 3070 vs 4070 vs 5070 in Ray Traced Games (Silent Hill 2 Benchmark)
Ray tracing hammers performance. We tested these three GPUs in the demanding Unreal Engine 5 title Silent Hill 2 with hardware RT enabled. At 1440p Epic RT settings, the 3070 averaged just 33 FPS. The 4070 hit 45 FPS (a 36% lead), while the 5070 reached 50 FPS (a 52% lead over the 3070). Even with DLSS Quality, only the 4070 (65 FPS) and 5070 (75 FPS) provided truly smooth experiences, while the 3070 lagged at 49 FPS. The newer cards clearly offer a superior ray tracing experience.
Unlocking Max Settings: Why 12GB VRAM Matters (RTX 4070/5070 Advantage)
Why can the RTX 4070 and 5070 run games like Horizon Forbidden West or Final Fantasy 16 at max settings while the 3070 stutters or crashes? The answer is VRAM. Their 12GB buffer provides crucial headroom over the 3070’s 8GB. Our tests repeatedly showed the 3070 hitting VRAM limits, forcing compromises like lower texture quality. The 12GB cards simply allow you to crank graphical settings higher without hitting that memory wall, delivering the intended visual fidelity and smoother performance that 8GB cards now struggle with in many new titles.
Is Your RTX 3070 Still Good Enough for Competitive Gaming? (CoD Benchmarks)
Worried your RTX 3070 is falling behind? If you primarily play competitive shooters like Call of Duty and prioritize high FPS over max settings, your card might still be perfectly fine! At 1080p Basic settings in Black Ops 6, the 3070 easily averaged 164 FPS. Even at 1440p Basic, it hit 120 FPS. While the 4070 and 5070 deliver even higher frame rates (crucial for 240Hz+ monitors), the 3070 still provides a very high-refresh, competitive experience at lower graphical presets, potentially delaying your need for an upgrade.
RTX 5070 vs 4070: Why the Performance Gap is DISAPPOINTINGLY Small
Excited for a massive generational leap from the 4070 to the 5070? Temper your expectations. Across our benchmark suite, the RTX 5070 was, on average, only 14% faster than the RTX 4070. In some games, the difference was even smaller. Considering this is supposed to be a new generation, a ~14% raw performance uplift feels incredibly underwhelming, especially when paired with no increase in VRAM capacity (both are 12GB). This small gap makes the 5070 a questionable upgrade for existing 4070 owners.
RTX 4070 Owners: DON’T Upgrade to the 5070 (Here’s the Proof)
If you currently own an RTX 4070, should you rush out to buy the new 5070? Based on our extensive testing, the answer is likely a firm NO. The average performance increase is a mere 14%, you get zero extra VRAM (still 12GB), and the main new feature is higher frame generation modes that offer questionable real-world benefits for many. Unless you find an incredible deal or absolutely need that slight edge, the minor performance bump simply doesn’t justify the cost and hassle of upgrading from an already capable 4070.
The VRAM Bottleneck: How 8GB Cripples the RTX 3070 in Modern Titles (FF16 Test)
Final Fantasy 16 provides a stark example of the 8GB VRAM wall hitting the RTX 3070 hard. Even at 1080p Ultra, while the average FPS looked okay (54), the 1% lows were terrible, and the frame time graph showed massive stuttering – clear signs of exceeding VRAM capacity. At 1440p, performance tanked completely (33 FPS average). Meanwhile, the 12GB 4070 and 5070 cruised along smoothly. This test perfectly illustrates how insufficient VRAM, not just raw processing power, is now severely limiting the 3070’s ability to run modern games at higher settings.
God of War Ragnarok: Where the RTX 3070 Still Shines (vs 4070/5070)
Not every new game instantly cripples the RTX 3070. In the well-optimized God of War Ragnarok PC port, the 8GB card held its own surprisingly well. At 1080p Ultra, it achieved a smooth 74 FPS, not drastically far behind the 4070 (89 FPS) or 5070 (105 FPS). Even at 1440p Ultra, it managed a very playable 59 FPS average without obvious VRAM issues. This shows that in games optimized for its VRAM capacity, the 3070 still offers excellent performance, proving it’s not obsolete across the board… yet.
Unreal Engine 5 Showdown: RTX 3070 vs 4070 vs 5070 (Hellblade 2 Tested)
Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga is a demanding Unreal Engine 5 showcase. How do our three GPUs handle it? At 1080p High (max settings), the 3070 delivered a playable 54 FPS average. The 4070 jumped to a smoother 72 FPS (33% faster), and the 5070 hit 80 FPS (48% faster than 3070). At 1440p High, only the 5070 (57 FPS) felt truly comfortable natively, though DLSS Quality brought all cards into playable territory (59, 77, 84 FPS respectively). UE5 clearly benefits from the newer cards, but the 3070 isn’t entirely left behind with upscaling.
Ghost of Tsushima PC Performance: 3070 vs 4070 vs 5070 Max Settings
The beautiful Ghost of Tsushima port runs well across the board. At 1080p Very High, the RTX 3070 easily handled the game, averaging 84 FPS. The 4070 offered a nice bump to 109 FPS (30% faster), and the 5070 reached 120 FPS (43% faster than 3070). Even stepping up to 1440p Very High, the 3070 maintained a solid 63 FPS average, proving its capability in less VRAM-intensive titles. The 4070 (78 FPS) and 5070 (87 FPS) provide higher refresh experiences, but the 3070 delivers excellent performance here.
Horizon Forbidden West VRAM Test: When 8GB Isn’t Enough (3070 Struggles)
Horizon Forbidden West at Very High settings highlighted the RTX 3070’s VRAM limitations. While average FPS looked acceptable at 1080p (66 FPS) and 1440p (50 FPS), the 1% lows were significantly worse, and the frame time graph showed noticeable spikes compared to the smoother 12GB 4070 and 5070. This indicates the 3070 was struggling with texture loading due to insufficient VRAM, leading to jarring stutters. Users would need to lower texture settings for a consistent experience, a compromise not required on the newer cards.
58% Faster! Quantifying the RTX 5070 Leap Over the 3070
Let’s cut to the chase: how much faster is the brand new RTX 5070 compared to the two-generations-old RTX 3070? Averaging our benchmark results across a wide range of modern games and settings (excluding severe VRAM outliers for the 3070), we measured a 58% average performance increase for the 5070. This substantial uplift, combined with 50% more VRAM (12GB vs 8GB) and new features like enhanced frame generation, represents a truly meaningful generational jump in real-world gaming performance for those considering the upgrade.
Is a 38% Uplift Enough? Evaluating the RTX 3070 to 4070 Jump
If you’re looking at upgrading your RTX 3070, how does the last generation’s 4070 stack up? Our testing shows the RTX 4070 delivers an average performance increase of 38% over the 3070 (again, factoring out severe VRAM outliers). It also provides that crucial jump to 12GB VRAM and adds x2 frame generation support. While 38% is a noticeable improvement, it falls short of the traditional 50%+ leap often desired for a generational upgrade. Whether it’s “enough” depends heavily on the price you can find for a 4070, especially on the used market.
Only 14% Faster? The Underwhelming RTX 4070 to 5070 Generational Leap
If you were expecting the RTX 5070 to blow the doors off the 4070, prepare for disappointment. Our comprehensive benchmarks reveal an average raw performance increase of just 14% between these two cards. For a full generational step, this is a remarkably small uplift. It means that in many games, the real-world difference will be barely noticeable. This underwhelming gain, coupled with no VRAM increase, makes the 5070 feel less like a true successor and more like a minor refresh, severely questioning its value proposition over the existing 4070.
Why NO VRAM Increase on the RTX 5070 is a HUGE Problem
Perhaps the biggest letdown of the RTX 5070 is its VRAM capacity: still just 12GB, identical to the 4070. We’re already seeing 8GB cards like the 3070 struggle significantly in new games. While 12GB is better, it’s already borderline in some demanding titles at higher settings. Launching a new generation 70-class card without increasing VRAM to 16GB feels shortsighted. It limits the card’s ability to handle future games at max settings and raises serious concerns about its longevity, repeating the potential VRAM bottleneck issues seen with the 3070 down the line.
Future-Proofing Fail? Is the RTX 5070’s 12GB VRAM Already Outdated?
Buying a new GPU often involves thinking about longevity. Will it handle games well for years to come? The RTX 5070’s 12GB VRAM raises a red flag. While adequate today for most games, we’re seeing titles push VRAM limits harder than ever. Sticking with 12GB, when 8GB is already causing problems for the 3070, feels like a failure to future-proof. Gamers keeping this card for several years might find themselves hitting that 12GB ceiling sooner rather than later, forcing graphical compromises much like 3070 owners face now.
RTX 3070 vs 5070: Beyond FPS – VRAM & Frame Gen Differences Explained
Comparing the RTX 3070 and 5070 isn’t just about the ~58% raw FPS gain. Key differences lie in features. The 5070 boasts 12GB of VRAM versus the 3070’s 8GB, eliminating crashes and stutters in VRAM-heavy games and allowing higher texture settings. Additionally, the 5070 supports Nvidia’s native frame generation (up to x4 mode), offering significantly smoother motion on high-refresh displays, a feature the 3070 lacks entirely (relying on less optimal alternatives). These VRAM and frame gen advantages contribute significantly to the overall better experience on the 5070, beyond just higher average frame rates.
The TRUE Value Proposition: RTX 3070 vs 4070 vs 5070 Price-to-Performance
Choosing between these GPUs requires looking beyond raw speed. The 3070 offers the lowest entry cost (especially used) but struggles with VRAM. The 4070 provides a solid 38% uplift over the 3070 with 12GB VRAM and good frame gen, often found at reasonable prices used. The 5070 offers the best performance (~58% over 3070, ~14% over 4070) and more frame gen options, but currently suffers from terrible availability and inflated pricing, plus no VRAM increase over the 4070. True value depends on current market prices and your tolerance for the 3070’s limitations.
How Frame Generation Affects Latency (It’s Not What You Think!)
Seeing FPS double or triple with frame generation might make you think your game will feel incredibly responsive. However, our tests confirm frame generation does not significantly improve input latency. The 4070 and 5070 showed similar latency figures despite the 5070 potentially generating more frames. This is because generated frames are ‘inserted’ and don’t reflect new player input. While they increase visual smoothness (motion fluidity), the actual time it takes for your actions to appear on screen remains tied to the base rendered frame rate before generation is applied.
Can 3rd Party Frame Gen Save the RTX 3070? (Lossless Scaling vs Native)
Since the RTX 3070 lacks native Nvidia Frame Generation support, can alternatives like Lossless Scaling or AMD’s FSR 3 Frame Gen (if game-supported) bridge the gap? While these options can increase visual smoothness, they often come with drawbacks. Lossless Scaling typically has lower visual quality as it lacks game engine data. AMD FSR Frame Gen isn’t always compatible with DLSS upscaling. While potentially useful in some scenarios, these third-party solutions generally don’t match the quality and integration of Nvidia’s native implementation found on the 40-series and 50-series cards.
AMD FSR Frame Gen on Nvidia Cards: Does it Work with DLSS?
Some games include AMD’s FSR Frame Generation, which technically can run on Nvidia GPUs like the 3070, 4070, or 5070. However, there’s a catch: compatibility with Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling isn’t guaranteed. Depending on the specific game’s implementation and the FSR version, enabling FSR Frame Generation might force you to use FSR upscaling instead of the generally preferred DLSS, or it might not work correctly together. While an option in some titles, relying on FSR Frame Gen on Nvidia hardware can be inconsistent compared to using Nvidia’s native solution.
Responsive vs. Fluid: Understanding the Two Goals of High Frame Rates
Why do gamers chase high FPS? There are two main benefits, often confused. 1) Responsiveness: Higher native frame rates reduce input lag, making the game feel snappier and more connected to your actions – crucial for competitive play. 2) Motion Fluidity: Higher frame rates make on-screen movement (like camera pans or moving objects) appear smoother and less blurry. Frame generation primarily enhances fluidity but not responsiveness. Understanding this distinction is key to evaluating the true benefit of technologies like frame generation versus raw performance increases.
When Does RTX 5070’s x3/x4 Frame Generation Actually Matter? (High Refresh Rate Monitors)
The RTX 5070’s ability to generate 3 or 4 frames for every 1 rendered frame (x3/x4 modes) sounds impressive, but who actually benefits? Since frame generation boosts fluidity, you only see the advantage if your monitor can display those extra frames. These higher modes primarily benefit users with very high refresh rate displays (e.g., 240Hz, 360Hz). If you’re gaming on a 144Hz or lower monitor, the 4070’s x2 frame generation is likely already sufficient to max out your display’s potential smoothness, making the 5070’s extra modes largely irrelevant.
Why a High BASE Frame Rate is Crucial for Frame Generation to Feel Good
Frame generation can smooth out motion, but it can’t fix a fundamentally laggy experience. If your game is only rendering 30-40 FPS before frame generation kicks in, even doubling or tripling that number won’t make it feel responsive. The input lag remains tied to that low base frame rate. Experts generally recommend having a base frame rate of around 60 FPS or higher before enabling frame generation. This ensures the game feels reasonably responsive, allowing frame generation to effectively enhance motion fluidity without amplifying underlying sluggishness.
How Lowering Settings Can Keep Your RTX 3070 Competitive (Visibility vs Fidelity)
If you’re an RTX 3070 owner playing competitive shooters like Call of Duty, cranking graphics to Ultra might actually hinder you. Many pro players intentionally lower settings (like foliage, shadows, effects) not just for higher FPS, but for better visibility. Less visual clutter makes spotting enemies easier. By prioritizing performance and visibility over maximum fidelity, you can leverage the 3070’s still-strong rasterization power to achieve very high frame rates (often 144+) at 1080p or even 1440p low settings, remaining highly competitive without needing an immediate GPU upgrade.
RTX 3070 Performance Fix: Lowering Textures in VRAM-Heavy Games
Hitting frustrating stutters or crashes on your RTX 3070 in new AAA titles? Before giving up, try this simple fix: lower the texture quality setting. Modern games often have separate texture settings (Low, Medium, High, Ultra). High and Ultra textures consume enormous amounts of VRAM. Dropping from Ultra to High, or even Medium, can significantly reduce VRAM usage, often resolving stuttering and crashes caused by the 3070’s 8GB limit, while having a surprisingly minimal impact on overall visual quality in many cases. It’s the first setting to tweak!
Is Path Tracing Viable on ANY of These Cards? (Cyberpunk RT Overdrive Reality Check)
Cyberpunk’s RT Overdrive mode uses demanding path tracing for realistic lighting. Can the 70-class cards handle it? Even the RTX 5070 struggles, averaging only 58 FPS at 1440p with DLSS Balanced. The 4070 sits at 51 FPS, and the 3070 at a sluggish 34 FPS. While technically “playable” on the 5070 (and maybe 4070) with upscaling and perhaps frame generation for fluidity, achieving high native frame rates in path-traced scenarios remains largely out of reach for this tier of GPU. It’s an edge case best suited for higher-end cards.
The Power of DLSS Quality: Making Unplayable Games Smooth (1440p Tested)
Don’t underestimate Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling, especially the Quality setting. In demanding scenarios like Silent Hill 2 or Hellblade 2 at 1440p max settings, native performance could be choppy even on newer cards. Turning on DLSS Quality often provided a massive FPS boost (e.g., Hellblade 2 on 5070 jumped from 57 to 84 FPS!) while maintaining excellent image quality. It frequently transformed borderline or unplayable native frame rates into smooth, high-refresh experiences, proving essential for maximizing visual fidelity on the 4070 and 5070, and sometimes making games playable on the 3070.
Finding RTX 5070 Stock: The Current Nightmare for PC Builders
Excited to buy the new RTX 5070? Good luck. As highlighted during filming, launch availability is extremely poor. Cards are selling out instantly, and when they do appear, they’re often priced far above the $550 MSRP, frequently hitting $700+. This scarcity and price gouging make acquiring the 5070 a frustrating experience for builders right now. Unless you’re prepared to constantly monitor stock alerts and potentially overpay significantly, getting your hands on Nvidia’s latest 70-class offering is proving to be a major challenge.
Used RTX 4070 vs New RTX 5070: Which is the Smarter Buy?
Considering the 5070’s underwhelming 14% gain over the 4070, lack of extra VRAM, and current terrible pricing/availability, is buying one new the smart move? Often, no. You can likely find a used RTX 4070 for significantly less money. It offers 85-90% of the 5070’s performance, the same 12GB VRAM, and capable x2 frame generation. For many gamers, the substantial cost savings of a used 4070 make it a far better value proposition than chasing the marginal gains and inflated price of a new 5070 right now.
Selling Your RTX 3070: How to Fund Your Next GPU Upgrade (Jawa Tip)
Ready to move on from your RTX 3070? Don’t just let it gather dust! Selling your old card can significantly offset the cost of your new GPU. Platforms like Jawa.gg (sponsor mentioned) allow you to list your card directly to other gamers, potentially getting a better price than trade-in programs. Alternatively, Jawa offers instant cash offers for hassle-free selling. Maximizing the resale value of your 3070 is a key strategy for making that jump to a 4070 or 5070 more affordable.
RTX 70-Class Evolution: A Look Back and Forward (3070 to 5070)
Tracing the lineage from the RTX 3070 through the 4070 to the 5070 reveals an interesting story. The jump from 3070 to 4070 brought a solid ~38% performance gain and crucial VRAM increase (8GB to 12GB). However, the step from 4070 to 5070 is far less impressive: only ~14% faster raw performance and stalled at 12GB VRAM. While features like frame generation evolved, the core performance uplift between the last two generations feels disappointingly stagnant for the popular 70-tier, raising questions about future iterations.
The Outlier Effect: How VRAM Bottlenecks Skew Performance Comparisons
When comparing GPUs, especially one with less VRAM like the 8GB 3070 against 12GB cards, you have to be careful interpreting averages. In games where the 3070 hits its VRAM limit, its performance tanks, leading to huge percentage leads for the 12GB cards (e.g., 77% faster 4070 in Cyberpunk 1440p RT Ultra). These “outliers” inflate the overall average difference. The true raw performance gap, if settings were adjusted for the 8GB card, would be smaller. Recognizing these VRAM-induced outliers is crucial for accurately assessing pure processing power differences.
Best Settings for RTX 3070 in 2025 to Avoid Stuttering
Still rocking an RTX 3070 and want to maximize your experience in new games? The key is managing VRAM. Prioritize lowering Texture Quality first – dropping from Ultra to High or Medium often solves stuttering with minimal visual loss. Consider using DLSS (Quality or Balanced) for a performance boost. Be realistic about ray tracing – demanding implementations might require significant compromises or disabling RT entirely. For competitive games, embrace lower graphical presets for high FPS and better visibility. Smart tweaking can keep the 3070 viable for longer.
Does the RTX 5070 Justify a Full System Upgrade from a 3070 Build?
If you’re upgrading from an RTX 3070 to a 5070, do you need a new CPU, motherboard, or PSU? Maybe. The 5070 itself isn’t drastically more power-hungry than the 3070, so your PSU might be okay (check wattage!). However, to fully leverage the ~58% performance uplift, especially at 1080p or high frame rates, an older CPU could become a bottleneck. While not always mandatory, pairing the 5070 with a reasonably modern CPU (e.g., Ryzen 5000/Intel 12th gen or newer) is recommended to avoid leaving performance on the table.
1080p vs 1440p Gaming: Where Each RTX Card Hits its Limits
How do these cards handle different resolutions? At 1080p, even the RTX 3070 performs well in many titles (unless VRAM limited). The 4070 and 5070 easily deliver very high refresh rates. At 1440p, the demands increase. The 3070 often struggles at max settings, frequently needing DLSS or lowered settings (especially textures). The 4070 generally provides a solid 1440p experience, often above 60 FPS natively or with DLSS Quality. The 5070 offers more headroom, comfortably pushing higher frame rates or enabling more demanding features like ray tracing at this resolution.
If You Own a 4070, What SHOULD You Upgrade To? (Hint: Not the 5070)
Given the measly 14% performance gain and zero VRAM increase from the RTX 4070 to the 5070, upgrading between them makes little sense. If you have a 4070 and are seeking a truly meaningful performance boost, you need to aim higher in the product stack. Consider waiting for potential “Super” or “Ti” variants later in the 50-series cycle, or look towards higher-tier cards like the (presumably upcoming) RTX 5080 or even competitor offerings. Simply swapping a 4070 for a 5070 is likely not worth the money or effort.
The Final Verdict: Is ANY 70-Class RTX Card a Good Buy Right Now?
Evaluating the RTX 70-class lineup in late 2024/early 2025 is tough. The 3070 is aging and VRAM-limited, viable mostly used or for lower settings/1080p. The 4070 offers a good balance and 12GB VRAM, making it a strong value contender, especially used. The 5070 brings the best performance and features but suffers from an underwhelming generational leap over the 4070, the same 12GB VRAM, and terrible launch pricing/availability. Currently, a well-priced used 4070 might be the smartest buy, while the 5070 needs significant price drops to become truly compelling.