GeForce GTX 1070 vs GeForce GTX 970
On raw speed the GeForce GTX 1070 comes out ahead: far and away the quicker card, about 120% ahead of the GeForce GTX 970. Best performance and best value in one card here — the clear recommendation if you can afford it.
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Comparable or lower specs
GeForce GTX 1070 vs GeForce GTX 970: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX 1070 vs GeForce GTX 970
The GeForce GTX 1070 is dramatically faster, around 120% ahead of the GeForce GTX 970. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce GTX 1070 packs 1,920 CUDA cores versus 1,664 on the GeForce GTX 970.
Price & Value
The GeForce GTX 1070 currently lists from $250 CAD, $38 CAD less than the GeForce GTX 970 at $288 CAD. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce GTX 1070 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 153%. The GeForce GTX 1070 is trading below its $379 CAD MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce GTX 970 is trading below its $329 CAD MSRP — a genuine deal.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
VRAM favors the GeForce GTX 1070 at 8GB versus 4GB on the GeForce GTX 970 — that extra 4GB matters most at 4K, with high-res texture packs, and for content-creation/local-AI work. The GeForce GTX 1070's memory is also faster — 256 GB/s versus 224 GB/s — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce GTX 1070 is roughly 2 years newer than the GeForce GTX 970 (Pascal vs Maxwell), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1070 or GeForce GTX 970?
The GeForce GTX 1070 is the all-round winner here — it's faster and the better value, so buy it if it fits your budget. Only consider the GeForce GTX 970 if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce GTX 1070 better than the GeForce GTX 970?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1070 or the GeForce GTX 970?
Is the GeForce GTX 970 worth the extra $38 CAD over the GeForce GTX 1070?
Does the GeForce GTX 1070 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1070 or GeForce GTX 970?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1070 | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Pascal | Maxwell |
| Process Node | TSMC 16nm | TSMC 28nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 1,920✓ | 1,664 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1070 | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,506 MHz✓ | 1,050 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,683 MHz✓ | 1,178 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1070 | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB✓ | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| Memory Speed | 8 Gbps✓ | 7 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 256 GB/s✓ | 224.3 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1070 | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP | 150 W | 145 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 2x 6-pin |
| Released | Jun 2016 | Sep 2014 |