GeForce GTX 1070 vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Neither the GeForce GTX 1070 nor the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB pulls ahead in performance; treat them as equals on speed. It also comes out ahead on value, making it the straightforward pick if the price fits your budget.
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GeForce GTX 1070 vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX 1070 vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
The GeForce GTX 1070 and GeForce RTX 3050 8GB post nearly the same score in our performance index, so neither holds a meaningful raw-speed advantage. Both are best suited to entry-level 1080p gaming.
Price & Value
On price, expect to pay $109 USD for the GeForce GTX 1070 versus $140 USD for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce GTX 1070 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 28%. The GeForce GTX 1070 is trading below its $379 USD MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is trading below its $249 USD MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB draws just 130W versus 150W for the GeForce GTX 1070, and it also delivers more performance per watt — so it runs cooler and quieter and needs less PSU headroom. Its more modern Ampere architecture on a Samsung 8nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
Memory & Bandwidth
The GeForce GTX 1070's memory is 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 8GB 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 8GB?
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 8GB if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce GTX 1070 better than the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1070 or the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB worth the extra $31 USD over the GeForce GTX 1070?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1070 or GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1070 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,506 MHz | 1,552 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,683 MHz | 1,777 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1070 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 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 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |