RTX 2070 vs RTX 3060 Ti
The RTX 2070 and the RTX 3060 Ti sit side by side in the same lineup, built on a shared foundation but aimed at slightly different buyers. Here the verdict on paper is fairly clear. The RTX 3060 Ti takes 1 of 3 areas against the RTX 2070, starting with gpu & performance. One more thing to weigh: a launch price difference of $100, with the RTX 3060 Ti as the lower-priced option.
At a glance
- GPU & Performance RTX 3060 Ti wins
- Memory Tie
- Power & Thermals RTX 2070 wins
- Price RTX 3060 Ti wins
- GPU & Performance0.5
- Memory3.1
- Power & Thermals7.7
- GPU & Performance3.8
- Memory3.1
- Power & Thermals5.4
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The RTX 3060 Ti has 116% more theoretical FP32 compute
Not a close call. The RTX 3060 Ti lists 16.2 TFLOPS and the RTX 2070 lists 7.5 TFLOPS. That’s a substantial gap. The RTX 3060 Ti has more theoretical compute, which often, but not always, translates into higher frame rates.
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The RTX 3060 Ti has 111% more shader units
Among all the differences on this page, 4,864 against 2,304 is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the RTX 3060 Ti. Treat shader count as a strong hint about performance tier, then check benchmarks for the games you actually play.
-
The RTX 2070 has 25 W lower board power
The RTX 2070 gets a small bonus on total board power, with 175 W against the RTX 3060 Ti’s 200 W. Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RTX 3060 Ti’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed.
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The RTX 3060 Ti has 5.6% more ray tracing units
Small gaps can still matter over time, and here the RTX 3060 Ti leads 38 to 36. Ray tracing units differ between generations and brands, so the count matters most within the same family.
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The RTX 2070 has a smaller 550 W PSU requirement
The difference is minor (550 W against 600 W), but if you’re splitting hairs, the RTX 2070 wins it. The recommended power supply tells you whether your current PSU can handle the card without an upgrade.
Design & Size
- RTX 2070 9.02 in × 2 slots
- RTX 3060 Ti 9.53 in × 2 slots
If compact matters to you, the RTX 2070 is the one to look at. The RTX 3060 Ti is physically larger all round.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 2070 | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 9.02 in | 9.53 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | N/A (not specified) | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
GPU & Performance
RTX 3060 Ti leads
The RTX 3060 Ti clearly takes the gpu & performance round. The RTX 3060 Ti answers with 116% more theoretical FP32 compute. Architectures use their compute differently, so treat the gap as a guide and look at game benchmarks for the details. If this section decides it for you, choose the RTX 3060 Ti.
FP32 compute
RTX 2070: 7.5 TFLOPS RTX 3060 Ti: 16.2 TFLOPS FP32 compute is a theoretical peak that combines shader count and clock speed, a quick way to size up raw power.
Shader units
RTX 2070: 2,304 RTX 3060 Ti: 4,864 The RTX 3060 Ti’s extra shaders give it more raw muscle, although comparisons across different architectures aren’t one-to-one.
Memory
Too close to call
In the memory category, the RTX 2070 and the RTX 3060 Ti land in almost the same place. Don’t let memory decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Features
The features data here comes as names and types, not scores. Check the table to see what each one uses.
Power & Thermals
RTX 2070 leads
On power & thermals, the RTX 2070 comes out slightly ahead. Here the RTX 2070 offers 25 W lower board power. The RTX 2070 draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases. If power & thermals is your priority, the RTX 2070 is the card to pick.
Total board power
RTX 2070: 175 W RTX 3060 Ti: 200 W Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill.
Recommended PSU
RTX 2070: 550 W RTX 3060 Ti: 600 W Recommendations include a safety margin for the rest of the system, so they’re a guide rather than a hard limit.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RTX 2070 | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| GPU die | TU106 | GA104 |
| Process | TSMC 12nm FFN | Samsung 8N |
| Shader units | 2,304 | 4,864 (winner) |
| Ray tracing units | 36 | 38 (winner) |
| Base clock | 1,410 MHz | 1,410 MHz |
| Boost clock | 1,620 MHz Lowest boost clock | 1,665 MHz |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 7.5 TFLOPS Least compute in class | 16.2 TFLOPS (winner) |
Memory
| Spec | RTX 2070 | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory bus | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 448 GB/s | 448 GB/s |
Features
| Spec | RTX 2070 | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | DLSS Super Resolution | DLSS Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | No DLSS Frame Generation | No DLSS Frame Generation |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RTX 2070 | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 175 W (winner) | 200 W |
| Recommended PSU | 550 W (winner) | 600 W |
| Power connector | 1x 8-pin | 1x 12-pin |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 2070 | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 9.02 in | 9.53 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | N/A (not specified) | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
Price
| Spec | RTX 2070 | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $499 | $399 (winner) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
In launch price, the RTX 3060 Ti is the clear budget pick, coming in $100 (25%) below the RTX 2070. The RTX 3060 Ti delivers more for less: $100 less, to be exact.
These are US launch prices, recorded December 2020; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RTX 2070 if…
- you want lower power draw and less heat (175 W vs 200 W board power)
- you’re building on a modest power supply (550 W vs 600 W)
- you don’t need what the newer model adds
Choose the RTX 3060 Ti if…
- you want more theoretical compute (16.2 TFLOPS vs 7.5 TFLOPS)
- you want more shader units working on every frame (4,864 vs 2,304)
- you play with ray tracing switched on (38 vs 36 RT units)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $100 matters
- you want the changes the RTX 3060 Ti brings over its predecessor
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the RTX 2070 or the RTX 3060 Ti?
We’d point most buyers to the RTX 3060 Ti. The main exception is if you’d trade the rest for 25 W lower board power.
Should I upgrade from the RTX 2070 to the RTX 3060 Ti?
For most owners, it’s a meaningful step. The RTX 3060 Ti brings 116% more theoretical FP32 compute, 111% more shader units and 5.6% more ray tracing units over the RTX 2070.
Which is larger, the RTX 2070 or the RTX 3060 Ti?
It’s the RTX 3060 Ti that is larger: 9.53 in, versus 9.02 in for the RTX 2070.
Which is faster, the RTX 2070 or the RTX 3060 Ti?
The RTX 3060 Ti should be the quicker of the two, with 116% more theoretical FP32 compute and 111% more shader units on its side.
Which costs less, the RTX 2070 or the RTX 3060 Ti?
The RTX 2070 launched at $100 more than the RTX 3060 Ti, based on prices as of December 2020.
Executive Summary
When a brand offers the RTX 2070 and the RTX 3060 Ti side by side, I always ask what you give up by picking one over the other. Honestly, 116% more theoretical FP32 compute on the RTX 3060 Ti does a lot of the persuading for me. On top of that, the RTX 3060 Ti adds 5.6% more ray tracing units. That said, the RTX 2070 answers with 25 W lower board power, which some people will value more.
Fit matters more than scores here. The RTX 2070 suits buyers focused on power & thermals; the RTX 3060 Ti suits those focused on gpu & performance.
My pick: I think most people will be happier with the RTX 3060 Ti, unless having 25 W lower board power matters more to you than the rest.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.