GeForce RTX 4070 vs GeForce RTX 5080
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 5080 comes out ahead: far and away the quicker card, about 81% ahead of the GeForce RTX 4070. Best performance and best value in one card here — the clear recommendation if you can afford it.
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GeForce RTX 5080 vs GeForce RTX 4070: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 5080 vs GeForce RTX 4070
The GeForce RTX 5080 is dramatically faster, around 81% ahead of the GeForce RTX 4070. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 5080 is comfortable at 4K and high-refresh 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 4070 is better matched to 1440p. The GeForce RTX 5080 packs 10,752 CUDA cores versus 5,888 on the GeForce RTX 4070.
Price & Value
The GeForce RTX 4070 currently lists from $990 EUR, $362 EUR less than the GeForce RTX 5080 at $1,352 EUR. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 5080 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 33%. The GeForce RTX 4070 still sits about $390 EUR above its $600 EUR MSRP. The GeForce RTX 5080 still sits about $353 EUR above its $999 EUR MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
On power, the GeForce RTX 4070 is the gentler choice at 200W versus 360W. The GeForce RTX 5080 is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 360W draw means more heat and a bigger PSU. Its more modern Blackwell architecture on a TSMC 4N process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
VRAM favors the GeForce RTX 5080 at 16GB versus 12GB on the GeForce RTX 4070 — that extra 4GB matters most at 4K, with high-res texture packs, and for content-creation/local-AI work. The GeForce RTX 5080's memory is also faster — 960 GB/s versus 504 GB/s (256-bit vs 192-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 5080 is roughly 2 years newer than the GeForce RTX 4070 (Blackwell vs Ada Lovelace), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 4070 or GeForce RTX 5080?
The GeForce RTX 5080 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 RTX 4070 if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 5080 better than the GeForce RTX 4070?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 4070 or the GeForce RTX 5080?
Is the GeForce RTX 5080 worth the extra $362 EUR over the GeForce RTX 4070?
Does the GeForce RTX 5080 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 4070 or GeForce RTX 5080?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Blackwell |
| Process Node | TSMC N4 | TSMC 4N |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 5,888 | 10,752✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 46 | 84✓ |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 184 | 336✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,920 MHz | 2,295 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 2,475 MHz | 2,617 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB | 16 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR7 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 256-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 21 Gbps | 30 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 504 GB/s | 960 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
| TDP | 200 W✓ | 360 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 16-pin | 1x 16-pin |
| Released | Apr 2023 | Jan 2025 |
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