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GeForce RTX 2070 vs GeForce RTX 4070

Quick Verdict

On raw speed the GeForce RTX 4070 comes out ahead: far and away the quicker card, about 147% ahead of the GeForce RTX 2070. That said, the GeForce RTX 2070 is the smarter buy on value — $540 CAD less for the performance on offer.

Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)

VS
NVIDIA GeForce
RTX 4070
Price
$1,170 CAD
Performance
37/100
VRAM
12 GB GDDR6X
Key Specs Advantage
+156% CUDA Cores (5,888 vs 2,304)
+53% Boost Clock (2,475 MHz vs 1,620 MHz)
+28% RT Cores (46 vs 36)

GeForce RTX 4070 vs GeForce RTX 2070: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce RTX 4070 vs GeForce RTX 2070

The GeForce RTX 4070 is dramatically faster, around 147% ahead of the GeForce RTX 2070. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 4070 is comfortable at 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 2070 is better matched to 1080p. The GeForce RTX 4070 packs 5,888 CUDA cores versus 2,304 on the GeForce RTX 2070.

Price & Value

The GeForce RTX 2070 currently lists from $260 CAD, $540 CAD less than the GeForce RTX 4070 at $800 CAD. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 2070 offers the better performance-per-dollar (~25% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 2070 is trading below its $499 CAD MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce RTX 4070 still sits about $200 CAD above its $600 CAD MSRP.

Power & Efficiency

On power, the GeForce RTX 2070 is the gentler choice at 175W versus 200W. The GeForce RTX 4070 is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 200W draw means more heat and a bigger PSU. Its more modern Ada Lovelace architecture on a TSMC N4 process is part of why it does more with each watt.

VRAM & Future-Proofing

VRAM favors the GeForce RTX 4070 at 12GB versus 8GB on the GeForce RTX 2070 — that extra 4GB matters most at 4K, with high-res texture packs, and for content-creation/local-AI work. The GeForce RTX 4070's memory is also faster — 504 GB/s versus 448 GB/s (192-bit vs 256-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.

Generation & Longevity

The GeForce RTX 4070 is roughly 5 years newer than the GeForce RTX 2070 (Ada Lovelace 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 4070?

Choose the GeForce RTX 4070 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 4070 better than the GeForce RTX 2070?

The GeForce RTX 4070 is dramatically faster, roughly 147% ahead. The GeForce RTX 2070 is still worth it if value matters more than top-end frames.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 2070 or the GeForce RTX 4070?

Neither is a dedicated 4K card; both are best at 1440p. For 4K you'd want a faster GPU, or lean on upscaling.

Is the GeForce RTX 4070 worth the extra $540 CAD over the GeForce RTX 2070?

Only if you need the extra performance or features; on pure value the GeForce RTX 2070 comes out ahead.

Does the GeForce RTX 4070 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?

Its 12GB (vs 8GB) gives real headroom for 4K, heavy texture mods, and creative/AI work. At 1080p the gap matters less.

Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 2070 or GeForce RTX 4070?

Choose the GeForce RTX 4070 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.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

Architecture & Cores specifications comparison between GeForce RTX 2070 and GeForce RTX 4070
SpecificationGeForce RTX 2070GeForce RTX 4070
ArchitectureTuringAda Lovelace
Process NodeTSMC 12nmTSMC N4
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores)2,3045,888
Ray Tracing Cores3646
Tensor / AI Cores288184

Clock Speeds

Clock Speeds specifications comparison between GeForce RTX 2070 and GeForce RTX 4070
SpecificationGeForce RTX 2070GeForce RTX 4070
Base Clock1,410 MHz1,920 MHz
Boost Clock1,620 MHz2,475 MHz

Memory

Memory specifications comparison between GeForce RTX 2070 and GeForce RTX 4070
SpecificationGeForce RTX 2070GeForce RTX 4070
VRAM Capacity8 GB12 GB
Memory TypeGDDR6GDDR6X
Memory Bus256-bit192-bit
Memory Speed14 Gbps21 Gbps
Bandwidth448 GB/s504 GB/s

Connectivity & Power

Connectivity & Power specifications comparison between GeForce RTX 2070 and GeForce RTX 4070
SpecificationGeForce RTX 2070GeForce RTX 4070
InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 4.0 x16
TDP175 W200 W
Power Connectors1x 8-pin1x 16-pin
ReleasedOct 2018Apr 2023