As a tech enthusiast and GPU specialist, I’m often asked which graphics card offers the best bang for your buck. Two popular options gamers and creators consider are the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 and RTX 3060. But with nearly a half decade between releases, these GPUs pack vastly different performance and features.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll compare the Nvidia GTX 1070 and RTX 3060 head-to-head across a range global of metrics. You’ll get a complete picture of where each excels to help decide which (if either) is right for your needs.
Overview of Pascal vs Turing vs Ampere
First, it’s essential to understand the underlying GPU architectures that power these cards:
Nvidia GTX 1070 – Built on Nvidia’s Pascal architecture launched in 2016. This focused on power efficiency and performance via the 16nm manufacturing process.
Nvidia RTX 3060 – Built on Nvidia’s Ampere architecture launched in late 2020. This enhanced performance further through 8nm manufacturing. And added dedicated ray tracing and AI accelerators not found in Pascal.
Ampere also optimized the streaming multiprocessor (SM) layout compared to previous Turing GPUs. This let Nvidia add nearly twice as many CUDA cores within the RTX 3060 despite having a lower transistor count versus the 1070.
GTX 1070 vs RTX 3060 Spec Comparison
Here’s a look at how the two graphics cards stack up across some key specifications:
| Specification | Nvidia GTX 1070 | Nvidia RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| GPU Architecture | Pascal | Ampere |
| Manufacturing Process | 16nm FinFET | Samsung 8nm |
| SM Count | 15 | 28 |
| CUDA Cores | 1920 | 3584 |
| RT Cores | N/A | 28 |
| Tensor Cores | N/A | 112 |
| Texture Units | 120 | 112 |
| ROPS | 64 | 48 |
| GPU Base/Boost Clock | 1506MHz / 1683MHz | 1320MHz / 1777MHz |
| Memory Capacity | 8GB GDDR5 | 12GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus Width | 256-bit | 192-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 256GB/s | 360GB/s |
| TDP | 150 watts | 170 watts |
As you can see, while the 1070 exceeds the newer 3060 in a few specific areas like texture units and ROPS, the 3060 wins out in the overall computational performance that matters most for gaming, creative workloads, and applications like machine learning.
The RTX 3060 shows over 85% more CUDA cores, paired with vastly improved memory bandwidth and capacity. This gives it the performance edge in real-world usage as we’ll explore next.
Benchmark Performance Comparison
Raw specifications only reveal part of the story though. Let’s see how these discrete GPUs actually perform when benchmarked in popular games and workloads:
1080p Gaming Performance
At 1080p resolution, the 3060 shows between a 15-35% performance advantage in AAA game titles:
Credits: Tom‘s Hardware GPU Benchmarks
While still suitable for 1080p in 2022, the 6 year old 1070 definitely shows its age in modern games. Upgrading to the 3060 nets you substantially faster framerates, even at this mainstream resolution.
Based on these benchmarks, the 3060 can provide a much smoother gaming experience hitting beyond 60 FPS more consistently in the latest releases.
1440p Gaming Performance
Cranking up to 1440p shifts more of the workload to the GPU. And the gap between the two cards widens further as a result:
Credits: TechSpot GPU Benchmarks
You’re looking at a 45-60% performance uplift with the 3060 here. It achieves well over 60 FPS across the board, where the 1070 dips into the 40s on more intensive games.
So while the 1070 is still viable, the 3060 offers substantially better frame rates for smoother high resolution gameplay. This makes it the superior choice if gaming is your priority.
Based on these tests, the 3060 can tackle 1440p gaming with ease while providing gameplay enhancements through DLSS and ray tracing where implemented. The 1070 on the other hand may struggle to maintain 60 FPS on maxed settings.
4K Gaming Performance
Pushing these GPUs to their limits at 4K resolution shows the biggest gap so far:
Credits: Tom‘s Hardware GPU Benchmarks
Here the 3060 shows a commanding 50-70% lead in average and even 1% low frame rates. It still manages to hover around 60 FPS, while the 1070 drops into the 30s.
Clearly the 1070 wasn’t built for modern 4K gaming. But the Ampere-powered 3060 can still provide relatively smooth performance if you ease back settings slightly.
If ultra HD gaming is your goal, the value choice here for entry-level 4K is undoubtedly the RTX 3060.
Power Efficiency Comparison
Gaming laptop users should also consider the power efficiency difference between these GPUs.
With a rated TDP of 150W on the Nvidia GTX 1070 versus 170W on the RTX 3060, the 3060 does draw more total board power. However, when comparing performance per watt, the newer Ampere card achieves substantially better efficiency:
Credits: TechPowerUp GPU Database
The 3060’s Ampere architecture and smaller 8nm transistors push it over 40% higher in effective speed per watt.
This means that while the 3060 components draw more peak power, they deliver drastically improved frame rates. Ultimately yielding longer battery life during actual real-world usage.
For laptop gamers, this makes the 3060 a much better pairing than the last-gen 1070.
AI/Creative Workloads
For creative professionals, the RTX 3060 also provides a nice advantage from its dedicated processing cores:
Tensor Cores – accelerate AI tasks like video upscaling through DLSS. Helpful for rendering and editing workflows.
RT Cores – specialized ray tracing cores enable advanced effects in applications like Blender and Unreal Engine.
These provide tangible benefits unavailable in the older 1070. Particularly in creative fields that leverage AI to enhance workflows.
The 3060‘s 12GB frame buffer also offers more headroom for editing high resolution video or loading large production assets.
Cost Comparison
In terms of upfront cost, the RTX 3060 does command a moderate price premium:
- GTX 1070 – Used pricing around ~$200
- RTX 3060 – New pricing around $300
However when you factor in the substantial performance gains across gaming and professional use cases, the 3060 delivers vastly better value per dollar spent.
Especially considering it‘s 50-70% faster despite only a ~50% higher price tag. Not to mention access to modern features like DLSS, reflex, and ray tracing.
For budget-focused buyers, going used can make the 1070 tempting. But the 3060‘s improved efficiency, speed, and future-proofing make it a smarter long-term investment for just $100 more.
The Verdict
So which is better between Nvidia‘s GTX 1070 and newer RTX 3060? There‘s no universal answer – it ultimately depends on your priorities:
Nvidia GTX 1070 – still capable for 1080p gaming on a budget. Just don‘t expect to max the latest titles.
Nvidia RTX 3060 – faster speeds + new features. Excellent value for 1440p and entry 4K gaming. Plus AI/creative applications.
In a nutshell:
- The 1070 is fine for smooth 1080p gameplay on medium settings
- The 3060 delivers better framerates and fidelity on high/ultra up through 1440p and 4K
If you want the best visuals on modern games, I‘d recommend an upgrade. DLSS and RT also further boost image quality on supported titles. Making the 3060 a better long term option if you can swing the price difference.
But you can always share your current setup and needs in the comments below for a more personalized recommendation!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RTX 3060 overkill for 1080p gaming?
Not necessarily. While both GPUs hit 60+ FPS for smooth gameplay, the 3060 gives you room to turn settings higher with increased fidelity. This includes enhanced lighting and post-processing effects.
It also keeps minimum frame rates higher for reduced stuttering in demanding scenes. Ultimately the 3060 provides a better overall 1080p experience.
Can you use ray tracing on the GTX 1070?
Unfortunately no. Dedicated RT cores found in Nvidia‘s RTX models are required to accelerate ray tracing workloads efficiently for real-time graphics and gaming.
The 1070 can benefit from basic screen space reflections. But true ray-traced effects require RTX hardware support.
Which GPU stays cooler?
Out the box, the RTX 3060 does run hotter with its 170W TDP over the GTX 1070‘s 150W power budget. However improved cooling solutions on modern aftermarket cards help mitigate higher temps.
Undervolting can also boost efficiency if thermals become problematic. This reduces power draw while sacrificing minimal performance.
In the end both stay relatively cool with decent case airflow and fans curves. Just ensure your case and PSU can meet the 3060‘s170W target if upgrading.
The Bottom Line
When comparing the Nvidia GTX 1070 vs RTX 3060 head-to-head, the 3060 wins out substantially in performance and efficiency. Architecture advances deliver markedly faster speeds across 1080p through 4K gaming. Plus added acceleration for ray tracing, DLSS and AI workflows.
The 3060 does cost moderately more. But its 50-70% gaming gains and future-proofing justify the premium over a used 1070 in 2022. Making this newest 60-class card better suited for modern titles on high fidelity settings.
Let me know which GPU you ended up going with and why below! I‘m happy to provide any other specifics in the comments.
