GeForce RTX 4070 vs GeForce RTX 4080
Performance-wise the GeForce RTX 4080 is out front, dramatically faster, roughly 49% up on the GeForce RTX 4070. Value tips toward the GeForce RTX 4070, though: $339 EUR cheaper for what you get.
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GeForce RTX 4080 vs GeForce RTX 4070: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 4080 vs GeForce RTX 4070
The GeForce RTX 4080 is dramatically faster, around 49% ahead of the GeForce RTX 4070. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 4080 is comfortable at 4K with upscaling and native 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 4070 is better matched to 1440p. The GeForce RTX 4080 packs 9,728 CUDA cores versus 5,888 on the GeForce RTX 4070. The GeForce RTX 4080 also has more RT cores (76 vs 46) and more AI cores (304 vs 184), strengthening its ray-tracing and AI-upscaling performance.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce RTX 4070 starts at $661 EUR against $1,000 EUR for the GeForce RTX 4080. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 4070 offers the better performance-per-dollar, so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 4080 is trading below its $1,199 EUR MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 4070 sips power at 200W next to the GeForce RTX 4080's 320W, and still leads on performance-per-watt — quieter, cooler, and gentler on your PSU.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 4080's 16GB (vs 12GB on the GeForce RTX 4070) gives it more room for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative or AI workloads. The GeForce RTX 4080's memory is also faster — 717 GB/s versus 504 GB/s (256-bit vs 192-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 4070 or GeForce RTX 4080?
Choose the GeForce RTX 4080 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 4080 better than the GeForce RTX 4070?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 4070 or the GeForce RTX 4080?
Is the GeForce RTX 4080 worth the extra $339 EUR over the GeForce RTX 4070?
Does the GeForce RTX 4080 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which is better for ray tracing, the GeForce RTX 4080 or the GeForce RTX 4070?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 4070 or GeForce RTX 4080?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | TSMC N4 | TSMC 4N |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 5,888 | 9,728✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 46 | 76✓ |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 184 | 304✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,920 MHz | 2,205 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 2,475 MHz | 2,505 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB | 16 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 256-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 21 Gbps | 22.4 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 504 GB/s | 716.8 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 4070 | GeForce RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 200 W✓ | 320 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 16-pin | 1x 16-pin |
| Released | Apr 2023 | Sep 2022 |
Related Reading
Is a Used RTX 4070 Still Worth Buying? A Secondary-Market Guide
Two generations on, the RTX 4070 has become a used-market staple rather than a new purchase. Here's what it still does well, what 12GB costs you, and exactly what to check before buying one secondhand.
Used RTX 4080 vs New RTX 5070 Ti: Which 16GB Card Should You Buy?
Two 16GB cards, two very different propositions: raw Ada rasterization with used-market risk, or a newer feature set and a warranty. Here's the decision, spec by spec.