RTX 3060 Ti vs RTX 3070
The RTX 3060 Ti and the RTX 3070 come from the same family, which makes choosing between them trickier than it looks. Scoring each area separately, the RTX 3070 comes out on top 1 times out of 3. Its lead is sharpest in gpu & performance. It also matters that $100 separates their launch prices, with the RTX 3070 at the top.
At a glance
- GPU & Performance RTX 3070 wins
- Memory Tie
- Power & Thermals RTX 3060 Ti wins
- Price RTX 3060 Ti wins
- GPU & Performance3.8
- Memory3.1
- Power & Thermals5.4
- GPU & Performance5.6
- Memory3.1
- Power & Thermals3.4
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 3070 has 25% more theoretical FP32 compute
On fp32 compute, the RTX 3070 posts 20.3 TFLOPS against 16.2 TFLOPS for the RTX 3060 Ti, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. The RTX 3070 has more theoretical compute, which often, but not always, translates into higher frame rates.
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The RTX 3070 has 21% more shader units
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 5,888 for the RTX 3070 versus 4,864 for the RTX 3060 Ti. Treat shader count as a strong hint about performance tier, then check benchmarks for the games you actually play.
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The RTX 3070 has 21% more ray tracing units
The RTX 3060 Ti lists 38; the RTX 3070 comes in at 46. That’s not a rounding error. If you enable ray tracing, the RTX 3070’s extra RT hardware should take less of a hit.
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The RTX 3060 Ti has 20 W lower board power
Small gaps can still matter over time, and here the RTX 3060 Ti leads 200 W to 220 W. Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill.
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The RTX 3060 Ti has a smaller 600 W PSU requirement
The difference is minor (600 W against 650 W), but if you’re splitting hairs, the RTX 3060 Ti wins it. The recommended power supply tells you whether your current PSU can handle the card without an upgrade.
Design & Size
- RTX 3060 Ti 9.53 in × 2 slots
- RTX 3070 9.53 in × 2 slots
The footprint is practically the same, so size is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 3060 Ti | RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 9.53 in | 9.53 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
GPU & Performance
RTX 3070 leads
Look at the gpu & performance table and one name keeps coming out on top: the RTX 3070. The RTX 3070 comes with 25% more theoretical FP32 compute. FP32 compute is a theoretical peak that combines shader count and clock speed, a quick way to size up raw power. If this section decides it for you, choose the RTX 3070.
FP32 compute
RTX 3060 Ti: 16.2 TFLOPS RTX 3070: 20.3 TFLOPS Architectures use their compute differently, so treat the gap as a guide and look at game benchmarks for the details.
Shader units
RTX 3060 Ti: 4,864 RTX 3070: 5,888 The RTX 3070’s extra shaders give it more raw muscle, although comparisons across different architectures aren’t one-to-one.
Memory
Too close to call
You can skip ahead if memory was your deciding factor: the two are evenly matched here. Don’t let memory decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Features
In the features section, the key entries are names rather than numbers, so compare what the RTX 3060 Ti and the RTX 3070 list in the table below.
Power & Thermals
RTX 3060 Ti leads
The RTX 3060 Ti does a little better in the power & thermals section, though nothing here is a deal-breaker for the RTX 3070. The RTX 3060 Ti brings 20 W lower board power. The RTX 3060 Ti draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases. Weighing only power & thermals, the RTX 3060 Ti comes out ahead.
Total board power
RTX 3060 Ti: 200 W RTX 3070: 220 W Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RTX 3070’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed.
Recommended PSU
RTX 3060 Ti: 600 W RTX 3070: 650 W With the RTX 3060 Ti, you’re more likely to keep your existing power supply, which can save real money.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RTX 3060 Ti | RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere |
| GPU die | GA104 | GA104 |
| Process | Samsung 8N | Samsung 8N |
| Shader units | 4,864 | 5,888 (winner) Most shader units |
| Ray tracing units | 38 | 46 (winner) |
| Base clock | 1,410 MHz | 1,500 MHz (winner) |
| Boost clock | 1,665 MHz | 1,725 MHz (winner) |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 16.2 TFLOPS | 20.3 TFLOPS (winner) |
Memory
| Spec | RTX 3060 Ti | RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 3060 Ti | RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | DLSS Super Resolution | DLSS Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | No DLSS Frame Generation | No DLSS Frame Generation |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RTX 3060 Ti | RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 200 W (winner) | 220 W |
| Recommended PSU | 600 W (winner) | 650 W |
| Power connector | 1x 12-pin | 1x 12-pin |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 3060 Ti | RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 9.53 in | 9.53 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
Price
| Spec | RTX 3060 Ti | RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $399 (winner) | $499 |
“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
You pay $100 extra for the RTX 3070 at launch prices, a difference of 25%. Step up by $100 to the RTX 3070 and you gain 25% more theoretical FP32 compute and 21% more shader units.
Based on US launch pricing as of December 2020. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RTX 3060 Ti if…
- you care about your power bill and a quieter case (200 W vs 220 W)
- you want to keep your current power supply (600 W vs 650 W recommended PSU)
- you want more value for your money ($100 less at launch)
Choose the RTX 3070 if…
- you run compute-heavy work alongside gaming (20.3 TFLOPS vs 16.2 TFLOPS FP32)
- you want more raw GPU hardware (5,888 vs 4,864 shader units)
- you play with ray tracing switched on (46 vs 38 RT units)
- you care about peak clock speed (1,725 MHz vs 1,665 MHz boost)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the RTX 3060 Ti or the RTX 3070?
We’d point most buyers to the RTX 3070. The main exception is if you care more about 20 W lower board power than anything else.
Is the RTX 3060 Ti bigger than the RTX 3070?
Size is essentially a tie. The official dimensions of the RTX 3060 Ti and the RTX 3070 differ only marginally.
Which is faster, the RTX 3060 Ti or the RTX 3070?
On paper, the RTX 3070 is the stronger performer, with 25% more theoretical FP32 compute and 21% more shader units.
Which costs less, the RTX 3060 Ti or the RTX 3070?
The RTX 3070 launched at $100 more than the RTX 3060 Ti, based on prices as of December 2020.
Executive Summary
When a brand offers the RTX 3060 Ti and the RTX 3070 side by side, I always ask what you give up by picking one over the other. I’d put 25% more theoretical FP32 compute at the top of the list, and it belongs to the RTX 3070. And if that weren’t enough, the RTX 3070 has 21% more ray tracing units. Don’t write off the RTX 3060 Ti entirely: it has 20 W lower board power.
For power & thermals, the RTX 3060 Ti fits better. For gpu & performance, the RTX 3070 is the better match.
My pick: the RTX 3070, with one exception: if you know that 20 W lower board power would make a real difference in your routine, go for the RTX 3060 Ti.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.