Table of Contents
RTX 4060 vs 3070: Introduction
Are you struggling to choose between an RTX 4060 and 3070? Do you need a helping hand to get the proper GPU for your use case that showcases the best value you can get?
I can’t blame you; choosing between the two is challenging, especially for beginners. The RTX 4060 has the newer microchip architecture “Ada Lovelace” and was released back in 2023. On the other hand, the RTX 3070 was released before the RTX 4060, specifically in 2020, and it is built on Nvidia’s older microchip architecture, “Ampere”.
The RTX 4060 introduced newer technologies and improvements thanks to its newer architecture, but the RTX 3070 is still one of the most popular GPUs among mid-range PC builders. In this guide, we’ll cut to the chase and give you a straightforward answer to your questions, and we will tell you what to get without putting you on an endless puzzle that will confuse you even more.
Why Is It Complicated To Decide?
Choosing between the RTX 4060 and RTX 3070 matters more than ever in 2025; both GPUs offer great performance, and you will be able to play video games at 1080p, live stream on various platforms, and you will have a good time working with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Illustrator, etc.) without issues.
Both cards have their strengths and weaknesses. However, the decision is complicated because it utterly depends on your specific needs, budget, and how you plan to use your PC in the long run, and that’s why I’m here to help. Trust me, I’m a tech guy… I Googled this once. haha~
Specs Overview: RTX 4060 vs 3070
| Specs/GPU | RTX 4060 | RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace (5nm TSMC) | Ampere (8nm Samsung) |
| CUDA Cores | 3,072 | 5,888 |
| Base / Boost Clock | 1.83 GHz / 2.46 GHz | 1.50 GHz / 1.73 GHz |
| VRAM | 8 GB GDDR6 | 8 GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus Width | 128-bit | 256-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | ~272 GB/s (with L2 cache help) | 448 GB/s |
| TDP (Power Draw) | 115W | 220W |
| PCIe Interface | PCIe 4.0 x8 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 3rd Gen | 2nd Gen |
| Tensor Cores | 4th Gen | 3rd Gen |
| DLSS Support | DLSS 3 (Frame Generation) | DLSS 2 |
| Launch Price (MSRP) | $299 | $499 |
| Recommended PSU | 300 W | 550 W |
| Release Date | June 2023 | October 2020 |
Now, I will give you the most straightforward key takeaways extracted from this table:
The RTX 3070 is a no-brainer when it comes to a GPU that has more raw power without the marketing gimmick, bullshit frames and performance generated by DLSS 3 and specifically the “Frame Generation” feature, the technology that relies on AI power to generate more FPS in modern AAA video games “You can call them generated fake frames if you would like”.
You can see that the 40 series has access to the exclusive “Frame Generation” feature, while the 50 series has access to the newer exclusive “Multi Frame Generation” feature, which can generate up to 3 AI-generated frames. DLSS 3 works by guessing how the next frame will be and rendering it on your monitor.
On the other hand, the newer DLSS 4 works by guessing how the next three frames will be and rendering them in your monitor consecutively.
You can read the full article about DLSS 3 & 3.5, which is the improved version of DLSS 3 on Nvidia’s official website.
With the introduction of such technologies, most companies and video game developers we know have become lazier than ever. Game developers strive to integrate such features to leave the burden of making their games well-optimized.
Meanwhile, tech companies such as Nvidia release the same card generation after generation with minor improvements on the budget cards (Specifically the RTX 4060) while focusing on shiny features and marketing terms that don’t improve the actual raw power of the video card’s hardware.
The RTX 3070 has a wider memory bus, a better PCIe Interface, and almost twice the CUDA cores compared to the newer RTX 4060. The RTX 3070 is performing way better than the RTX 4060 despite using the previous architecture, “Ampere,” which is based on the 8 nm microchip manufactured by Samsung.
The RTX 4060 is much more power-efficient and requires a decent PSU with only 300 watts; trust me, paying electrical bills won’t be a burden anymore, and your bill might even get a vacation after upgrading. Hehe~
It features the new AV1 encoder, which is an amazing encoder, and it’s beneficial to those interested in content creation and live streaming. It also features newer generations for both the ray tracing cores and tensor cores. However, the RTX 4060 doesn’t give the same performance as the old high-end Nvidia GPU, the RTX 3070.
Gaming Performance: RTX 4060 vs 3070
This video by the “Testing Games” channel sums up the verdict on whether choosing an RTX 4060 or an RTX 3070 for gaming purposes only.
All games were tested at 1080p using high to ultra presets, with ray tracing and DLSS enabled when specified.
Modern AAA Titles
- Black Myth: Wukong – RTX 3070 averages 38 FPS (DLSS 66%, medium RT), while RTX 4060 trails slightly at 36 FPS.
- Silent Hill 2 – RTX 3070 leads with 58 FPS (Epic preset, DLSS Quality, RT on), compared to 48 FPS on the RTX 4060.
- Ghost of Tsushima – RTX 3070 reaches 78 FPS on high settings, while RTX 4060 manages 62 FPS.
- God of War: Ragnarok – A clear win for the 3070 at 102 FPS (ultra), with the 4060 delivering 78 FPS.
- Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 – RTX 3070 scores 71 FPS (ultra), while RTX 4060 comes in at 54 FPS.
- Alan Wake 2 – RTX 3070 pulls 50 FPS (ultra), while RTX 4060 drops to 37 FPS.
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – RTX 3070 continues the lead with 54 FPS (high), compared to 42 FPS on RTX 4060.
Ray Traced & DLSS-Heavy Titles
- Horizon Forbidden West – Again consistent: RTX 3070 at 86 FPS (high settings), RTX 4060 at 67 FPS.
- Star Wars: Outlaws – RTX 3070 achieves 84 FPS (ultra, low RT, DLSS Quality), with RTX 4060 at 67 FPS.
- Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty – Identical trend: RTX 3070 runs at 84 FPS (ultra, RT + DLSS Quality), while RTX 4060 averages 65 FPS.
Productivity & Creative Work: RTX 4060 vs 3070
To cut to the chase, the RTX 4060 will perform better than the RTX 3070 in the Adobe Creative Suite as a result of its newer Ada Lovelace architecture and better encoders, specifically the AV1 encoder, as the Adobe Creative Suite tends to like better encoders and newer architectures.
The RTX 4060 will also perform better than the RTX 3070 in ray tracing and AI-based workflows. It will also perform better in 3D rendering applications, video production, and live streaming.
Live streamers will also benefit from the AV1 encoder as it allows them to stream at a low bitrate without losing video quality. It is extremely beneficial to live streamers with low internet speeds and bandwidths.
However, the RTX 3070 is still a beast when it comes to heavy rendering tasks and high-resolution 3d modeling, and various big creative projects. As a result of its larger memory bandwidth (448 GB/s) and 256-bit memory bus, the RTX 3070 can handle complex video editing tasks, especially in 4K resolution, and also VR rendering.
Market Prices: RTX 4060 vs 3070
The RTX 4060 was introduced in mid-2023 with an MSRP of $299, while the RTX 3070 was released in late 2020 with an MSRP of $499. You can find good deals, especially on eBay, where you can find used (Buying second-hand) RTX 4060 and 3070 Nvidia GPUs below their original MSRP. You can also find great deals on Amazon, especially on holidays such as Black Friday.
Future-Proofing: RTX 4060 vs 3070
When investing in a GPU, it’s important to understand that a good GPU is not judged by what it can do right now but by how long it will stay relevant and be used in the long term.
The RTX 4060 is a safe long-term investment for 1080p gamers and content creators who want a quiet, efficient, yet modern GPU that will stay relevant for years to come and packs the modern features required by some use cases.
The RTX 3070 is a beast when it comes to 1080p or even 1440p (2K) gaming. It’s a great GPU for long-term use, especially for gamers and people who have heavy workloads to do, but it may start showing aging signs in a couple of years to come.
Best Use Cases: RTX 4060 vs 3070
To be straightforward, the RTX 3070 is for gamers only. It can do video production and live streaming with ease, but the newer “Ada Lovelace” architecture and the newer AV1 encoder make the work a lot easier, and the RTX 4060 stands out in the crowd. The RTX 4060 is tailored for content creators and live streamers.
Conclusion
In simple terms:
- The RTX 3070 is for true gamers striving to get top-tier FPS and a high refresh rate experience at 1080p.
- The RTX 4060 is for content creators and live streamers who play casually without striving for higher FPS counts at 1080p.
Looking to game at 1440p? Don’t miss our detailed comparison of the RTX 4060 vs 4070, one’s a budget king, the other is a 1440p beast built for high-resolution gaming.
