Quick answer
The RTX 3070 is a C-tier graphics card in our GPU tier list (gaming score 49, RTX 4090 = 100), built for 1080p gaming. With a fast CPU it averages about 123 FPS at 1080p, 83 FPS at 1440p and 41 FPS at 4K in a typical AAA game at high settings. 8GB of VRAM is enough for ultra textures at 1080p, enough for high (not ultra) textures at 1440p and below the 12GB our VRAM rule asks for at 4K high settings, so expect to lower texture quality there. Its maker recommends a 650W power supply.
RTX 3070 Specs
| Spec | RTX 3070 |
|---|---|
| Maker | NVIDIA |
| Architecture | Ampere |
| VRAM | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Memory bus | 256-bit |
| Boost clock | 1730 MHz |
| CUDA Cores | 5,888 |
| Board power | 220W |
| Maker’s recommended PSU | 650W |
| Upscaling / frame generation | DLSS upscaling (no DLSS Frame Generation; FSR 3 frame generation works in games that offer it) |
| Released | 2020 |
| ComputingSkill gaming score | 49 (C tier) |
Specs: RTX 3070 official page. Scores are ComputingSkill’s gaming index, positioned from publicly reported review averages, not our own benchmarks (methodology).
RTX 3070 Gaming Performance (Estimated FPS)
Average FPS from the FPS Calculator’s formula for a typical AAA game, paired with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D so the card is the limit wherever it can be. Figures marked * are held back by the CPU instead. Ray tracing, upscaling and frame generation are not included; they are estimates, not benchmarks.
| Settings | 1080p | 1440p | 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 202* | 142 | 87 |
| Medium | 159 | 108 | 67 |
| High | 123 | 83 | 41 |
| Ultra | 98 | 60 | 31 |
| Esports titles, high | 368 | 250 | 154 |
In the GPU tier list the RTX 3070 sits in C tier: 1080p gaming at high settings. In games that support it, DLSS upscaling (no DLSS Frame Generation; FSR 3 frame generation works in games that offer it) can raise these frame rates, at some cost in image quality or input latency. How upscaling and frame generation work.
Is 8GB of VRAM Enough on the RTX 3070?
8GB of VRAM is enough for ultra textures at 1080p, enough for high (not ultra) textures at 1440p and below the 12GB our VRAM rule asks for at 4K high settings, so expect to lower texture quality there. The rule is the GPU VRAM Calculator’s minimum for each resolution and texture level (1080p: 6GB at high, 8GB at ultra; 1440p: 8GB / 10GB; 4K: 12GB / 14GB). Short on VRAM, a game stutters or swaps textures rather than simply losing frames.
Best CPU for the RTX 3070
At 1080p, the Ryzen 5 5600 is the most modest current CPU that runs the RTX 3070 without a noticeable CPU bottleneck (under 15% in our engine, typical AAA game at high settings). At 1440p the card does more of the work, so the Core i3-12100F is already enough. A faster CPU still helps in esports and CPU-heavy games, where the CPU sets the frame rate far more often.
| CPU | 1080p | 1440p | 4K | Pair page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i3-12100F | CPU ~17% | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | — |
| Ryzen 5 5600 | CPU ~10% | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | Full pairing |
| Core i5-12400F | Balanced | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | — |
| Ryzen 7 5800X | Balanced | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | Full pairing |
| Core i5-12600K | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | Full pairing |
| Ryzen 5 7600 | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | — |
| Core i5-14600K | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | — |
| Ryzen 7 7800X3D | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | — |
| Ryzen 7 9800X3D | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | GPU-limited | — |
“GPU-limited” is normal and means the card is the part working hardest. A CPU % is how much of the card goes unused. Check any other pair in the PC Bottleneck Calculator.
What PSU Does the RTX 3070 Need?
The RTX 3070’s maker recommends a 650W power supply, and the card itself draws up to about 220W. With a Ryzen 5 5600, the PSU Calculator estimates a full-load draw of about 389W for the whole PC and recommends a 650W unit (30% headroom, rounded up). A power-hungry CPU such as a Core i9 needs more, so check your exact parts.
Similar Graphics Cards
| Graphics card | Score | VRAM | FPS 1440p high | Board power | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX 7700 XT | 52 | 12GB | 88 | 245W | 2023 |
| RTX 5060 Ti 16GB | 50 | 16GB | 82 | 180W | 2025 |
| RTX 3070 | 49 | 8GB | 83 | 220W | 2020 |
| RX 9060 XT 16GB | 47 | 16GB | 77 | 160W | 2025 |
| RX 6700 XT | 47 | 12GB | 80 | 230W | 2021 |
Head-to-head comparisons: RTX 3070 vs RX 6700 XT.
Try the RTX 3070 with your own CPU, resolution and settings in the FPS Calculator, or see which games it runs in Can I Run It.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RTX 3070 good for 1440p gaming?
It manages about 83 FPS at 1440p high in a typical AAA game with a fast CPU, but it is below the level our PC Upgrade Calculator calls comfortable for 1440p (score 49 vs 50), so newer, heavier games will need medium settings or upscaling.
What CPU should I pair with the RTX 3070?
For 1080p, at least a Ryzen 5 5600 to avoid a noticeable CPU bottleneck; at 1440p, a Core i3-12100F is enough. Faster CPUs help in esports and strategy games.
What power supply does the RTX 3070 need?
Its maker recommends 650W. With a Ryzen 5 5600 our PSU Calculator suggests 650W for the whole PC.
Is 8GB of VRAM enough on the RTX 3070?
8GB of VRAM is enough for ultra textures at 1080p, enough for high (not ultra) textures at 1440p and below the 12GB our VRAM rule asks for at 4K high settings, so expect to lower texture quality there.