GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 4070
Performance-wise the GeForce RTX 3090 is out front, marginally faster, roughly 5% up on the GeForce RTX 4070. Value tips toward the GeForce RTX 4070, though: $1,033 EUR cheaper for what you get.
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GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 4070: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 4070
The GeForce RTX 3090 is marginally faster, around 5% ahead of the GeForce RTX 4070. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to 1440p. The GeForce RTX 3090 packs 10,496 CUDA cores versus 5,888 on the GeForce RTX 4070.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce RTX 4070 starts at $957 EUR against $1,990 EUR for the GeForce RTX 3090. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 4070 offers the better performance-per-dollar (~97% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 4070 still sits about $357 EUR above its $600 EUR MSRP. The GeForce RTX 3090 still sits about $491 EUR above its $1,499 EUR MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 4070 sips power at 200W next to the GeForce RTX 3090's 350W, and still leads on performance-per-watt — quieter, cooler, and gentler on your 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
The GeForce RTX 3090's 24GB (vs 12GB on the GeForce RTX 4070) gives it more room for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative or AI workloads. The GeForce RTX 3090's memory is also faster — 936 GB/s versus 504 GB/s (384-bit vs 192-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 4070 is roughly 3 years newer than the GeForce RTX 3090 (Ada Lovelace vs Ampere), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3090 or GeForce RTX 4070?
Choose the GeForce RTX 3090 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 4070 stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3090 better than the GeForce RTX 4070?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3090 or the GeForce RTX 4070?
Is the GeForce RTX 3090 worth the extra $1,033 EUR over the GeForce RTX 4070?
Does the GeForce RTX 3090 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3090 or GeForce RTX 4070?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3090 | GeForce RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | TSMC N4 |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 10,496✓ | 5,888 |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 82✓ | 46 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 328✓ | 184 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3090 | GeForce RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,395 MHz | 1,920 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,695 MHz | 2,475 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3090 | GeForce RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 24 GB✓ | 12 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 384-bit✓ | 192-bit |
| Memory Speed | 19.5 Gbps | 21 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 936 GB/s✓ | 504 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3090 | GeForce RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 350 W | 200 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 1x 12-pin | 1x 16-pin |
| Released | Sep 2020 | Apr 2023 |
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