GeForce RTX 2070 vs GeForce RTX 3070
The GeForce RTX 3070 is a massive performance leap — leading the GeForce RTX 2070 by roughly 80% in our performance index. The GeForce RTX 2070, however, delivers more performance per dollar — $220 CAD cheaper.
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GeForce RTX 3070 vs GeForce RTX 2070: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3070 vs GeForce RTX 2070
The GeForce RTX 3070 is dramatically faster, around 80% ahead of the GeForce RTX 2070. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3070 is comfortable at 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 2070 is better matched to 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3070 packs 5,888 CUDA cores versus 2,304 on the GeForce RTX 2070.
Price & Value
On price, expect to pay $260 CAD for the GeForce RTX 2070 versus $480 CAD for the GeForce RTX 3070. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 2070 offers the better performance-per-dollar, so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 2070 is trading below its $499 CAD MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 2070 pulls less power (175W vs 220W), so it's the easier card to cool and the lighter load on your PSU. The faster GeForce RTX 3070 draws more overall but extracts more performance from each watt — plan for a sturdier power supply if you pick it. Its more modern Ampere architecture on a Samsung 8nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3070 is roughly 2 years newer than the GeForce RTX 2070 (Ampere vs Turing), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 2070 or GeForce RTX 3070?
Choose the GeForce RTX 3070 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 2070 stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3070 better than the GeForce RTX 2070?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 2070 or the GeForce RTX 3070?
Is the GeForce RTX 3070 worth the extra $220 CAD over the GeForce RTX 2070?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 2070 or GeForce RTX 3070?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2070 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 12nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,304 | 5,888✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 36 | 46✓ |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 288✓ | 184 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2070 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,410 MHz | 1,500 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,620 MHz | 1,725 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2070 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| Memory Speed | 14 Gbps | 14 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 448 GB/s | 448 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2070 | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 175 W✓ | 220 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 12-pin |
| Released | Oct 2018 | Sep 2020 |