Nvidia RTX 4070 Super vs RTX 3080: Which is the best gaming GPU?
The Nvidia RTX 4070 Super launched at CES this year is the supposed replacement for the last-gen RTX 3080. With similar rendering performance, the new 70-class card is expected to be a serious 1440p and 4K gaming powerhouse. However, following the launch of the newer Ada Lovelace cards, the 3080 has been handsomely discounted, making both lucrative options in the sub-$600 mid-premium range.
Which GPU should you buy among these? Answering that can be quite difficult, given a direct specs comparison isn't viable among these. However, in this article, we will look at the detailed performance figures to answer this.
NOTE: Parts of this article are subjective and reflect the writer's opinion.
Both Nvidia RTX 4070 Super and RTX 3080 offer competitive gaming performance
The RTX 4070 Super and the RTX 3080 are based on different architectures. While the 70-class card is based on the newer Ada Lovelace design, the 3080 uses the Ampere technology. Much hasn't changed among the two cards, however. The main difference is in the underlying cores, all of which are more powerful with the latest iteration.
Specs comparison
In terms of on-paper specs, the RTX 4070 Super might seem poorly stacked as compared to the last-gen 3080. However, you must note each individual CUDA, Tensor, and RT core is more capable than the last-gen.
Fewer core counts are a good thing in a way too — they result in improved efficiency. While the 3080 is a 320W power-hungry card, the newer 4070 Super draws just 225W under full load.
The detailed specs sheets of the GPUs are as follows:
Coming to the prices, The RTX 3080 continues to be costlier than both the RTX 4070 and 4070 Super if bought brand new. However, it is available at much cheaper prices in the used market. Although mining is far from dead, it's still advised to double-check any cards you buy for excessive wear and tear.
Also read: Comparison between the RTX 3070 and AMD RX 7700 XT
Performance comparison
Gaming performance is the main metric for GPUs. In this respect, the newer 4070 Super is the fastest across every video game you want to test the GPUs in. The difference isn't night and day, however — if you're already on the RTX 3080, there's no reason to upgrade.
Below is a detailed list of framerates achieved by either card at 1440p resolutions with the highest settings applied. We sourced these numbers from the YouTube channel Game Tests.
Nvidia RTX 4070 Super vs RTX 3080: Final verdict
Both the RTX 4070 Super and the RTX 3080 offer superb gaming performance at 1440p and 4K resolutions. However, if you're buying a new card today, I believe it's best to opt for the newer variant. The main reasons are:
- The 4070 Super bundles faster 12 GB video memory.
- You get support for DLSS 3 with frame generation.
- It's cheaper if bought brand-new. On top of that, you get a full warranty.
Video cards can die within a year or two. You may get weird artifacts on your screen; before you know it, it'll be time for an RMA. If you're buying a used RTX 3080, such issues might arise quickly. It's advised to buy a brand-new card to ensure complete peace of mind.
Check out more PC hardware comparisons from Sportskeeda:
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- Nvidia RTX 3060 laptop vs RTX 4050 laptop
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