RTX 3070 or RX 9070 GRE? Picking the Right GPU

If you are choosing between these two today, buy the Radeon RX 9070 GRE: it is a current-generation card that is substantially faster than the RTX 3070, has 12 GB of VRAM instead of 8 GB, and supports FSR 4. The GeForce RTX 3070 only makes sense as a cheap used card for 1080p gaming, or as a card you already own and want to stretch a bit longer.

The RTX 3070 is a September 2020 Ampere card that launched at $499 and was a 1440p favorite for years. The RX 9070 GRE is an RDNA 4 card from May 2025 with a $549 launch MSRP, released first for the Chinese market with availability elsewhere varying by region. Five years of progress separate them, and it shows.

Specifications Compared

The raw bandwidth numbers are almost identical, but that hides an important difference: the 9070 GRE has a 48 MB L3 cache (AMD’s Infinity Cache) that cuts how often the GPU needs to reach main memory, so its effective bandwidth is much higher. The much higher boost clock and newer process also mean far more work per shader, which is why the lower shader count is not a disadvantage.

Performance Gap in Real Games

No major outlet seems to have published a direct RTX 3070 versus RX 9070 GRE review, so the best estimate comes from chaining reliable comparisons. 3DCenter’s roundup of RTX 4070 launch reviews, as reported by Notebookcheck, put the RTX 4070 about 21% ahead of the RTX 3070. ComputerBase’s data, as reported by TechPowerUp, put the RX 9070 GRE about 5% ahead of the RTX 4070 at 1440p and somewhat behind the RTX 5070. Combining those figures puts the RX 9070 GRE roughly 25-40% ahead of the RTX 3070 at 1440p in rasterized games. Benchmark aggregator sites disagree wildly on this pair (some show single digits, others over 60%), which is why the chained review data is a better guide.

In games that exceed 8 GB of VRAM, the gap can be much larger than the average, because the RTX 3070 starts stuttering or loading low-resolution textures. That is the 3070’s biggest weakness in 2026.

Frame rates vary by settings, CPU and game patch, but as a broad guide, the 3070 typically sits in the 40-70 fps range at 1440p high in demanding new releases, often with textures lowered, while the 9070 GRE more often lands around 60-90 fps at the same resolution.

Ray Tracing: Old Nvidia vs New AMD

The RTX 3070 was a strong ray tracing card in 2020, and older Radeon cards trailed it badly in RT. RDNA 4 changed that. The RX 9070 GRE uses the same improved ray tracing hardware as the RX 9070 and 9070 XT, which reviewers found competitive with Nvidia’s current mid-range cards in most RT games. Against a two-generation-old RTX 3070, the GRE should lead in most ray-traced titles, with the 3070’s 8 GB buffer adding further problems because ray tracing raises memory use. In extreme path-tracing modes, neither card is a good fit.

Upscaling and Frame Generation

• RTX 3070: can use DLSS super resolution, including the DLSS 4 transformer model, which looks very good. It does not support DLSS frame generation, which is limited to RTX 40 and RTX 50 cards. It can still use FSR 3 frame generation in games that offer it.
• RX 9070 GRE: supports FSR 4, AMD’s machine-learning upscaler reserved for RDNA 4, plus AMD frame generation.

The 3070’s access to DLSS upscaling is its strongest remaining argument, because DLSS is in more games than FSR 4. But the GRE is fast enough that it needs upscaling less often, and FSR 4’s image quality is widely reported to be close to DLSS.

Why 8 GB Is the Real Problem

A quick VRAM guide for current AAA games at high settings:

When a card runs out of memory, the result is not just lower average fps but stutter, texture pop-in and sometimes crashes. Many recent releases automatically drop texture quality on 8 GB cards. The 9070 GRE’s 12 GB is not lavish, but it is the minimum that feels reasonable for 1440p in 2026.

Power, Connectors and Case Fit

Both cards are rated at 220 W, so power supply needs are the same. Using GPU TDP + CPU + about 150 W headroom with a 125 W CPU: 220 + 125 + 150 = 495 W, so a quality 550-650 W unit covers either card. The GRE delivers much more performance per watt at the same rating.

The Founders Edition RTX 3070 uses Nvidia’s 12-pin connector with an included adapter, while most partner 3070 cards use standard 8-pin plugs. The 9070 GRE uses two 8-pin connectors. If you are moving from a 3070 to a GRE, make sure your PSU has two separate 8-pin PCIe cables, ideally not one daisy-chained cable.

The 3070 reference card is 242 mm long and two slots wide. The 9070 GRE is a two-slot design, but length depends on the partner model, so measure your case before buying, especially in small form factor builds.

Used RTX 3070 vs New RX 9070 GRE: Value

Used RTX 3070 cards usually sell in roughly the $200-$260 range. Using an RTX 3070 index of 100 and the GRE at about 130 (midpoint of the estimate above):

• Used RTX 3070 at about $230: $230 / 100 = about $2.30 per point.
• RX 9070 GRE at its $549 launch price: $549 / 130 = about $4.20 per point.

On pure cost per frame, a cheap used 3070 wins. The trade-off is the 8 GB limit, no warranty in many cases, and no frame generation through DLSS. For a 1080p esports or budget build, a used 3070 is a reasonable buy. For 1440p AAA gaming over several years, the GRE’s extra memory and speed justify the premium.

Who Should Buy Which

Final Word

The RX 9070 GRE is the clear winner on performance, memory and features that matter for new games, so it is the right choice for anyone buying a card to use at 1440p for the next few years. The RTX 3070 still plays most games well at 1080p and remains attractive when it is cheap on the used market, but its 8 GB buffer increasingly forces compromises. If you own a 3070 and it handles your games, there is no rush; when it starts to struggle, the GRE is a worthwhile upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much faster is the RX 9070 GRE than the RTX 3070?

Based on chained review data, the RX 9070 GRE is roughly 25-40% faster at 1440p in rasterized games. In games that exceed 8 GB of VRAM, the gap can be much larger. Ray tracing also generally favors the GRE.

Is upgrading from an RTX 3070 to an RX 9070 GRE worth it?

It is a meaningful upgrade, especially at 1440p and in newer games limited by 8 GB of VRAM. If you can stretch the budget, an RX 9070 or RX 9070 XT offers an even bigger jump. If you mostly play older or esports titles, your 3070 may still be fine.

Can the RTX 3070 use DLSS frame generation?

No. DLSS frame generation requires an RTX 40 or RTX 50 card. The RTX 3070 can use DLSS upscaling, including the DLSS 4 transformer model, and AMD’s FSR frame generation in games that support it.

Is the RX 9070 GRE available outside China?

The RX 9070 GRE launched first in China, and availability in other regions has varied. In markets where it is hard to find, the RX 9070 and RX 9060 XT 16 GB are the closest AMD alternatives. Compare street prices against those before deciding.

Do I need a new PSU to swap a 3070 for a 9070 GRE?

Usually not, since both are rated at 220 W. A quality 550-650 W unit is fine for either. Just make sure the PSU provides two separate 8-pin PCIe cables for the GRE.