RTX 4070 vs RTX 5070: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
If you own the RTX 4070 or still have it on your list, the RTX 5070 is the card that replaced it. The RTX 5070 wins more of the areas that we compared (2 of 3), and its most convincing lead is in gpu & performance. Here’s how the RTX 4070 and the RTX 5070 compare where it counts.
At a glance
- GPU & Performance RTX 5070 wins
- Memory RTX 5070 wins
- Power & Thermals RTX 4070 wins
- Price RTX 5070 wins
- GPU & Performance4.6
- Memory3.6
- Power & Thermals7.0
- GPU & Performance5.0
- Memory4.5
- Power & Thermals4.7
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 4070 has 50 W lower board power
At 200 W versus 250 W, this is a decisive lead for the RTX 4070, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. The RTX 4070 draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases.
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The RTX 5070 has 33% more memory bandwidth
If memory bandwidth is one of your priorities, this settles it: the RTX 5070 leads clearly with 672 GB/s to the RTX 4070’s 504 GB/s. The RTX 5070 has more bandwidth to work with, helping it hold up in memory-heavy games.
-
The RTX 5070 has 6.2% more theoretical FP32 compute
Close, but not identical: the RTX 5070 lists 30.9 TFLOPS and the RTX 4070 lists 29.1 TFLOPS. The RTX 5070 has more theoretical compute, which often, but not always, translates into higher frame rates.
-
The RTX 5070 has
The numbers aren’t close. The RTX 5070 lists 2,325 MHz for base clock, while the RTX 4070 lists 1,920 MHz. The base clock is the guaranteed minimum speed; in games, cards usually run well above it.
Design & Size
- RTX 4070 9.61 in × 2 slots
- RTX 5070 9.53 in × 2 slots
Size is a tie. Anywhere the RTX 4070 fits, the RTX 5070 should fit too, and vice versa.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 4070 | RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 9.61 in | 9.53 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 | 3x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1x HDMI 2.1b |
GPU & Performance
RTX 5070 leads
The RTX 4070 is outclassed on gpu & performance; the RTX 5070 leads by a clear margin. The RTX 5070 answers with 6.2% more theoretical FP32 compute. Architectures use their compute differently, so treat the gap as a guide and look at game benchmarks for the details. In short, the RTX 5070 is the better-equipped card for gpu & performance.
FP32 compute
RTX 4070: 29.1 TFLOPS RTX 5070: 30.9 TFLOPS FP32 compute is a theoretical peak that combines shader count and clock speed, a quick way to size up raw power.
Base clock
RTX 4070: 1,920 MHz RTX 5070: 2,325 MHz On its own, base clock rarely decides performance; boost clock and shader count matter more.
Memory
RTX 5070 leads
Few areas are as clear-cut as this one: the RTX 5070 leads the memory section with room to spare. The RTX 5070 steps ahead thanks to 33% more memory bandwidth. Bandwidth needs vary by architecture, so compare it alongside VRAM and cache rather than on its own. Weighing only memory, the RTX 5070 comes out ahead.
Memory bandwidth
RTX 4070: 504 GB/s RTX 5070: 672 GB/s Memory bandwidth decides how quickly the GPU can feed itself with data, which matters most at 1440p and 4K.
Features
We don’t score this area directly, because the features specs are labels rather than measurements. The table shows what each lists.
Power & Thermals
RTX 4070 leads
For power & thermals, the verdict is easy: the RTX 4070 leads, and not by a little. The RTX 4070 comes with 50 W lower board power. Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill. For anyone who cares most about power & thermals, the RTX 4070 is the safer choice.
Total board power
RTX 4070: 200 W RTX 5070: 250 W Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RTX 5070’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RTX 4070 | RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Blackwell |
| GPU die | AD104 | GB205 |
| Process | TSMC 4N | TSMC 4N |
| Shader units | 5,888 | 6,144 |
| Ray tracing units | 46 | 48 |
| Base clock | 1,920 MHz | 2,325 MHz (winner) |
| Boost clock | 2,475 MHz | 2,512 MHz |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 29.1 TFLOPS | 30.9 TFLOPS (winner) |
Memory
| Spec | RTX 4070 | RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6X | GDDR7 |
| Memory bus | 192-bit | 192-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 504 GB/s | 672 GB/s (winner) |
Features
| Spec | RTX 4070 | RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | DLSS Super Resolution | DLSS 4 Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | DLSS Frame Generation (2x) | DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (up to 4x) |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RTX 4070 | RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 200 W (winner) | 250 W |
| Recommended PSU | 650 W | 650 W |
| Power connector | 1x 16-pin (12VHPWR) | 1x 16-pin (12V-2x6) |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 4070 | RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 9.61 in | 9.53 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 | 3x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1x HDMI 2.1b |
Price
| Spec | RTX 4070 | RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $599 | $549 (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
Price barely moves the needle here: the RTX 4070 launched $50 higher. Spending less doesn’t mean getting less here: the RTX 5070 undercuts the RTX 4070 by $50 and still leads overall.
Launch prices in the US as of March 2025; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RTX 4070 if…
- you want lower power draw and less heat (200 W vs 250 W board power)
- you don’t care much about the upgrades in the newer model
Choose the RTX 5070 if…
- you want more memory bandwidth (672 GB/s vs 504 GB/s)
- you want more theoretical compute (30.9 TFLOPS vs 29.1 TFLOPS)
- you care about clock speed under sustained load (2,325 MHz vs 1,920 MHz base)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $50 more
- you find that the improvements in the RTX 5070 match what you need
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the RTX 4070 or the RTX 5070?
For most people, the RTX 5070 is the stronger choice, unless you bought the RTX 4070 recently.
Should I upgrade from the RTX 4070 to the RTX 5070?
The RTX 5070 makes a solid case for upgrading, with 33% more memory bandwidth and 6.2% more theoretical FP32 compute over the RTX 4070.
Is the RTX 4070 bigger than the RTX 5070?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the RTX 4070 and the RTX 5070 is too small to matter.
Which is faster, the RTX 4070 or the RTX 5070?
On paper, the RTX 5070 is the stronger performer, with 6.2% more theoretical FP32 compute.
Which costs less, the RTX 4070 or the RTX 5070?
The RTX 5070 is the cheaper option, launching at $50 less than the RTX 4070 (launch prices as of March 2025).
Executive Summary
I don’t think every new model deserves an upgrade, so let’s see what the RTX 5070 really brings over the RTX 4070. To me, the standout is that the RTX 5070 offers 33% more memory bandwidth. Plus, the RTX 5070 gets 6.2% more theoretical FP32 compute, which I wouldn’t overlook. I don’t want to sell the RTX 4070 short, though: it has 50 W lower board power.
If your days lean on power & thermals, I’d pick the RTX 4070; if they lean on gpu & performance, the RTX 5070.
My pick: the RTX 5070 for new buyers, while owners of the RTX 4070 can probably sit this generation out.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.