Key Points
Our choice for the #1 Best Overall upgrade from the GTX 1070 Ti is the GeForce RTX 4090 because it delivers the largest performance increase and it's the best graphics card on the market. With a new graphics card, you can enjoy next-gen features such as DLSS, ray tracing, and high frame rates. When upgrading, you want to factor in price, performance, and compatibility with your setup.
If you're looking to upgrade from an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti, you came to the right place. The GTX 1070 Ti was one of the best graphics cards in 2017, just below the GTX 1080. However, with new cards every year, there are many options to consider. This article makes it easy to find the best value upgrade.
Since the GTX 1070 Ti is from 2017, practically any card from 2020+ will be a major upgrade. While the 1070 Ti runs many games well, it lacks features like DLSS, ray tracing and struggles on demanding new titles. Let's explore some great options:
History Computer's Top Picks for GTX 1070 Ti Upgrades
Best Overall: NVIDIA RTX 4090
The RTX 4090 is the most powerful graphics card available, perfect for 4K gaming. Key specs:
- 24 GB GDDR6X VRAM
- 16,384 CUDA cores
- 2.52 GHz boost clock
- Up to 2x performance over previous generation
It blows away the GTX 1070 Ti. The 1070 Ti gets ~50 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p high settings. The 4090 delivers over 100 fps with maxed settings at 4K resolution using DLSS. It's overkill for most, but if you want the absolute best, look no further.
Pros:
- Most powerful gpu ever
- Easily handles 4K gaming
Cons:
- Very expensive
- High power consumption
Runner-Up: NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti
The RTX 4070 Ti strikes a nice balance of great 1440p/4K performance with a reasonable price. Key details:
- 12 GB GDDR6X VRAM
- 7,680 CUDA cores
- Up to 2.61 GHz boost clock
It provides a massive upgrade over the 1070 Ti. In Red Dead Redemption 2 at 1080p highest settings, the 1070 Ti manages 50 fps while the 4070 Ti achieves 170 fps, over 3x better! Ideal for high-refresh rate 1440p gaming.
Pros:
- Great for 1440p and 4K gaming
- Latest NVIDIA technologies
Cons:
- Only 1 HDMI port
- Expensive vs. last generation
Best Mid-Range: NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti
The RTX 3070 Ti delivers excellent 1080p/1440p performance with modern features at a reasonable price. Specs:
- 8 GB GDDR6X VRAM
- 6,144 CUDA cores
- 1.77 GHz boost clock
It‘s a major upgrade over the 1070 Ti. In Horizon Forbidden West at 1080p ultra, the 3070 Ti achieves 88 fps vs just 32 fps on the 1070 Ti. The 3070 Ti supports DLSS and ray tracing too. Only downside is 8 GB VRAM may limit future proofing.
Pros:
- Great 1080p/1440p performance
- DLSS & ray tracing support
Cons:
- Only 8 GB VRAM
- Not a giant leap over RTX 3070
Best AMD for 1440p: Radeon RX 6750 XT
The RX 6750 XT goes toe-to-toe with the RTX 3070 Ti for less money. Details:
- 12 GB GDDR6 VRAM
- 2,560 stream processors
- Up to 2,600 MHz boost clock
It offers way better performance than the aging 1070 Ti. In Red Dead 2 at 1080p max settings, the 1070 Ti gets 50 fps while the 6750 XT manages 90 fps. The extra VRAM gives it an edge for the future. Downsides are no DLSS support and poor ray tracing performance.
Pros:
- 12 GB VRAM
- Great 1440p gaming performance
Cons:
- Minimal uplift over 6700 XT
- Lacks DLSS support
Best Budget: NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti
The RTX 3060 Ti delivers an excellent balance of price and 1080p gaming performance. Specifications:
- 8 GB GDDR6 VRAM
- 4,864 CUDA cores
- 1.67 GHz boost clock
It handily beats the 1070 Ti. For example, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p Ultra, the 3060 Ti averages 88 fps versus just 32 fps on the 1070 Ti. It also supports DLSS. For budget 1080p gaming, the 3060 Ti is a superb choice.
Pros:
- Great 1080p performance
- DLSS supported
Cons:
- Only 8 GB VRAM
- No ray tracing support
Best Budget AMD: Radeon RX 6600 XT
If your budget is tight, the RX 6600 XT offers strong 1080p performance for under $250. Key specs:
- 8 GB GDDR6 memory
- 2,048 stream processors
- Up to 2.35 GHz boost
It leaves the 1070 Ti in the dust. In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p High, the 1070 Ti crawls along at 50 fps while the 6600 XT manages a smooth 66 fps. It even adds basic ray tracing support. Just don‘t expect great 1440p performance.
Pros:
- Excellent 1080p gaming
- Good price-to-performance
Cons:
- Lacks support beyond PCIe 4.0 x8
- No advanced upscaling tech
Best Entry-Level: Intel ARC 750
Intel‘s ARC 750 is an underrated budget card offering nice 1080p gaming performance with ray tracing support. Key details:
- Up to 16 GB GDDR6 memory
- Up to 2.05 GHz boost clock
- Xe-HPG architecture
In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p High, it averaged 66 fps topping the 1070 Ti‘s 50 fps result. Just watch out for spotty driver optimization on older games. But for the price, it gives nice performance.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Competitive 1080p gaming
Cons:
- Driver optimization still maturing
- No DLSS equivalent
How to Pick the Best GTX 1070 Ti Upgrade
When selecting a new graphics card, consider these factors:
Price – Get a GPU that balances performance and cost for your needs. The RTX 4090 is overkill for many.
Performance – Make sure any upgrade delivers clear gains over your 1070 Ti at your target resolution.
Compatibility – Watch for potential component bottlenecks and make sure your PC supports the new card.
What to Know Before Upgrading from GTX 1070 Ti
When upgrading, keep these considerations in mind:
Your older CPU may bottleneck performance. If you still have a 4th gen Intel Core processor, it's worth upgrading that too.
You need sufficient power supply capacity for the latest GPUs. Plan on a 750W+ unit for high-end cards.
Your motherboard must have appropriate PCIe support. Most modern boards include PCIe 4.0 compatibility for new GPUs.
Upgrading optional components like CPUs and motherboards often makes sense if making a major GPU upgrade.
Experience with Upgraded GTX 1070 Ti Card
Compared to your 1070 Ti, an upgraded card like the RTX 3070 Ti or RX 6750 XT will transform your gaming experience:
- Enjoy 50-100% higher frame rates for super smooth gaming
- Max graphics settings without compromise
- Support for cutting-edge features like ray tracing and DLSS
- High resolution support beyond 1080p gaming
Upgrading form the stalwart 1070 Ti is an exciting way to modernize your PC and restore that feeling of having an exceptional cutting edge GPU.
Summary Table: Best GTX 1070 Ti Upgrades
| Rank | Graphics Card |
| 1 | NVIDIA RTX 4090 |
| 2 | NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti |
| 3 | NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti |
| 4 | AMD RX 6750 XT |
| 5 | NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti |
| 6 | AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT |
| 7 | Intel ARC 750 |
Upgrading your GPU is an exciting way to boost your PC‘s gaming performance. Hopefully this guide gives you all the details needed to select the perfect upgrade from your reliable old NVIDIA GTX 1070 Ti. Feel free to reach out with any other questions!
