RTX 3070 vs 4070
When you’re weighing the 3070 vs 4070 for a mining rig, the answer isn’t as simple as “new is always better.” It really comes down to your strategy. The RTX 3070 is still a powerhouse for specific algorithms where efficiency is king, making it a great pick if you’re focused on keeping your power bill low. But the RTX 4070, with its newer architecture, flexes its muscles on modern, core-intensive coins, positioning it as a more versatile and future-proof card for the long game.
This guide will break down the key differences in hashrate, efficiency, and profitability to help you decide which GPU is the right investment for your mining goals.
The Miner’s Verdict: RTX 3070 vs RTX 4070
For miners, the choice between an NVIDIA RTX 3070 and an RTX 4070 boils down to your electricity costs and what coins you’re targeting. The older RTX 3070, built on the solid Ampere architecture, earned its stripes for being incredibly efficient, especially on memory-heavy algorithms. It’s a reliable workhorse that can still turn a decent profit, provided you can find one for the right price and your power rates are reasonable.
On the other hand, the RTX 4070 is a different beast entirely. It’s built on the newer Ada Lovelace architecture, and that generational leap makes a real difference. While its performance on some older algorithms might look similar to the 3070 at first glance, its true power comes out on newer proof-of-work coins that lean heavily on core processing.
This makes the 4070 a far more adaptable investment. It’s better equipped to pivot to whatever new coin becomes profitable as the crypto landscape shifts. Plus, its 12GB VRAM buffer is a huge advantage, giving it the longevity needed as DAG file sizes for many coins continue to swell.
Core Specification Showdown
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of hashrates and power draw, let’s look at the hardware specs. These numbers are what drive the performance differences you’ll see in the real world. The table below offers a quick look at the key metrics for both GPUs, highlighting the architectural and memory differences that matter most for mining.
Key Mining Metrics: RTX 3070 vs RTX 4070
| Metric | NVIDIA RTX 3070 | NVIDIA RTX 4070 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace | RTX 4070 |
| CUDA Cores | 5,888 | 5,888 | Tie |
| Memory | 8GB GDDR6 | 12GB GDDR6X | RTX 4070 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 448 GB/s | 504 GB/s | RTX 4070 |
| TDP | 220W | 200W | RTX 4070 |
As you can see, the RTX 4070 isn’t just an iterative update. The switch to faster GDDR6X memory, a larger VRAM buffer, and a more efficient architecture that delivers more performance from a lower power budget are all significant wins.
Key Takeaway: Picking between the 3070 and 4070 is a strategic call. Do you go with the proven efficiency and lower upfront cost of the 3070? Or do you invest in the raw power, flexibility, and future-readiness of the 4070? Your answer will depend entirely on your mining goals and operational costs.
Comparing Hashrate Performance Across Key Algorithms
When you’re weighing the 3070 vs 4070 for a mining rig, hashrate is king. But it’s never just one number. A GPU’s real-world performance is deeply tied to the specific proof-of-work algorithm you throw at it. The architectural divide between the 3070’s Ampere and the 4070’s Ada Lovelace design creates some pretty clear winners and losers, depending on whether an algorithm hammers the memory or the core.
Here’s what you need to know:
- The RTX 3070 has long been a favorite for its exceptional performance on memory-bound algorithms. Its GDDR6 memory system is incredibly efficient and can be tuned to deliver fantastic results without guzzling power.
- The RTX 4070 brings more advanced cores, a beefier cache, and faster GDDR6X memory to the table. This gives it a significant leg up on newer, more complex algorithms that lean heavily on raw computational muscle.
This chart gives you a quick visual breakdown of where each card stands in terms of raw hashrate and overall efficiency.
As you can see, the 4070 clearly dominates in raw hashing power. But the chart also shows just how competitive the 3070 remains on the efficiency front, which is really the core trade-off between these two GPUs.
KawPow Performance (Ravencoin)
The KawPow algorithm, the backbone of Ravencoin (RVN), is a perfect test case. It’s a core-heavy workload but also puts a good amount of stress on the memory subsystem—a classic ASIC-resistant design that favors consumer GPUs.
This is where the RTX 4070 really starts to flex its muscles. Its higher clock speeds and more efficient architecture let it muscle through the hashing operations much faster than the RTX 3070 can manage.
- RTX 3070: With the right tuning, you’re looking at around 28-30 MH/s on KawPow.
- RTX 4070: This card pushes well into the 35-38 MH/s range, giving it a solid 20-25% performance lead.
That gap is a direct result of the architectural upgrades in the 4070. It shows how those improvements translate directly into better throughput on algorithms that need a bit of everything.
Autolykos2 Performance (Ergo)
Now for a different story. Autolykos2, the algorithm behind Ergo (ERG), is notoriously memory-hard. It’s built to reward GPUs with high memory bandwidth and low-latency access. And surprisingly, this is where the older RTX 3070 still puts up a serious fight.
Even though the RTX 4070 has more theoretical memory bandwidth (504 GB/s vs. the 3070’s 448 GB/s), the real-world performance difference after tuning is often surprisingly small. The 3070’s memory controller is just exceptionally well-matched for this kind of work.
Key Takeaway: The RTX 4070 might win on paper, but the RTX 3070’s performance-per-dollar on Autolykos2 is often better, especially if you can snag a used card for a good price. It’s a textbook example of why newer doesn’t automatically mean better for every coin out there.
Algorithm Hashrate Benchmarks: 3070 vs 4070
To put it all in perspective, here’s a side-by-side look at the hashrates you can realistically expect from each card. These numbers assume you’ve taken the time to apply optimized overclock and undervolt settings, which is essential for any serious mining operation.
| Algorithm (Coin) | RTX 3070 Hashrate | RTX 4070 Hashrate | Performance Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| KawPow (Ravencoin) | ~29 MH/s | ~36 MH/s | RTX 4070 |
| Autolykos2 (Ergo) | ~130 MH/s | ~135 MH/s | Tie / RTX 4070 |
| ZHash (Zcash) | ~120 Sol/s | ~155 Sol/s | RTX 4070 |
| BeamV3 (Beam) | ~30 Sol/s | ~34 Sol/s | RTX 4070 |
The data tells a pretty clear story. The RTX 3070 is still a very capable card, especially on memory-centric algorithms where its efficiency is a huge plus. However, the RTX 4070’s superior architecture gives it a decisive raw performance advantage across the board on newer, more demanding algorithms. It’s simply the more powerful and future-proof option.
Power Consumption and Mining Efficiency Analysis
Hashrate numbers might grab your attention, but they only tell you half of the story. The real litmus test for any mining GPU is its efficiency—how much hashing power you get for every single watt pulled from the wall. When we put the 3070 vs 4070 under the microscope, this is where their architectural differences really start to matter, creating clear winners depending on your strategy and electricity costs.
Out of the box, the RTX 4070 has a lower TDP at 200W compared to the RTX 3070’s 220W. That initial spec hints at better efficiency, and it often holds true for core-heavy workloads where the Ada Lovelace architecture flexes its muscles. But for miners, the real game begins with undervolting and tuning, a process that completely reshapes the power consumption landscape for both cards.
This is where the RTX 3070 built its rock-solid reputation. Its Ampere architecture is incredibly responsive to undervolting, letting miners aggressively slash power draw while keeping hashrates high on memory-dependent algorithms. For years, this card has been the go-to for finding that perfect balance between performance and low operational costs.
The Efficiency Divide: Memory vs. Core Algorithms
The algorithm you mine is the single most critical factor in determining which GPU is more efficient. Some algorithms hammer the GPU’s memory, while others demand raw core horsepower. This is precisely where the power profiles of the 3070 and 4070 diverge.
On memory-bound algorithms like Ethash, the RTX 3070 is legendary. Historical data from Minerstat shows a tuned RTX 3070 hitting a solid 61.79 MH/s while sipping just 117W. That works out to a fantastic efficiency of around 0.528 MH/s per watt. The RTX 4070, by contrast, manages 58.44 MH/s but at a much thirstier 170W, giving it a lower efficiency of roughly 0.344 MH/s per watt. In this specific matchup, the older 3070 is over 53% more efficient.
But the moment you switch to a core-intensive algorithm like kHeavyHash (Kaspa), the script flips entirely.
- RTX 3070: Tends to need 120-130W to maintain a stable hashrate on kHeavyHash.
- RTX 4070: Its modern architecture delivers a much higher hashrate while pulling less power, often settling in around 110-120W.
This reversal showcases the raw architectural superiority of the RTX 4070. It just gets more computational work done per watt, making it the undeniable efficiency champion for the newer generation of mining algorithms.
Key Takeaway: Your electricity cost is the ultimate tie-breaker. If you’re in a region with high energy prices (think over $0.15/kWh), the RTX 3070’s specialized efficiency can make it more profitable on certain coins. With cheap power, however, the 4070’s superior throughput will almost always win out.
Real-World Power Management and Profitability
Managing power draw isn’t just about tweaking software settings; it’s a fundamental part of your financial strategy. Lower power consumption means less heat, which in turn means your cooling systems don’t have to work as hard, cutting your total electricity bill even further.
Let’s look at how this plays out in a simplified comparison based on optimized, real-world mining tunes.
| Metric | RTX 3070 (Tuned) | RTX 4070 (Tuned) | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Draw (Ethash) | ~117W | ~170W | The 3070 is significantly more efficient here. |
| Power Draw (kHeavyHash) | ~125W | ~115W | The 4070 offers more hash for less power. |
| Heat Output | Lower | Higher (stock) | Lower power equals less heat and lower cooling costs. |
| Power Supply Needs | Less demanding | Needs a stable, quality PSU | A key factor when building out multi-GPU rigs. |
Ultimately, choosing between the 3070 vs 4070 on power and efficiency grounds comes down to your game plan. The RTX 3070 remains a hyper-efficient specialist for specific algorithms, making it a brilliant choice for miners who need to keep operational overhead to an absolute minimum. The RTX 4070, however, is the more versatile and forward-looking card, boasting superior efficiency on the modern algorithms that are shaping the future of GPU mining.
Optimal Overclock Settings for Mining
Stock performance is just the starting line in the 3070 vs 4070 mining debate. The real profitability comes from meticulous tuning. To get the most out of these cards, you have to roll up your sleeves and dive into overclocking and undervolting, hunting for that perfect balance between hashrate and power efficiency. With a tool like MSI Afterburner, miners can dial in specific “recipes” to maximize returns for any given algorithm.
These settings are never one-size-fits-all. A profile built for raw hashing power will look completely different from one tuned for peak efficiency, where the game is all about squeezing every last hash from each watt. Your own operational costs, especially your electricity rate, will dictate which path makes more sense for you.
RTX 3070 Tuning Recipes
The RTX 3070’s Ampere architecture is well-known for how well it responds to a combination of memory overclocks and core undervolts. For memory-heavy algorithms, the classic move is to crank up the memory clock while locking the core clock at a lower, stable voltage. This simple trick slashes power consumption without taking a big bite out of your hashrate.
Here are a few proven starting points for the RTX 3070:
| Algorithm | Profile Focus | Core Clock (MHz) | Memory Clock (MHz) | Power Limit (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| kHeavyHash | Efficiency | Lock @ 1450 | -502 | ~60% (130W) |
| Autolykos2 | Max Hashrate | -500 | +1300 | ~55% (120W) |
| KawPow | Balanced | +100 | +1100 | ~75% (165W) |
Think of these as a solid foundation. You’ll want to make small, incremental tweaks from here to find the absolute best settings for your specific card. The “silicon lottery” is a real thing, and it plays a huge role in stability. If you’re planning a multi-card setup, our guide on building a GPU mining rig has some great tips on hardware and assembly.
RTX 4070 Tuning Recipes
Tuning the RTX 4070 is a different beast, thanks to its Ada Lovelace architecture. This card really comes alive when you lock the core clock and push the memory hard, a strategy that pays dividends on core-dominant algorithms where its newer architecture can really stretch its legs. The whole idea is to feed its powerful core as much data as it can chew on.
What’s impressive is that the 4070 often hits higher hashrates than the 3070 while drawing less power, especially on newer algorithms. Its architecture simply gets more work done per clock cycle, making it a true efficiency king on coins like Kaspa.
Key Takeaway: The secret to a great RTX 4070 tune is mastering the relationship between its core clock and power draw. Locking the core at a specific frequency almost always gives you better stability and efficiency than just sliding the power limit down.
Here are some common starting points for the RTX 4070:
| Algorithm | Profile Focus | Core Clock (MHz) | Memory Clock (MHz) | Power Limit (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| kHeavyHash | Max Efficiency | Lock @ 1500 | +2200 | ~55% (110W) |
| Autolykos2 | Balanced | -200 | +1200 | ~60% (120W) |
| KawPow | Max Hashrate | +150 | +1400 | ~80% (160W) |
At the end of the day, these recipes are just your entry point. The absolute best settings are always found through patient testing. You have to monitor your hashrate, power draw, and stability over several hours or even days. It takes effort, but that’s how you turn a good GPU into a great, highly profitable mining tool.
Calculating Profitability and Return on Investment
Let’s get down to what really matters: turning hashrates into actual dollars. Technical specs are one thing, but the real test in the 3070 vs 4070 debate is the financial one. Profitability isn’t just about raw power; it’s a tightrope walk between your initial hardware cost, the price you pay for electricity, and the ever-shifting crypto markets.
The first hurdle is always the upfront cost.
- RTX 3070: This card has a much lower barrier to entry, especially on the used market. It’s a go-to choice for hobbyists or miners scaling up without sinking a ton of capital into new gear.
- RTX 4070: This card carries a premium price tag. That extra cash buys you a leg up on modern algorithms and a more “future-proof” card, but it also means a longer road to get back into the black.
The Critical Role of Electricity Costs
Your power cost is the silent killer of mining profits. A few cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) can be the difference between a money-making machine and a very expensive space heater. Let’s see how this plays out using a few typical electricity rates.
The table below projects daily profit after paying the power bill for each GPU on a core-intensive algorithm, where the RTX 4070 really shines. Keep in mind, this is a snapshot assuming stable coin prices and difficulty.
Daily Profitability Projection (Core-Heavy Algorithm)
| Electricity Rate (per kWh) | RTX 3070 (125W) | RTX 4070 (115W) | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.08 (Low) | ~$0.85 | ~$1.20 | With cheap power, the 4070’s hashrate advantage creates a huge profit gap. |
| $0.12 (Average) | ~$0.73 | ~$1.09 | The gap stays wide, cementing the 4070’s superior earning power. |
| $0.15 (High) | ~$0.64 | ~$1.01 | Even with expensive electricity, the 4070’s efficiency keeps it comfortably ahead. |
As you can see, the RTX 4070’s efficiency on newer algorithms helps it pull in more profit no matter your power cost. But this doesn’t automatically mean it’s the faster way to get your money back.
Key Takeaway: ROI isn’t just about daily profit; it’s about how quickly those profits pay back your initial hardware cost. A cheaper RTX 3070 might reach its break-even point faster than a more expensive RTX 4070, even if it earns less each day.
Modeling Return on Investment Scenarios
To really understand ROI, we have to bring the hardware cost into the equation. Let’s run the numbers for two common single-card setups.
- Scenario 1: Budget Miner: A miner finds a used RTX 3070 for $250.
- Scenario 2: Performance Miner: A miner buys a new RTX 4070 for $550.
Using our average electricity rate of $0.12/kWh, here’s what the break-even timeline looks like.
- RTX 3070 ROI: At $0.73 profit per day, it would take around 342 days to pay off the $250 card.
- RTX 4070 ROI: At $1.09 profit per day, it would take roughly 505 days to recoup the $550 investment.
This simple calculation reveals a crucial trade-off. While the RTX 4070 is the clear winner for daily earnings, the RTX 3070’s lower cost of entry can get you back to break-even much faster. For miners who prioritize recovering their initial capital quickly, the 3070 has a serious edge. You can plug in your own numbers by using a good crypto mining profitability calculator to model these scenarios accurately.
In summary: The RTX 3070 is the sprinter, offering a quicker path to zero cost. The RTX 4070 is the marathon runner—it takes longer to pay for itself but promises higher earnings and better resale value over the long haul.
Future-Proofing and Resale Value: Thinking Beyond Today’s Hashrate
Any miner who’s been in the game for a while knows that daily profit is only half the story. The other half? The long-term value of your hardware. When comparing the 3070 vs 4070, we have to look past current hashrates and ask a critical question: which card will be a better asset in one, two, or even three years when it’s time to sell?
The resale market gives us a pretty clear answer. Newer architecture almost always carries a higher premium, and the RTX 4070’s Ada Lovelace design is a prime example. Its fundamental advantages—from a more efficient core to a larger VRAM buffer—make it a far more desirable piece of hardware for both miners and the gamers who will eventually buy our used cards.
Resale Trends: A Tale of Two Generations
When a mining boom subsides or a new generation of cards hits the market, the second-hand channels get flooded. In that scenario, cards with better staying power hold their value. The RTX 3070 is still a fantastic card, but it’s built on older tech. Its 8GB of VRAM is already bumping up against its limits in some high-resolution gaming scenarios, and it’s a potential bottleneck for future mining algorithms with ever-growing DAG files.
The RTX 4070, with its 12GB of GDDR6X VRAM, is just better equipped for whatever comes next. That bigger memory buffer, plus exclusive features like DLSS 3, makes it a much hotter ticket for the post-mining gaming market. It’s that gaming demand that ultimately sets the price floor for used GPUs.
Key Takeaway: The RTX 4070 isn’t just a mining tool; it’s a more liquid and resilient asset. Its superior tech means it will stay relevant and valuable longer, protecting your initial investment from a steep drop.
Architectural Longevity and New Algorithms
Thinking about the future isn’t just about resale—it’s also about mining viability. The crypto world is always in motion, with new proof-of-work algorithms popping up that are designed to favor modern GPU architectures. The RTX 4070’s design is just better suited to handle these new, often core-heavy, workloads.
We saw this play out in recent market shifts. Data from 2026 mining trends showed the RTX 4070 holding 60-70% premiums over the 3070 on secondary markets. This was largely because the Ada Lovelace architecture could pivot to new algorithms after Ethereum’s merge. For instance, when the RTX 3070 saw its profitability on certain coins drop to just $0.62/day, the 4070’s wider algorithm support kept it mining profitably on over 10 different coins. You can dig deeper into how new GPUs are impacting profitability over on ServerMania’s blog.
This proves the RTX 4070 has superior operational longevity. It can remain a workhorse in your rig long after older coins and cards have faded away.
Life After Mining: What Else Can It Do?
Finally, think about what happens when you turn the rig off for good. A card that excels at other demanding tasks will always fetch a higher price. Here, the RTX 4070 has a clear edge, making it a more valuable piece of hardware to a much wider audience.
- Gaming Horsepower: The 4070 delivers a major leap in gaming performance, particularly at 1440p and 4K.
- DLSS 3 Technology: This frame-generation feature is exclusive to the 40-series and is a huge selling point for gamers, offering massive FPS boosts.
- Creative Work: With 12GB of VRAM and a more powerful core, the 4070 is a far more capable tool for video editing, 3D rendering, and AI workloads.
The RTX 3070 is still a decent gaming card, no doubt. But it’s missing these next-gen features, which makes it a tougher sell to buyers looking for the latest and greatest. That difference directly translates to the 4070 holding a higher percentage of its original price over time, cementing its position as the smarter long-term investment.
Miner’s FAQ: 3070 vs 4070
When you’re weighing the 3070 vs 4070, a few key questions always come up. Here are some straight answers based on our hands-on experience to help you make the right call.
Is the RTX 3070 still profitable for mining in 2024?
Absolutely, but with a big “if.” The RTX 3070 can still be a solid earner if you have access to cheap electricity (ideally under $0.10/kWh). It is extremely efficient on memory-hard algorithms, which can keep it in the green when mining specific coins.
The catch? Its profitability is very sensitive to market swings. It also falls behind on newer, core-intensive algorithms where the 4070’s modern architecture excels. Think of it less as an all-around workhorse and more as a specialist for the right conditions.
Which is better for a beginner miner, 3070 or 4070?
This boils down to your starting budget and long-term goals.
- RTX 3070: This is the ideal beginner card. You can find them for a great price on the used market, which means a much lower upfront investment and a faster path to reaching your Return on Investment (ROI). It lets you learn the ropes without a huge financial risk.
- RTX 4070: This card costs more, but you’re buying versatility and future-proofing. It will be profitable on a wider range of coins for longer, and its resale value will be much stronger when you decide to upgrade.
In short: The 3070 gets you to your break-even point faster, while the 4070 is the better long-term earner.
How does VRAM affect mining performance in the 3070 vs 4070 debate?
The 8GB of VRAM on the RTX 3070 is perfectly fine for most algorithms right now. But the 12GB on the RTX 4070 is a critical piece of future-proofing. As the DAG files for certain proof-of-work coins grow, they will eventually surpass the 8GB threshold. When that happens, cards with less memory become obsolete for mining those specific coins. The 4070’s larger VRAM buffer ensures it stays in the game for years to come.
Does the RTX 4070 require special drivers for mining?
No, you can forget about hunting down special “mining” drivers. The RTX 4070 runs best on the latest official Game Ready or Studio drivers directly from NVIDIA’s website. What’s far more important is keeping your mining software—whether it’s T-Rex, Gminer, or LolMiner—up to date. Developers constantly release updates with new optimizations that can provide a significant performance boost.
