When comparing the RTX 5070 vs RTX 4080, we have a match between the newest mid range behemoth in NVIDIA’s lineup and their tried and tested top end beast. The RTX 5070 features the Ada Lovelace-Next architecture enabling a great performance in a more affordable price point. Meanwhile, the RTX 4080 remains dominating high performance gaming and creative workloads.
We will discuss the RTX 5070 and RTX 4080 with gaming benchmark, ray tracing capabilities, power efficiency, pricing and features, so you can decide which GPU is best for your system.
Overview of RTX 5070 vs RTX 4080
| Specification | RTX 5070 | RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2025 | 2022 |
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace-Next | Ada Lovelace |
| VRAM | 16GB GDDR7 | 16GB GDDR6X |
| CUDA Cores | 10,752 | 9,728 |
| Base/Boost Clock | 2300/2750 MHz | 2205/2505 MHz |
| TDP (Power Usage) | 300W | 320W |
The faster GDDR7 memory, more CUDA cores and higher clock speeds make the RTX 5070 a great mid range option. The RTX 4080, meanwhile, remains a great choice for gamers and creators who need the Nvidia gaming experience’s best performance.
Gaming Performance: RTX 5070 vs RTX 4080
Both GPUs are strong 1440p and 4K gaming machines, and while the performance maxes out in most situations, the RTX 4080 leads in almost every scenario, especially with ray tracing turned on and ultra settings engaged.
| Game | RTX 5070 (FPS Avg) | RTX 4080 (FPS Avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 (4K Ultra) | ~95 FPS (DLSS 4.0) | ~115 FPS (DLSS 3.0) |
| Call of Duty: Warzone | ~200 FPS | ~230 FPS |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider (4K) | ~140 FPS | ~165 FPS |
| Fortnite (Performance Mode) | ~350 FPS | ~380 FPS |
Key Takeaway: Where in raw power the RTX 4080 is better than the RTX 5070 is in 4K gaming, but where the RTX 5070 is great for its price point it also delivers an exceptional amount of gaming for this price point.
Ray Tracing and DLSS: Next-Level Graphics
The RTX 5070 beats both GPUs in terms of its ray tracing and AI enhanced performance, though, thanks to some NVIDIA’s latest advancements.
- RTX 5070 Advantages:
- DLSS 4.0 for superior AI upscaling and frame generation.
- Improved ray tracing performance with 4th Gen Ray Tracing Cores.
- Optimized for next-gen games requiring cutting-edge rendering.
- RTX 4080 Advantages:
- Proven DLSS 3.0 technology.
- Excellent ray tracing capabilities for current-gen games.
- Superior performance in memory-intensive applications due to its established architecture.
Key Takeaway: Ray tracing and upscaling – DLSS 4.0 and advanced cores – shrink the gap a bit, but the RTX 4080 holds on to raw rendering power.
Power Efficiency and Thermal Management
With only a mid range GPU, the RTX 5070 is quite literal and matches its power demands as high tier cards, which is why thermal management is even more important for the RTX 5070.
| Feature | RTX 5070 | RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP (Power Usage) | 300W | 320W |
| Recommended PSU | 750W | 850W |
| Cooling Requirements | High-End Air/Liquid | High-End Air/Liquid |
Key Takeaway: While it’s not quite as popular, the RTX 5070 is a bit more power efficient while maintaining high performance making it a better fit for mid range builds.
Pricing and Availability
Indeed one of the strengths of the RTX 5070 is that it is more affordable than the high end RTX 4080.
| Feature | RTX 5070 | RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch MSRP | $699 | $1,199 |
| Used Market Price | N/A (Newly Launched) | ~$1,000-$1,100 |
Key Takeaway: With the RTX 5070 on the budget end of the spectrum, it’s a solid option for gamers looking to squeeze the most out of their dollar, and the RTX 4080 is great for those who want uncompromised performance at the premium end of the spectrum.
Key Features
| Feature | RTX 5070 | RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Ray Tracing Cores | 4th Gen | 3rd Gen |
| DLSS Support | DLSS 4.0 | DLSS 3.0 |
| VRAM | 16GB GDDR7 | 16GB GDDR6X |
| Driver Support | Latest and Active | Stable and Mature |
However, next-gen game optimization is slightly more potent for the RTX 5070 thanks to its GDDR7 memory, while RTX 4080 proves itself with its stable parameters and extensive experience.
RTX 5070 vs RTX 4080: Which One Should You Buy?
Your choice between the RTX 5070 vs RTX 4080 depends on your priorities:
- Choose the RTX 5070 if:
- You want a high-performance GPU for 1440p and 4K gaming at a lower price.
- DLSS 4.0 and next-gen features are important to you.
- You’re building a mid-range PC with power efficiency in mind.
- Choose the RTX 4080 if:
- You require top-tier performance for 4K gaming and creative workloads.
- You prefer a proven high-end GPU with established driver support.
- Budget is not a concern, and you want the best performance NVIDIA offers in the high-end range.
CLICK HERE: RTX 5090 vs AMD RX 7900 XTX
Conclusion
NVIDIA’s RTX 5070 vs RTX 4080 comparison shows NVIDIA’s capacity to meet the needs of most of the users. If you’re a gamer looking for the power of DLSS 4.0 and GDDR7 memory for less, the RTX 5070 is a great choice. At the same time, the RTX 4080 is still an option for those looking for high performance numbers and stability.
Both GPUs also are excellent value for their respective categories so rest assured that either is the right choice for your gaming or creative needs.