NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8GB Graphics Card

NVIDIA's RTX 3070 card launched in October 2020 and caused quite a stir in the gaming community upon launch. NVIDIA claimed the card delivered equal to or better performance than the previous-generation flagship RTX 2080 Ti (which cost nearly twice as much). The card is built on the Ampere architecture, NVIDIA's second-generation RTX technology — featuring enhanced RT Cores (for ray-tracing) and third-generation Tensor Cores (for DLSS).

This card is built on the GA104-300 chip, which is a full version of the cut-down GA104 chip used in the RTX 3060 Ti. This is why the RTX 3070 comes with more CUDA cores and slightly higher clock speeds than the RTX 3060 Ti, while the memory system (256-bit bus, 14 Gbps) remains exactly the same.

Performance and Architecture

The RTX 3070 features 5888 CUDA Cores, 184 Tensor Cores, 46 RT Cores, and 96 ROPs. Boost clocks range from 1725 MHz to 1830 MHz depending on the model, with premium factory-overclocked variants (like the MSI SUPRIM X) reaching 1905-1920 MHz. This card is built on an 8nm process (Samsung).

DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan support make this card well-compatible with modern gaming technologies. NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), ray-tracing, NVIDIA Reflex, and NVIDIA Studio driver support (for content creators and 3D artists) are also included. This card also works well with collaborative 3D workflows like NVIDIA Omniverse.

Memory and memory bandwidth

This card features 8GB of GDDR6 video memory, running at speeds of up to 14 Gbps over a 256-bit memory interface. This provides memory bandwidth of up to 448 GB/s, which is comparable to the RTX 3060 Ti. This high-bandwidth memory system helps smoothly handle high-resolution textures in 1440p and entry-level 4K gaming.

Display Output and Connectivity

The RTX 3070 features 3x DisplayPort 1.4a and 1-2x HDMI 2.1 outputs (depending on model), supporting resolutions up to 4K@120Hz and 8K@60Hz. The card can connect up to 4 displays simultaneously. The PCI Express 4.0 x16 interface allows for full bandwidth utilization with the latest motherboards. SLI/NVLink support is not available.

Cooling and Build

The card comes in a dual- or triple-slot design, with lengths ranging from 267mm to 305mm depending on the model. Most variants feature dual-fan (e.g. ASUS Dual, Gigabyte GAMING OC) or triple-fan (e.g. MSI Gaming X Trio, MSI SUPRIM X) cooling designs. An interesting variant is ASUS' Noctua Edition, which uses premium Noctua fans, known for their extra-silent operation.

Things to keep in mind during installation

Ensure the card is properly seated in the PCIe x16 slot and the power connectors are connected (depending on the model, either 1-2x 8-pin or 8-pin + 6-pin). The recommended PSU is 650-750W. Download the GeForce Game Ready or Studio drivers from NVIDIA's official website.

Who is this graphics card for?

The RTX 3070 is an excellent choice for users who want both the highest settings and ray-tracing in 1440p gaming, or want to explore entry-level 4K gaming. This card is also a reliable choice for content creators, video editors, and 3D artists thanks to its NVIDIA Studio driver support. For those looking for a little more headroom than the RTX 3060 Ti, it's the next logical upgrade.

RTX 3070 Specifications Table

RTX 3070 Price (New vs Second-Hand)

Note: This card was launched during the crypto mining boom (2020-21) and saw significant usage, so be sure to verify the card's history, fan bearings, and warranty status when purchasing second-hand. Also, be sure to check the current price on local markets/online platforms, as this is still an active card in the market.