GeForce GTX 1070 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Performance-wise the GeForce GTX 1070 is out front, noticeably faster, roughly 10% up on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. It is also the stronger value pick here, so it's the easy recommendation if your budget allows.
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GeForce GTX 1070 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX 1070 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
The GeForce GTX 1070 is noticeably faster, around 10% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce GTX 1070 starts at $109 USD against $150 USD for the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce GTX 1070 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 51%. The GeForce GTX 1070 is trading below its $379 USD MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB sips power at 130W next to the GeForce GTX 1070's 150W, and still leads on performance-per-watt — quieter, cooler, and gentler on your PSU. Its more modern Ampere architecture on a Samsung 8nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce GTX 1070's 8GB (vs 6GB on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) gives it more room for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative or AI workloads. The GeForce GTX 1070's memory is also faster — 256 GB/s versus 224 GB/s (256-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is roughly 6 years newer than the GeForce GTX 1070 (Ampere vs Pascal), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1070 or GeForce RTX 3050 6GB?
The GeForce GTX 1070 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 3050 6GB if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce GTX 1070 better than the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1070 or the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB worth the extra $41 USD over the GeForce GTX 1070?
Does the GeForce GTX 1070 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1070 or GeForce RTX 3050 6GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1070 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Pascal | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 16nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 1,920 | 2,560✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 20 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 80 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1070 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,506 MHz | 1,552 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,683 MHz | 1,777 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1070 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB✓ | 6 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit✓ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 8 Gbps | 14 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 256 GB/s✓ | 224 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1070 | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x8 |
| TDP | 150 W | 130 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Jun 2016 | Jan 2022 |