The RTX 4070 with GDDR6 is generally close to the GDDR6X version in gaming, but it is not identical in every game. In TechSpot’s 12-game comparison, the GDDR6 card averaged 4% slower at 1080p, 3% slower at 1440p and 2% slower at 4K. A separate comparison summarized by ComputerBase found most game differences around 1–2% or within measurement tolerance, with one larger outlier.
What differs between the RTX 4070 memory versions?
NVIDIA lists the RTX 4070 with either 12 GB of GDDR6 or 12 GB of GDDR6X memory, both on a 192-bit memory interface. The original RTX 4070 launch configuration used GDDR6X. Check the exact board listing rather than relying on the RTX 4070 name alone: NVIDIA’s RTX 4070 Family specifications show both memory options, while NVIDIA’s 2023 launch announcement documents the original GDDR6X configuration.
Contemporary reporting gives the GDDR6 configuration a 20 Gbps data rate and the GDDR6X configuration a 21 Gbps data rate. On the same 192-bit bus, that works out to 480 GB/s versus 504 GB/s—about 5% less raw bandwidth for GDDR6. That bandwidth difference does not translate directly into the same FPS loss; measured game results vary by title, resolution and test setup. ComputerBase’s September 2024 summary reports the bandwidth figures.
Is the RTX 4070 GDDR6 slower in games?
In the cited tests, yes, it can be—but the average difference was modest. TechSpot compared a Gigabyte RTX 4070 GDDR6 OC with existing Founders Edition GDDR6X results. The outlet said the cards’ core clock speeds were essentially the same, making memory speed the key difference in its comparison. Its setup used an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Windows 11 and NVIDIA Game Ready Driver 560.94.
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#1 Best Overall
- Powered by NVIDIA DLSS 3, ultra-efficient Ada Lovelace architechture, and full ray tracing
- 4th Generation Tensor Cores: Up to 4x performance with DLSS 3
- 3rd Generation RT Cores: Up to 2x ray tracing performance
- Powered by GeForce RTX 4070
- Integrated with 12GB GDDR6X 192-bit memory interface
| TechSpot result | GDDR6 performance difference |
|---|---|
| 12-game average at 1080p | 4% slower |
| 12-game average at 1440p | 3% slower |
| 12-game average at 4K | 2% slower |
| Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty at 1440p | 5% slower |
| Dying Light 2 | 4% slower |
| A Plague Tale: Requiem | 4% slower |
These are results from TechSpot’s 2024 comparison, not guaranteed differences for every RTX 4070 model or system. The outlet also reported very similar total system power consumption. See the TechSpot RTX 4070 GDDR6 review for its test details.
A separate comparison found a larger game-specific outlier
ComputerBase’s September 12, 2024 article summarized WCCFTech’s comparison of a Galax RTX 4070 OC 2X GDDR6 with a GDDR6X RTX 4070. It described most title-level differences as about 1–2% or within measurement tolerance, while Metro Exodus on the Extreme preset was an outlier with a difference reaching 10%. This was a different card sample and game set from TechSpot’s test, so its results should not be pooled with TechSpot’s averages.
Rank #2
- AI Performance: 767 AI TOPS
- OC mode: 2632 MHz (OC mode)/ 2602 MHz (Default mode)
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4
- Axial-tech fan design features a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure
- A 2.5-slot design maximizes compatibility and cooling efficiency for superior performance in small chassis
Does RTX 4070 GDDR6 make a difference in games?
For the cited comparisons, the practical effect was usually small, but it was not zero across the board. TechSpot measured a somewhat larger average gap at 1080p than at 4K, while ComputerBase’s summary shows that an individual title can depart from the typical small difference. It is therefore more accurate to say the cards perform broadly similarly than to claim they perform exactly the same—or that GDDR6 always costs a fixed percentage of performance.
The bandwidth specification helps explain why a difference is possible, but it is not a direct FPS forecast. Games and test conditions do not use memory bandwidth in the same way, and the cited review results show smaller average gaming losses than the roughly 5% raw bandwidth reduction.
Rank #3
- Powered by NVIDIA DLSS 3, ultra-efficient Ada Lovelace arch, and full ray tracing
- Boost Clock 2475 MHz, 12GB GDDR6X, 192-bit, 21 Gbps, PCIE 4.0
- IceStorm 2.0 Advanced Cooling, SPECTRA RGB Lighting, 2x 90mm fans, FREEZE Fan Stop, Active Fan Control, Metal Backplate
- 8K Ready, 4 Display Ready, HDCP 2.3, VR Ready
- 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1 x HDMI 2.1a, DirectX 12 Ultimate, Vulkan RT API, Vulkan 1.3, OpenGL 4.6
Which RTX 4070 version should you buy?
- Confirm the memory type. Check the exact manufacturer and board model listing for GDDR6 or GDDR6X; the RTX 4070 family name does not distinguish them.
- Compare the whole card and price. Consider the exact board model, asking price, cooling and noise reviews, and warranty—not memory type alone. Current prices and availability were not checked for this article.
- If prices are equal, TechSpot’s results indicate a small average gaming advantage for GDDR6X in its test. The size depends on the game and resolution.
- If the GDDR6 card costs materially less or is the available option, the cited comparisons suggest its overall gaming performance remains close to GDDR6X, although a particular game may show a larger gap.
NVIDIA’s stated reason for introducing the GDDR6 configuration was to improve supply and availability amid strong demand, as reported by Tom’s Hardware on August 20, 2024. That is NVIDIA’s reported explanation, not an independently verified account of market supply.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Powered by NVIDIA DLSS3, ultra-efficient Ada Lovelace architecture, and full ray tracing.
- 4th Generation Tensor Cores: Up to 4x performance with DLSS 3 vs. brute force rendering
- OC mode: 2550 MHz / Default Mode: 2520 MHz
- Axial-tech fan design features a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure.
- A 2.55 slot design maximizes compatibility and cooling efficiency for superior performance in small chassis.
Rank #4
- Powered by GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER
- Integrated with 12GB GDDR6X 192-bit memory interface
- WINDFORCE cooling system
- Graphene nano lubricant
- Protection metal back plate
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