RTX 5070
RTX 3090
RTX 5070 vs RTX 3090
Which graphics card should you buy in 2026? Full spec comparison and analysis.
Our Pick: RTX 5070
The RTX 5070 wins this matchup with better gaming performance, stronger overall benchmarks, better value for money, lower price ($549 vs $1499). At $549, it's also the more affordable option.
Performance Overview
Overall Performance
Gaming
Value for Money
Specifications Comparison
| Specification | RTX 5070 | RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $549Win | $1499 |
| VRAM | 12GB | 24GBWin |
| Memory Type | GDDR7 | GDDR6X |
| Boost Clock | 2512MHzWin | 1695MHz |
| Base Clock | 2325MHzWin | 1395MHz |
| Shader/Stream Processors | 6144 | 10496Win |
| Performance | 30.9TFLOPS | 35.6TFLOPSWin |
| TDP | 250WWin | 350W |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 384-bitWin |
| Bandwidth | 672GB/s | 936GB/sWin |
| Architecture | Blackwell | Ampere |
| Process Node | 4nmWin | 8nm |
| RT Cores | 48 | 82Win |
| AI Upscaling | DLSS 4 | DLSS 2.0 |
| Interface | PCIe 5.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| Power Connector | 1x 16-pin | 2x 8-pin |
| Card Length | 242mmWin | 313mm |
| Benchmark Score | 60/100Win | 47/100 |
| Gaming Score | 63/100Win | 49/100 |
| Value Score | 75/100Win | 20/100 |
RTX 5070
MSRP: $549
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RTX 5070 better than the RTX 3090?
The RTX 5070 is the stronger card overall. It scores 60/100 in synthetic benchmarks and 63/100 in gaming versus 47/100 and 49/100 for the RTX 3090. In practical terms, the RTX 5070 is a 1440p high card while the RTX 3090 targets 1440p medium / 1080p ultra. The RTX 5070 also has 12GB of GDDR7 on a 192-bit bus, giving it more headroom for high-res textures and future titles.
Which is the better value, RTX 5070 or RTX 3090?
At $549 vs $1499, the RTX 5070 is the better value pick here. Our value scores reflect this: RTX 5070 gets 75/100 and RTX 3090 gets 20/100. If you are building on a tighter budget, the RTX 5070 at $549 is the smarter buy. If you can stretch to $1499 and want the extra performance, the RTX 3090 justifies its price for demanding workloads.
Can the RTX 5070 or RTX 3090 run games at 4K?
Neither card is an ideal 4K GPU. The RTX 5070 can manage 4K at medium settings in less demanding titles, but both are really designed for 1440p gaming. If 4K is a priority, consider stepping up to a higher-tier card.
RTX 5070 vs RTX 3090 for 1440p gaming -- which is better?
Both GPUs can handle 1440p, but the RTX 5070 does it with more headroom. With 30.9 TFLOPS of compute and 12GB VRAM, it consistently pushes higher frame rates at 1440p ultra compared to the RTX 3090's 35.6 TFLOPS and 24GB. If you own a high-refresh 1440p monitor (144Hz+), the RTX 5070's extra performance matters. For a standard 60Hz panel, either card will do fine.
What CPU should I pair with the RTX 5070 or RTX 3090?
To avoid bottlenecking the RTX 5070 (gaming score 63/100), pair it with at least a Ryzen 5 9600X or Core i5-14600K. For the RTX 3090 (gaming score 49/100), a Ryzen 5 7600 or Ryzen 5 9600X will keep things balanced. Overspending on the CPU relative to the GPU -- or vice versa -- leaves performance on the table. As a rule of thumb, your CPU should cost roughly 40-60% of your GPU budget for a gaming-focused build.
Is the RTX 5070 worth it in 2026?
The RTX 5070 remains a solid buy in 2026. With 12GB of GDDR7 and Blackwell architecture, it handles current games at 1440p high settings without issues. Support for DLSS 4 extends its lifespan further by boosting frame rates in supported titles. At $549 MSRP, it offers strong value and should stay relevant for at least another 2-3 years of AAA gaming.
Should I wait for next-gen or buy the RTX 5070 now?
If you need a GPU now, the RTX 5070 at $549 is a perfectly capable 1440p card. The latest GPUs (NVIDIA RTX 50-series Blackwell, AMD RDNA 4) are now available, so consider comparing against the newest options in your budget. The RTX 5070's Blackwell architecture and 12GB VRAM still have plenty of life left.
How much power does the RTX 5070 vs RTX 3090 use?
The RTX 3090 draws 350W TDP versus 250W for the RTX 5070, a difference of 100W. For the RTX 3090, a quality 850W PSU is recommended. The RTX 5070's significantly lower power draw also means less heat output, which matters in smaller cases or warmer climates. The RTX 5070 uses a 1x 16-pin connector while the RTX 3090 needs 2x 8-pin.
How many FPS can I expect from the RTX 5070 vs RTX 3090?
Exact FPS varies by game and settings, but based on our gaming benchmark scores (RTX 5070: 63/100, RTX 3090: 49/100), the RTX 5070 typically delivers 29% more frames than the RTX 3090 at the same resolution and settings. In popular titles at 1440p, the RTX 5070 with its 30.9 TFLOPS of compute power and 672 GB/s memory bandwidth pushes well above 60 FPS. Enabling DLSS 4 upscaling can boost that by another 30-50% with minimal visual quality loss.