GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 2070 comes out dramatically faster — about 200% ahead of the GeForce GTX 970. It also wins on performance-per-dollar, making it the cleaner choice when you can afford it.
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GeForce RTX 2070 vs GeForce GTX 970: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 2070 vs GeForce GTX 970
The GeForce RTX 2070 is dramatically faster, around 200% ahead of the GeForce GTX 970. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 2070 is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce GTX 970 is better matched to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 2070 packs 2,304 CUDA cores versus 1,664 on the GeForce GTX 970.
Price & Value
The GeForce RTX 2070 currently lists from $260 CAD, $40 CAD less than the GeForce GTX 970 at $300 CAD. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 2070 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 246%. The GeForce RTX 2070 is trading below its $499 CAD MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce GTX 970 is trading below its $329 CAD MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
On power, the GeForce GTX 970 is the gentler choice at 145W versus 175W. The GeForce RTX 2070 is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 175W draw means more heat and a bigger PSU. Its more modern Turing architecture on a TSMC 12nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 2070 carries 8GB versus 4GB on the GeForce GTX 970. The extra 4GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers. The GeForce RTX 2070's memory is also faster — 448 GB/s versus 224 GB/s — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 2070 is roughly 4 years newer than the GeForce GTX 970 (Turing vs Maxwell), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 970 or GeForce RTX 2070?
The GeForce RTX 2070 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.