GPU Comparison

Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.

Quick Verdict

The GeForce RTX 4070 is dramatically faster than the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB, leading by roughly 236% in our performance index. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB, however, delivers more performance per dollar — $865 GBP cheaper.

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

VS
NVIDIA
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Price
£180
Performance
11%
VRAM
8 GB GDDR6
Key Specs Advantage

Comparable or lower specs

Price
£1,045
Performance
37%
VRAM
12 GB GDDR6X
Key Specs Advantage
+130% CUDA Cores (5,888 vs 2,560)
+130% RT Cores (46 vs 20)
+130% Tensor Cores (184 vs 80)

GeForce RTX 4070 vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce RTX 4070 vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

The GeForce RTX 4070 is dramatically faster, around 236% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 4070 is comfortable at 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is better matched to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 4070 packs 5,888 CUDA cores versus 2,560 on the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB.

Price & Value

Right now the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB starts at $180 GBP against $1,045 GBP for the GeForce RTX 4070. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers the better performance-per-dollar (~73% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is trading below its $249 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce RTX 4070 still sits about $445 GBP above its $600 GBP MSRP.

Power & Efficiency

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB pulls less power (130W vs 200W), so it's the easier card to cool and the lighter load on your PSU. The faster GeForce RTX 4070 draws more overall but extracts more performance from each watt — plan for a sturdier power supply if you pick it. Its more modern Ada Lovelace architecture on a TSMC N4 process is part of why it does more with each watt.

VRAM & Future-Proofing

With 12GB against 8GB, the GeForce RTX 4070 has more headroom for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative/AI tasks where the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB's 8GB can fall short. The GeForce RTX 4070's memory is also faster — 504 GB/s versus 224 GB/s (192-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.

Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3050 8GB 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 3050 8GB stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeForce RTX 4070 better than the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?

The GeForce RTX 4070 is dramatically faster, roughly 236% ahead. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is still worth it if value matters more than top-end frames.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB 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 $865 GBP over the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?

Only if you need the extra performance or features; on pure value the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB 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.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

SpecificationGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce RTX 4070
ArchitectureAmpereAda Lovelace
Process NodeSamsung 8nmTSMC N4
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores)2,5605,888
Ray Tracing Cores2046
Tensor / AI Cores80184

Clock Speeds

SpecificationGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce RTX 4070
Base Clock1,552 MHz1,920 MHz
Boost Clock1,777 MHz2,475 MHz

Memory

SpecificationGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce RTX 4070
VRAM Capacity8 GB12 GB
Memory TypeGDDR6GDDR6X
Memory Bus128-bit192-bit
Memory Speed14 Gbps21 Gbps
Bandwidth224 GB/s504 GB/s

Connectivity & Power

SpecificationGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce RTX 4070
InterfacePCIe 4.0 x8PCIe 4.0 x16
TDP130 W200 W
Power Connectors1x 8-pin1x 16-pin
ReleasedJan 2022Apr 2023