NVIDIA RTX 3070 vs 3070 Ti

In this comparison, we will analyze the basic characteristics of the two graphics cards in the NVIDIA reference model, ie in the Founder Edition; However, you should keep in mind that in the market you will be able to find different variations of the different assemblers, each with different characteristics in terms of thermal and acoustic performance but also performance stupid, because they change the operating speeds with Factory Overclock. However, the chip and VRAM remain the same in all cases, which is why we have decided for the sake of having an accurate comparison to use the reference models for this.

RTX 3070 Ti vs 3070, technical specifications

As can be seen in the technical specs table that we have prepared to put the two graphics face to face, they both use the same GPU but the RTX 3070 Ti has a higher number of unlocked SMs so the number of Shader and TMU processors is also superior. Likewise, the Ti version has two RT cores and 8 additional Tensor cores, so its performance in ray tracing games should be slightly higher.

As for the operating speeds, we also find slight differences, as the Ti version is a bit faster as standard with 75 MHz more in base and 45 MHz more in Boost mode, so this added to the above. should mean better performance in all kinds of games regardless of their nature or resolution.

Now the biggest change is in memory as the RTX 3070 launched in September 2020 uses 8 GB of GDDR6 memory with 14 Gbps chips in effective speed, while the new Ti has 12 GB using GDDR6X chips that have a frequency of 19 Gbps effective, which results in a much higher bandwidth (the difference is notable, of more than 160 Gb / s); this should translate into better performance, especially at high res and in open world games that load large portions of the game’s map into memory.

Regarding the consumption of both GPUs, the RTX 3070 has a TDP of 220 watts and is powered by NVIDIA’s controversial 12-pin connector (typically 2 × 8-pin in custom graphics) while the Ti version boosts its TDP up to at 290 watts, even though it uses the same power connectors. This translates into considerably higher power consumption (the difference is 70 watts) and more heat generation, making those graphics “hotter” and noisier.

For the rest, in the Founders Edition models we have the exact same heatsink and with the same video outputs, so there isn’t much to say about it. Of course, the RTX 3070’s suggested retail price was $ 499 which was then translated to around 550 dollars, while the Ti model launched at a price of $ 599 translated to 650 dollars, but with the shortage crisis of chips at the end. we haven’t seen these reasonably priced GPUs in stores (and in some cases haven’t seen them at all).

The theory says there is a $ 100 difference between one GPU and another but, will it be worth paying for it? We will see him.

Differences in performance

Fortunately, both graphics cards went through our lab and we were able to show you our respective reviews of the two, so that we can provide you with first-hand performance data to see how they perform when push-pulling, in different games. and at different resolutions. Certainly, anyone who is considering investing the money that one of these GPUs costs will surely already have a high-end gaming PC that they won’t have bottlenecks with and will most likely be looking to play at rates of. High FPS and / or at high resolutions, in which the two graphs behave very well but as we can see which of the two is worth more, what interests us is to see the difference.

Let’s take Call of Duty: WarZone as an example of a game in Full HD resolution, of course with maximum graphics and using the DirectX 12 API but without activating Ray Tracing.

We see that the difference is barely 4 FPS between one graphic and the other in Full HD resolution, although it is true that the difference between the VRAM of the two GPUs is not too noticeable at this resolution, let’s see this same game and under the same conditions but at a resolution of 1440p.

Here we see that the difference is extended to 9 FPS, because as we have already commented, the difference between the VRAM of the two GPUs starts to be felt. Let’s see in 4K resolution what we find.

Here again the difference between the two graphs grows again, and we are already 12 FPS apart. Obviously the RTX 3070 Ti is better graphics, faster, with more SMs and more and better dedicated memory. Average FPS even at 4K resolution.

So, is it worth paying more for the jump in benefits?

Which graph is worth the most?

Obviously the RTX 3070 Ti is much better graphics than the RTX 3070 because it has a fuller chip, is faster, and has bigger and better VRAM, which is especially noticeable at high resolution. However, this performance improvement also comes at the cost of a higher consumption of 70W, more heat generation and noisier operation, factors that we obviously have to take into account.

The RTX 3070 Ti costs (in theory) 100 dollars more than the RTX 3070 and from our point of view the price difference is well justified by the huge improvement in dedicated memory, so of course if we were to recommend one of these two graphics cards for a gaming PC, we would definitely recommend the Ti version as it is significantly superior.

Now, if you care about consumption and temperature as well as noise and don’t need the extra performance it provides in high resolution, the RTX 3070 remains a safe bet to be able to have good performance in games, so of course it’s not a graph you should throw away and more if you’re on a budget.