NVIDIA launched the RTX 5070 in early 2026, and the big question for mid-range GPU buyers is whether it is worth the upgrade over the RTX 4070. Both cards target 1440p gaming, but the generational leap comes with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation and a new architecture. Here is a direct comparison with real numbers.
RTX 5070 vs RTX 4070: Specs Comparison
| Spec | RTX 5070 | RTX 4070 |
|——|———-|———-|
| Architecture | Blackwell (GB205) | Ada Lovelace (AD104) |
| CUDA Cores | 6144 | 5888 |
| Base Clock | 2162 MHz | 1920 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 2512 MHz | 2475 MHz |
| VRAM | 12 GB GDDR7 | 12 GB GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 192-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 672 GB/s | 504 GB/s |
| TDP | 250W | 200W |
| DLSS Version | DLSS 4 (Multi Frame Gen) | DLSS 3 (Frame Gen) |
| MSRP | $549 | $499 (often $450 on sale) |
Raw Performance (Rasterization)
In traditional rasterization (no DLSS, no ray tracing), the RTX 5070 delivers roughly 20-30% better performance than the RTX 4070:
| Game (1440p Ultra) | RTX 5070 | RTX 4070 | Difference |
|——————–|———-|———-|————|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 85 FPS | 68 FPS | +25% |
| Elden Ring | 60 FPS (capped) | 60 FPS (capped) | 0% |
| CS2 | 450+ FPS | 380+ FPS | +18% |
| Helldivers 2 | 95 FPS | 72 FPS | +32% |
| Fortnite | 180+ FPS | 140+ FPS | +29% |
| Black Myth Wukong | 65 FPS | 48 FPS | +35% |
The improvement is most noticeable in GPU-bound scenarios at 1440p and above. In CPU-limited games or at 1080p, the gap shrinks.
Ray Tracing Performance
Ray tracing is where the generational improvement is most dramatic. The RTX 5070 Blackwell architecture has significantly more efficient RT cores:
| Game (1440p RT Ultra) | RTX 5070 | RTX 4070 | Difference |
|———————–|———-|———-|————|
| Cyberpunk 2077 RT Ultra | 55 FPS | 35 FPS | +57% |
| Alan Wake 2 RT High | 48 FPS | 30 FPS | +60% |
| Black Myth Wukong RT | 45 FPS | 28 FPS | +61% |
With ray tracing enabled, the RTX 5070 is roughly 50-60% faster. This makes ray tracing genuinely playable on a mid-range card for the first time.
DLSS 4 vs DLSS 3
The biggest feature difference is DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation. While DLSS 3 generates one extra frame between each rendered frame, DLSS 4 can generate up to three extra frames.
In practice, DLSS 4 doubles the effective frame rate compared to DLSS 3 in supported games. An RTX 5070 running Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p RT Ultra with DLSS 4 can hit 100+ FPS, compared to 55-60 FPS with DLSS 3 on the RTX 4070.
The catch: DLSS 4 is exclusive to RTX 50-series cards. DLSS 3 Frame Generation is exclusive to RTX 40-series and newer. RTX 30-series gets DLSS 2 Super Resolution only.
Power Consumption and Thermals
The RTX 5070 draws 250W versus 200W for the RTX 4070. That is 25% more power for 25-30% more performance, making efficiency roughly comparable.
You will need at minimum a 650W PSU for the RTX 5070. The RTX 4070 works comfortably with a 550W PSU.
Temperature-wise, the RTX 5070 runs 5-8 degrees Celsius hotter under load than the RTX 4070 in a typical case. Adequate case airflow is more important with the 5070.
VRAM: GDDR7 vs GDDR6X
Both cards have 12 GB of VRAM, but the RTX 5070 uses GDDR7 which provides 33% more memory bandwidth (672 GB/s vs 504 GB/s). This helps with 4K textures and ray tracing where memory bandwidth is a bottleneck.
12 GB is becoming tight for some games at 4K Ultra in 2026. Both cards may need to reduce texture quality in the most demanding titles at 4K, but at 1440p (the target resolution for both), 12 GB is sufficient.
Price and Value
| Card | MSRP | Typical Street Price (Feb 2026) |
|——|——|———————————|
| RTX 5070 | $549 | $549-599 (limited stock) |
| RTX 4070 | $499 | $430-470 (clearance sales) |
| RTX 4070 Super | $599 | $520-560 |
The RTX 4070 at $430-470 clearance prices is an exceptional value. You get 75-80% of the RTX 5070 performance for 20% less money. If you find an RTX 4070 for under $450, it is hard to argue against it.
The RTX 5070 makes sense if you want DLSS 4 (a legitimate generational upgrade), plan to keep the card for 3+ years, play ray-traced games regularly, or can find one at MSRP.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the RTX 4070 if:
- You find it on sale for under $470
- You primarily play esports titles or older games
- You do not care about ray tracing
- You want the best dollar-per-frame value right now
Buy the RTX 5070 if:
- You want the latest architecture for longevity
- DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation matters to you
- You play ray-traced games (Cyberpunk, Alan Wake 2)
- You plan to game at 4K with DLSS upscaling
- You can find it at MSRP ($549)
FAQ
Is the RTX 5070 worth $100 more than the RTX 4070?
For most gamers, yes. The 25-30% rasterization improvement and 50-60% ray tracing improvement plus DLSS 4 justify the $100 premium. However, if you find the RTX 4070 at $430 or less, the value gap narrows significantly.
Can the RTX 5070 handle 4K gaming?
At 4K with DLSS 4 Quality mode, yes. Expect 60+ FPS in most games at 4K with DLSS enabled. Native 4K without DLSS is too demanding for a mid-range card in most 2026 titles.
Should I wait for the RTX 5060?
If your budget is tight, the RTX 5060 (expected $299-349) will likely offer RTX 4070-class performance with DLSS 4 support. It could be the best value GPU of 2026 when it launches.
Is 12 GB VRAM enough in 2026?
For 1440p, yes. For 4K Ultra textures, it is becoming tight in some games. If 4K gaming is your priority, consider the RTX 5070 Ti with 16 GB when it launches.
How does the RTX 5070 compare to the RX 7800 XT?
The RTX 5070 is roughly 15-20% faster in rasterization and significantly faster in ray tracing. The RX 7800 XT has 16 GB VRAM versus 12 GB. For pure rasterization value, the RX 7800 XT at $480 is competitive. For ray tracing and DLSS, the RTX 5070 wins decisively.
