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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →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 2–4% lower performance depending on resolution; a separate comparison found most differences around 1–2%, with one larger outlier. The results point to a small average gap, not a guaranteed fixed loss for every game or system.
What is different between the RTX 4070 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 announced in 2023 used 12 GB of GDDR6X. See NVIDIA’s current RTX 4070 family specifications and its original RTX 4070 announcement.
Contemporary reporting gives the GDDR6 configuration a 20 Gbps data rate and the GDDR6X configuration a 21 Gbps data rate. With the same 192-bit bus, ComputerBase reported bandwidth of 480 GB/s versus 504 GB/s, respectively. That is about 5% less raw memory bandwidth for GDDR6, but it does not mean games run 5% slower: measured frame-rate differences were smaller on average and varied by title and resolution.
How much slower is the RTX 4070 GDDR6 in games?
TechSpot’s 12-game comparison
TechSpot compared a Gigabyte RTX 4070 GDDR6 OC with existing RTX 4070 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 test system used an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Windows 11 and NVIDIA Game Ready Driver 560.94.
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- Integrated with 12GB GDDR6X 192-bit memory interface
Across its 12-game average, the GDDR6 card was 4% slower at 1080p, 3% slower at 1440p and 2% slower at 4K. In individual 1440p results, TechSpot found a 5% deficit in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty and 4% in both Dying Light 2 and A Plague Tale: Requiem. It also reported very similar total system power consumption. These are results from that review’s samples and setup, not a guarantee for every RTX 4070 model. Read TechSpot’s RTX 4070 GDDR6 testing.
Another comparison found mostly smaller differences—and one outlier
In a separate comparison summarized by ComputerBase on September 12, 2024, most game differences were described as around 1–2% or within measurement tolerance. The summary identified Metro Exodus on the Extreme preset as an outlier, with a difference reaching 10%. That comparison used a different card sample and game set, so its results should not be averaged together with TechSpot’s. See ComputerBase’s summary of the comparison.
Rank #2
- 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
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Taken together, these tests support “broadly similar” rather than “the same.” A small average deficit is measurable in some testing, while a particular game can show a larger difference. The available results do not establish one universal percentage loss across all games, cards or systems.
Does RTX 4070 GDDR6 make a difference in games?
Usually, the difference shown in the cited averages is modest. TechSpot’s 2–4% average gap is a review result, not a promise that every game will fall within that range. Its examples and the separate Metro Exodus result show why it is useful to check benchmarks for the games and resolution you care about. The lower bandwidth figure alone cannot predict the frame-rate gap: games do not all respond to memory bandwidth in the same way.
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- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4
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What should you check before buying?
- Confirm the memory type on the exact card listing. “RTX 4070” by itself does not tell you whether the board has GDDR6 or GDDR6X; NVIDIA’s family page includes both variants.
- Compare the exact board model. Assess price, cooling, noise and warranty separately from the memory type. The cited tests do not establish current prices or availability.
- Use the games and resolution you actually play as your guide. If the prices are otherwise equal, TechSpot’s test indicates a small average advantage for GDDR6X, but the practical gap depends on the game and resolution.
- Weigh any price difference against the measured gap. If the GDDR6 card is materially cheaper or is the available option, the cited comparisons show a modest overall gaming difference, though not an identical result in every title.
NVIDIA’s stated reason for introducing the GDDR6 configuration was to improve supply and availability amid strong demand, according to Tom’s Hardware’s August 20, 2024 report. That is NVIDIA’s explanation as reported by the publication, not independent verification of supply conditions. The report also described NVIDIA’s performance positioning; it should not replace the independent benchmark results above. See Tom’s Hardware’s report on the GDDR6 RTX 4070.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Supported technology: Support for Nvidia DLSS 3, DLSS 2, ultra-efficient Ada Lovelace arc, full-beam tracking, NVIDIA Reflex, GeForce Experience and all NVIDIA Studio applications
- Core & Clocks: Boost Clock 2490 MHz, Memory Size 12GB, Memory Type GDDR6X, Memory Bus 192-bit
- Cooling: Windforce cooling system, 3 x 80 mm unique blade fans, Alternative spinning, screen cooling, Graphene Nano lubricant extends the life of the sleeve bearing fan and it is quieter than ball bearings.
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- I/O and Connectivity: PCIE 4.0, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1 x HDMI 2.1a, DirectX 12 Ultimate
Rank #4
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- Integrated with 12GB GDDR6X 192-bit memory interface
- WINDFORCE cooling system
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