The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 made waves when it came out. It was almost as fast as the TITAN X but cost way less. It uses the Pascal design with a 16nm build. This card gives you more bang for your buck than most. Tests show the GTX 1070 is about 85% as fast as the GTX 1080 but costs only 63% as much! So, how good is this card today? Should you buy it for your gaming PC in 2025? Let’s look at what this GPU can do.
Key Specs and Features of the GTX 1070
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 stands out with its Pascal architecture, which made it a game-changer when released. Even in 2025, these specs show why many gamers still look for this card on the used market. The GTX 1070’s core features give it staying power in an age of fast-moving tech. Let’s break down what makes this NVIDIA GPU tick and why it remains relevant for budget gaming rigs today.
- Design and Build
- Pascal design with 16nm FinFET process
- 1920 CUDA cores for fast gaming
- GP104 GPU chip with 7.2 billion transistors
- PCIe 3.0 x16 interface for quick data flow
- Memory and Speed
- 8GB GDDR5 memory for smooth gameplay
- 256-bit memory path for good data flow
- 256.3 GB/s memory speed
- 8 Gbps effective memory clock
- Clock Speeds and Power
- Base speed: 1506 MHz for steady play
- Top speed: up to 1683 MHz when pushed
- It can go up to 1860 MHz in OC mode with good cooling
- Power use: 145W normal, up to 186W max
- It needs a 500W power box with an 8-pin plug
- Ports and Tech
- 3x DisplayPort 1.4 for crisp screens
- 1x HDMI 2.0b for 4K TVs
- 1x DL-DVI-D for older screens
- Runs screens up to 7680×4320 at 60Hz
- Works with G-Sync for smooth play
- NVIDIA Ansel for game photos
- GPU Boost 3.0 for extra speed
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 (Pascal) |
| CUDA Cores | 1920 |
| Memory | 8GB GDDR5 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit |
| Memory Speed | 8 Gbps |
| Base Clock | 1506 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1683 MHz |
| TDP | 150W |
| Power Connector | 1x 8-pin |
| Process | 16nm FinFET |
| Transistors | 7.2 billion |
| DirectX | 12.1 |
| Vulkan | 1.1 |
GTX 1070 vs. Other Graphics Cards
The graphics card world moves fast, but how does the GTX 1070 stack up in 2025? Even as newer cards flood the market, many budget gamers still ask if this Pascal powerhouse offers good value. Comparing the GTX 1070 to its siblings and newer budget options helps show where it fits today’s gaming landscape. The price-to-performance ratio remains key for smart shoppers looking at used market options.
GTX 1070 vs. GTX 1080
- Speed Gap
- GTX 1080 is 15-25% faster in most games
- 1080p difference is less noticeable
- 4K gaming shows bigger gap
- GTX 1070 handles 1440p well despite gap
- Hardware Differences
- CUDA cores: 1920 (1070) vs. 2560 (1080)
- Memory type: GDDR5 (1070) vs. faster GDDR5X (1080)
- Memory bandwidth: 256.3 GB/s vs. 320.3 GB/s
- Clock speeds: lower on GTX 1070 but good OC room
- Value and Use Cases
- GTX 1070 better value for 1080p/1440p gaming
- GTX 1080 is better for 4K but costs much more
- Used market price gap often makes 1070 smarter buy
- Power use is lower on 1070 (145W vs 180W typical)
| Game | GTX 1070 (1440p) | GTX 1080 (1440p) | Performance Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 48 FPS | 62 FPS | +29% |
| GTA V | 76 FPS | 93 FPS | +22% |
| Rainbow Six Siege | 134 FPS | 155 FPS | +16% |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 52 FPS | 64 FPS | +23% |
| Fortnite | 112 FPS | 132 FPS | +18% |
GTX 1070 vs. GTX 970
- Design Leap
- New Pascal design vs older Maxwell
- 16nm vs. 28nm build process
- Much better power use per watt
- Huge boost in VR ability
- Performance Jump
- 38-44% faster at 1080p games
- 49% faster at 1440p games
- 29% faster at 4K (though both struggle)
- It is much smoother in newer games
- Memory and Features
- 8GB vs. 4GB VRAM (huge for modern games)
- More CUDA cores (1920 vs. 1664)
- Higher clock speeds aid performance
- Better DX12 and Vulkan support
| Feature | GTX 1070 | GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Pascal | Maxwell 2.0 |
| Process | 16nm | 28nm |
| CUDA Cores | 1920 | 1664 |
| Memory | 8GB GDDR5 | 4GB GDDR5 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 256-bit* |
| TDP | 150W | 145W |
| Release Price | $379 | $329 |
*GTX 970 had a split memory configuration with slower access to 0.5GB of its memory
GTX 1070 vs. New Budget GPUs
- Value in 2025
- Used GTX 1070 costs $90-130 now
- New budget cards often cost $200-250
- Performance per dollar is still strong
- Lacks new tech like ray tracing and DLSS
- Feature Gaps
- Newer cards have basic ray tracing
- Missing DLSS/FSR 3.0 for frame boost
- Higher power use than new 5nm/4nm cards
- Less driver support for the newest games
- Where GTX 1070 Still Wins
- Often better raw power than new $200 cards
- 8GB VRAM is still enough for most games
- Mature drivers with few bugs
- Great for 1080p gaming on a tight budget
Also Read: Which is better, NVIDIA GTX or RTX?
Gaming Performance
The GTX 1070 launched as a high-end card but now sits firmly in the budget gaming space in 2025. How well can this aging Pascal chip handle today’s games? While newer titles push graphics tech forward, many gamers find the GTX 1070 still delivers solid frame rates at the correct settings. Understanding where this card shines and where it struggles helps gamers decide if it meets their needs without breaking the bank.
1080p Gaming Speed
- High Settings Performance
- Most esports titles run at 100+ FPS
- AAA games from 2023-2025 run at 60+ FPS on High
- Older AAA titles (pre-2023) run at 80+ FPS on Ultra
- Very few modern games need settings below Medium
- Competitive Gaming
- CS2: 220+ FPS at competitive settings
- Valorant: 200+ FPS for fast play
- Fortnite: 120+ FPS with competitive settings
- Apex Legends: 100+ FPS with tuned settings
- Newest AAA Titles
- Most 2025 games run at 50-60 FPS on Medium
- You may need FSR or other scaling tech for the best results
- Some very demanding games may dip below 60 FPS
- Still playable in nearly all cases
| Game | Ultra Settings | High Settings | Medium Settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| CS2 | 180 FPS | 220 FPS | 300+ FPS |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 42 FPS | 58 FPS | 72 FPS |
| Forza Horizon 5 | 65 FPS | 78 FPS | 92 FPS |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III | 58 FPS | 72 FPS | 91 FPS |
| Valorant | 180 FPS | 220 FPS | 300+ FPS |
| Assassin’s Creed (2025) | 37 FPS | 52 FPS | 68 FPS |
1440p Gaming Speed
- Sweet Spot Settings
- Most pre-2023 games: High/Medium at 60+ FPS
- Esports titles: 100+ FPS in competitive settings
- 2024-2025 AAA games: Medium/Low at 40-60 FPS
- Often needs FSR/NIS for best frame rates
- Game Types That Work Best
- Strategy games run very well (low FPS needs)
- MMOs perform smoothly at med/high
- Third-person action games maintain good speed
- Some newer shooters need settings tweaks
- Monitor Pairing
- Best with 1440p/75Hz monitors
- Can drive 1440p/144Hz in less demanding games
- FreeSync/G-Sync helps smooth dips
- Good for dual-screen setups
| Game | Ultra Settings | High Settings | Medium Settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| CS2 | 120 FPS | 145 FPS | 180+ FPS |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 28 FPS | 38 FPS | 48 FPS |
| Forza Horizon 5 | 42 FPS | 53 FPS | 67 FPS |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III | 39 FPS | 51 FPS | 65 FPS |
| Valorant | 110 FPS | 140 FPS | 170+ FPS |
| Assassin’s Creed (2025) | 24 FPS | 34 FPS | 46 FPS |
4K Gaming Capabilities
- Setting Expectations
- Most new AAA games: 25-30 FPS at Medium/Low
- Older games (pre-2021): 30-45 FPS at Medium
- Esports/less demanding: 60+ FPS possible
- Often needs game scaling or FSR help
- Games That Run Well
- Older titles like DOOM (2016) run smoothly
- Less demanding games like Rocket League hit 60 FPS
- Strategy and MMOs are often playable
- Indie games typically have no problem
- Recommended Approach
- Use FSR/NIS upscaling when available
- Target 30 FPS for newer AAA games
- Consider 1800p as a middle ground
- Better suited as a secondary 4K card for media
| Game | Ultra Settings | High Settings | Medium/Low Settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| CS2 | 45 FPS | 60 FPS | 90 FPS |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 15 FPS | 22 FPS | 28 FPS |
| Forza Horizon 5 | 25 FPS | 32 FPS | 42 FPS |
| Older Games (2018-2020) | 28-35 FPS | 35-45 FPS | 40-55 FPS |
| Esports Titles | 40-60 FPS | 55-80 FPS | 70-110 FPS |
VR Performance
Virtual reality demands consistently high frame rates to prevent motion sickness, making GPU selection crucial. The GTX 1070 was once a VR champion, but how does it hold up in 2025 with newer headsets and more complex VR worlds? While not top-tier anymore, this Pascal card still offers entry into virtual reality gaming without spending big on the latest hardware. Let’s see what VR experience the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 can deliver today.
VR Headset Support
- Compatible Headsets
- Works well with Oculus Rift/Rift S
- Good for HTC Vive and original Vive Pro
- Can run Valve Index (may need lower refresh rate)
- Struggles with newest high-res headsets
- Refresh Rate Capabilities
- Handles 90Hz on most older headsets
- Can do 120Hz in simpler games/experiences
- You may need 80Hz mode for smoother play
- Reprojection often needed for 120Hz+ headsets
- Resolution Support
- Best with first-gen headset resolutions
- Can drive higher-res headsets at lower settings
- We may need resolution scaling for newer models
- Quest 2/3 via link works with quality adjustments
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 VR Headset Compatibility (2025)
| VR Headset | Resolution | Best Refresh Rate | Performance Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oculus Rift | 2160×1200 | 90Hz | Excellent, runs most games at high |
| HTC Vive | 2160×1200 | 90Hz | Performancermance at high settings |
| Oculus Rift S | 2560×1440 | 80Hz | Good with some settings tweaks |
| Valve Index | 2880×1600 | 90Hz | It works but may need medium settings |
| Quest 2 (Link) | 3664×1920 | 72Hz | Needs resolution scaling |
| Quest 3 (Link) | 4128×2208 | 72Hz | Significant quality reduction is needed |
| Newer Headsets (2024+) | 4K+ per eye | Not recommended | Too demanding for consistent FPS |
VR Games Performance
- Well-Optimized Games
- Beat Saber runs perfectly, even on higher settings
- Job Simulator plays with no issues
- Superhot VR works flawlessly
- Moss and similar titles run smoothly
- More Demanding Titles
- Half-Life: Alyx runs on Low/Medium with some stutter
- Boneworks needs Low settings for stable play
- Flight Simulator 2024 requires minimum settings
- Newer AAA VR games may struggle
- Setting Adjustments
- Lower render resolution to 80-90%
- Disable dynamic shadows where possible
- Reduce draw distance in open-world games
- Use motion smoothing/reprojection
| VR Game | Performance | Recommended Settings |
|---|---|---|
| Beat Saber | 90+ FPS | High/Ultra |
| Half-Life: Alyx | 60-90 FPS | Low/Medium |
| VRChat | 50-90 FPS | Medium with reduced avatars |
| Boneworks | 60-80 FPS | Low/Medium |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator | 45-60 FPS | Low with reprojection |
| Pavlov VR | 70-90 FPS | Medium |
| VR Chat | 45-90 FPS | Low with custom safety |
Also Read: AMD Radeon RX 480 Review: Looking Back at a Budget Gaming Legend (2025)
High-Res VR Settings
- Supersampling Limits
- You can use 100-120% in simpler games
- Best to stay at 80-100% for most titles
- You may need 70-80% in the newest games
- SteamVR auto resolution works well
- Visual Trade-offs
- Anti-aliasing imPerformancermance heavily
- Shadow quality often first setting to lower
- Texture quality can stay higher (8GB VRAM helps)
- Post-processing effects best kept minimal
- Performance Tools
- Oculus Debug Tool for Oculus headsets
- SteamVR resolution scaling for Valve headsets
- fps VR to monitor frame timing
- OpenVR Advanced Settings for fine control
Power Use and Heat
Understanding the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070’s power profile helps build a balanced system without spending extra on oversized power supplies. In 2025, as electricity costs rise, efficiency becomes even more critical for gamers on a budget. The Pascal architecture’s efficiency was revolutionary at launch and still holds up well today. In modern gaming scenarios, let’s look at how the GTX 1070 handles power and .heat
Power Needs
- Power States
- Idle: 6-10W for desktop use
- Light gaming: 80-120W
- Full gaming load: 145W average
- Peak use: up to 186W in stress tests
- Multi-monitor adds 5-10W at idle
- Power Supply Needs
- 500W PSU recommended by NVIDIA
- 450W works with efficient systems
- 550W+ better with overclocking
- It needs one 8-pin power connector
- Quality matters more than extra watts
- Efficiency Comparison
- More efficient than GTX 970/980
- Less efficient than RTX 3060/2060
- Similar power use to the RX 580Performancermance per watt for its age
| Usage Scenario | Power Draw | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop Idle | 6-10W | Single monitor |
| Multi-Monitor Idle | 15-20W | 2+ displays |
| Media Playback | 30-45W | 4K video |
| Light Gaming | 80-120W | Older/simple games |
| AAA Gaming | 145-160W | Typical max load |
| Stress Testing | 170-186W | Worst case scenario |
| Overclocked Gaming | 160-190W | With voltage increase |
Cooling and Heat
- Reference Cooler
- The blower design gets loud under load
- Keeps card under 83°C but throttles
- Good for small cases with poor airflow
- Fan noise is noticeable above 65% speed
- Aftermarket Designs
- ASUS ROG Strix has excellent cooling
- MSI Gaming X stays under 70°C
- EVGA FTW has good thermal pads
- Dual/triple fan designs are much quieter
- Thermal Behavior
- Starts throttling around 83°C
- Target temp typically 79-83°C
- Modern cases improve airflow and temps
- Thermal paste replacement helps older cards
| GTX 1070 Model | Load Temp | Noise Level | Fan Design | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA Founders | 80-83°C | Loud | Single Blower | Throttles under load |
| ASUS ROG Strix | 65-70°C | Quiet | Triple Fan | Great cooling |
| MSI Gaming X | 68-72°C | Moderate | Dual Fan | Good balance |
| EVGA SC/FTW | 70-75°C | Moderate | Dual Fan | Good overclocking |
| Gigabyte G1 Gaming | 72-76°C | Moderate | Triple Fan | Solid performer |
| Zotac AMP! | 74-78°C | Moderate-Loud | Dual Fan | Compact design |
Also Read: Top 10 PC Cases for Superior RTX 4070 Cooling in 2024
Speed Boost Room
- Typical Overclocking Results
- Core: +150 to +200 MHz boost
- Memory: +400 to +600 MHz
- Performance gain: 5-15% in games
- Silicon lottery affects results
- Voltage and Power Effects
- Higher voltage increases heat quickly
- Power limit is often the main bottleneck
- Custom BIOS can raise the power limit
- Extra power means more heat to manage
- Cooling Impact
- Better cooling = higher stable clocks
- Aftermarket coolers allow higher OC
- Case airflow makes a big difference
- Custom water cooling is best for maximum OC
| Setting | Stock | Safe OC | Aggressive OC | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Clock | 1683 MHz | 1850-1900 MHz | 1950-2100 MHz | 5-10% more FPS |
| Memory Clock | 8000 MHz | 8800-9000 MHz | 9200-9600 MHz | 3-8% more FPS |
| Power Limit | 100% | 112-120% | 120-130% | Enables stability |
| Voltage | Stock | Stock or +25mV | +50-100mV | Enables higher clocks |
| Temperature | 75-83°C | 70-80°C | 65-75°C | Better cooling needed |
| Performance Gain | Baseline | 7-12% | 10-15% | Game dependent |
Is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Still Worth It in 2025?
The GPU market has changed dramatically since the GTX 1070’s release, with multiple generations of cards now available. In 2025, budget-conscious gamers must weigh the benefits of older hardware against newer, often more expensive options. The GTX 1070’s position in today’s market depends on your gaming needs, budget constraints, and what features matter most to you. Let’s explore if this Pascal card deserves a spot in your gaming rig this year.
Value Check
- Current Market Prices
- Used market: $90-130 for standard models
- Better models (ASUS Strix, EVGA FTW): $110-150
- New old stock (rare): $200-250
- Prices stable after years of drops
- New vs. Used Considerations
- Used cars may have a mining history
- There is no warranty on most used cards
- New cards have the latest tech but cost more
- Used GTX 1070 often beats new $200 cards
- Price to Performance Ratio
- Still excellent value at $100
- It beats many new sub-$200 cards
- Better value than the GTX 1660 series at similar prices
- RX 6600 offers better value if found under $180
| GPU Model | Used Price | New PricePerformance | ormance | Performancermance | Value Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTX 1070 | $90-130 | N/A | Good | Decent | Excellent |
| RTX 3050 | $120-150 | $180-220 | Decent | Poor | Good |
| RX 6600 | $130-170 | $180-220 | Very Good | Good | Very Good |
| GTX 1660 Super | $90-120 | N/A | Good | Poor | Very Good |
| RTX 2060 | $120-160 | N/A | Good | Decent | Very Good |
| RTX 4060 | $200-240 | $300-330 | Excellent | Very Good | Good |
Also Read: AMD Radeon RX 480 Review: Looking Back at a Budget Gaming Legend (2025)
Future Use
- Gaming Technology Support
- No hardware ray tracing
- No DLSS support (lacks tensor cores)
- Has basic DirectX 12 support
- Good Vulkan support for newer games
- Driver Support Status
- It still gets regular driver updates from NVIDIA
- May lose optimizations for the newest games
- Security updates continue
- Expected support through 2026
- Game Compatibility Outlook
- Most 2025 games run at Medium/Low 1080p
- 2026+ games may need the lowest settings
- Some newer titles may have stuttering issues
- Indie and esports games still run great
| Feature | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Updates | ✓ Supported | Regular updates are still available |
| Game Optimizations | ⚠️ Limited | Not priority for newest titles |
| DX12 Support | ✓ Supported | Features limited to DX12.1 |
| Vulkan Support | ✓ Good | It runs Vulkan 1.1 titles well |
| Ray Tracing | ✗ Not Supported | No hardware acceleration |
| DLSS/Frame Generation | ✗ Not Supported | No tensor cores |
| FSR Support | ✓ Supported | Works with AMD’s open solution |
| Windows 11 | ✓ Fully Compatible | No issues with the latest OS |
| Future Games (2025+) | ⚠️ Limited | It will run but at lower settings |
Best Uses
- Budget Gaming Builds
- Perfect for $500-600 total PC builds
- Pairs well with i5-10400F or Ryzen 5 3600
- Good starter card for new gamers
- Low price leaves budget for other components
- 1080p/1440p Gaming Focus
- Excellent 1080p/60fps card for most games
- Capable 1440p card with settings tweaks
- Works well with adaptive sync monitors
- Great for popular esports titles
- Content Creation and Productivity
- Decent for 1080p video editing
- Handles Photoshop and Lightroom well
- Good for streaming older games
- CUDA acceleration for supported apps
| Use Case | Suitability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p Gaming | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | Great at high/medium settings |
| 1440p Gaming | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) | Good with settings tweaks |
| 4K Gaming | ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) | Struggles except in older games |
| Esports Gaming | ★★★★★ (5/5) | Excellent for competitive titles |
| VR (Older Headsets) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | Works well with first-gen VR |
| VR (Newer Headsets) | ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) | Struggles with high resolutions |
| Video Editing | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) | Good for 1080p, struggles with 4K |
| 3D Modeling | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) | It works, but newer cards are much faster |
| Game Streaming | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) | Fine for older games |
| Deep Learning | ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) | Limited by VRAM and compute |
Wrapping Up
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 is still a solid card in 2025. It plays games well at 1080p and 1440p. It has a hard time with 4K games, but its mix of speed, power use, and price (if you buy used) makes it suitable for gamers who don’t want to spend too much. As new tech emerges, the GTX 1070 stays a smart pick for those who want good value but still want to play most games. If you’re building a new cheap PC or making an old one better, think about this card—know it might not play the newest, most demanding games at max settings.
Few cards offer thPerformanceormance for around $100 on the used market. The GTX 1070 easily handles esports titles and runs most AAA games at medium settings, even in 2025. While it lacks newer features like ray tracing and DLSS, its raw power still delivers where it counts most—smooth gameplay at the resolutions most people use. As a budget option or stopgap until GPU prices drop further, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 remains a worthy contender in the value segment of the graphics card market.
