RTX 2080 Ti vs RTX 3070 Ti
Picking between two members of one lineup is less about brand and more about the specs that differ. For the RTX 2080 Ti and the RTX 3070 Ti, those differences are what this page maps out. By our tally, the RTX 2080 Ti leads 2 of 3 areas. The memory section is where it pulls furthest ahead of the RTX 3070 Ti. It also matters that $400 separates their launch prices, with the RTX 2080 Ti at the top.
At a glance
- GPU & Performance RTX 3070 Ti wins
- Memory RTX 2080 Ti wins
- Power & Thermals RTX 2080 Ti wins
- Price RTX 3070 Ti wins
- GPU & Performance1.6
- Memory3.9
- Power & Thermals6.0
- GPU & Performance2.6
- Memory2.1
- Power & Thermals3.5
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 3070 Ti has 62% more theoretical FP32 compute
When it comes to fp32 compute, the RTX 3070 Ti wins comfortably with 21.7 TFLOPS against 13.4 TFLOPS. FP32 compute is a theoretical peak that combines shader count and clock speed, a quick way to size up raw power.
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The RTX 2080 Ti has 3 GB more VRAM
It’s a lopsided result (11 GB for the RTX 2080 Ti, 8 GB for the RTX 3070 Ti) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. At high resolutions or with texture packs, running out of VRAM can hurt more than a small speed gap.
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The RTX 3070 Ti has 41% more shader units
The spread here is large: 6,144 on the RTX 3070 Ti versus 4,352 on the RTX 2080 Ti. Expect to notice it. The RTX 3070 Ti’s extra shaders give it more raw muscle, although comparisons across different architectures aren’t one-to-one.
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The RTX 2080 Ti has 40 W lower board power
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the RTX 2080 Ti makes its strongest case: 250 W against 290 W. Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill.
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The RTX 2080 Ti has 42% more ray tracing units
The RTX 2080 Ti clearly leads on ray tracing units, and 68 versus 48 is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. More ray tracing units help keep frame rates up when ray-traced lighting, shadows and reflections are switched on.
Design & Size
- RTX 2080 Ti 10.51 in × 2 slots
- RTX 3070 Ti 10.63 in × 2 slots
There’s no meaningful size difference between the RTX 2080 Ti and the RTX 3070 Ti.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 2080 Ti | RTX 3070 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.51 in | 10.63 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x USB-C (VirtualLink) | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
GPU & Performance
RTX 3070 Ti leads
In the gpu & performance category, the RTX 3070 Ti isn’t just ahead; it’s clearly ahead. On the RTX 3070 Ti, you get 62% more theoretical FP32 compute. The RTX 3070 Ti has more theoretical compute, which often, but not always, translates into higher frame rates. On its side, the RTX 2080 Ti has 42% more ray tracing units. In short, the RTX 3070 Ti is the better-equipped card for gpu & performance.
FP32 compute
RTX 2080 Ti: 13.4 TFLOPS RTX 3070 Ti: 21.7 TFLOPS Architectures use their compute differently, so treat the gap as a guide and look at game benchmarks for the details.
Shader units
RTX 2080 Ti: 4,352 RTX 3070 Ti: 6,144 Shader units do most of the heavy lifting in games, so more of them usually means more frames per second within the same architecture.
Memory
RTX 2080 Ti leads
The RTX 2080 Ti is the clear pick if memory is what you care about most. The RTX 2080 Ti pulls ahead with 3 GB more VRAM. Newer games tend to ask for more video memory, so the RTX 2080 Ti’s extra VRAM helps the card age better. If memory is your priority, the RTX 2080 Ti is the card to pick.
VRAM
RTX 2080 Ti: 11 GB RTX 3070 Ti: 8 GB More VRAM lets the card hold higher-resolution textures and bigger scenes without stutter.
Memory bus
RTX 2080 Ti: 352-bit RTX 3070 Ti: 256-bit A wider memory bus moves more data per clock between the GPU and its memory.
Features
Names, not numbers: the features rows below show what each one is built with, and it’s worth reading them side by side.
Power & Thermals
RTX 2080 Ti leads
The RTX 2080 Ti clearly takes the power & thermals round. The RTX 2080 Ti makes its case with 40 W lower board power. Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RTX 3070 Ti’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed. For anyone who cares most about power & thermals, the RTX 2080 Ti is the safer choice.
Total board power
RTX 2080 Ti: 250 W RTX 3070 Ti: 290 W The RTX 2080 Ti draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases.
Recommended PSU
RTX 2080 Ti: 650 W RTX 3070 Ti: 750 W With the RTX 2080 Ti, you’re more likely to keep your existing power supply, which can save real money.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RTX 2080 Ti | RTX 3070 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| GPU die | TU102 | GA104 |
| Process | TSMC 12nm FFN | Samsung 8N |
| Shader units | 4,352 Fewest shader units | 6,144 (winner) |
| Ray tracing units | 68 (winner) Fewest ray tracing units | 48 |
| Base clock | 1,350 MHz Lowest base clock | 1,575 MHz (winner) |
| Boost clock | 1,545 MHz Lowest boost clock | 1,770 MHz (winner) |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 13.4 TFLOPS Least compute in class | 21.7 TFLOPS (winner) |
Memory
| Spec | RTX 2080 Ti | RTX 3070 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 11 GB (winner) Least VRAM in class | 8 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | 352-bit (winner) | 256-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 616 GB/s Least memory bandwidth | 608 GB/s |
Features
| Spec | RTX 2080 Ti | RTX 3070 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 2080 Ti | RTX 3070 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 250 W (winner) Lowest power draw in class | 290 W |
| Recommended PSU | 650 W (winner) Smallest PSU requirement | 750 W |
| Power connector | 2x 8-pin | 1x 12-pin |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 2080 Ti | RTX 3070 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.51 in | 10.63 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x USB-C (VirtualLink) | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
Price
| Spec | RTX 2080 Ti | RTX 3070 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $999 | $599 (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
The RTX 3070 Ti undercut the RTX 2080 Ti by $400 at launch, which works out to 67%. Spending the extra $400 on the RTX 2080 Ti gets you 3 GB more VRAM and 40 W lower board power over the RTX 3070 Ti.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked June 2021. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RTX 2080 Ti if…
- you play at high resolutions with high-quality textures (11 GB vs 8 GB VRAM)
- you care about your power bill and a quieter case (250 W vs 290 W)
- you want more dedicated ray tracing hardware (68 vs 48)
- you push high resolutions where memory width helps (352-bit vs 256-bit bus)
Choose the RTX 3070 Ti if…
- you run compute-heavy work alongside gaming (21.7 TFLOPS vs 13.4 TFLOPS FP32)
- you want more shader units working on every frame (6,144 vs 4,352)
- you care about peak clock speed (1,770 MHz vs 1,545 MHz boost)
- you care about clock speed under sustained load (1,575 MHz vs 1,350 MHz base)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $400 more
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the RTX 2080 Ti or the RTX 3070 Ti?
The RTX 3070 Ti offers better value, saving $400 compared with the RTX 2080 Ti.
Is the RTX 3070 Ti worth it over the RTX 2080 Ti?
The RTX 3070 Ti makes a solid case for upgrading, with 62% more theoretical FP32 compute, 41% more shader units and a 15% higher boost clock over the RTX 2080 Ti.
Is the RTX 2080 Ti bigger than the RTX 3070 Ti?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the RTX 2080 Ti and the RTX 3070 Ti is too small to matter.
Which is faster, the RTX 2080 Ti or the RTX 3070 Ti?
On paper, the RTX 3070 Ti is the stronger performer, with 62% more theoretical FP32 compute and 41% more shader units.
Is the RTX 2080 Ti cheaper than the RTX 3070 Ti?
The RTX 3070 Ti is the cheaper option, launching at $400 less than the RTX 2080 Ti (launch prices as of June 2021).
Executive Summary
When I compare the RTX 2080 Ti and the RTX 3070 Ti, I try to ignore the names and look only at what changes. I keep coming back to one thing: the RTX 3070 Ti gets 62% more theoretical FP32 compute. On top of that, the RTX 3070 Ti adds a 15% higher boost clock. I don’t want to sell the RTX 2080 Ti short, though: it has 3 GB more VRAM.
Fit matters more than scores here. The RTX 2080 Ti suits buyers focused on memory; the RTX 3070 Ti suits those focused on gpu & performance.
My pick: honestly, the RTX 3070 Ti; the RTX 2080 Ti is good, just not $400 better.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.