Radeon RX 7900 GRE vs GeForce RTX 4070

Winner:
Radeon RX 7900 GRE
Main Difference:
Higher memory capacity and wider data bus for demanding textures
Page Summary:
Radeon RX 7900 GRE is the superior choice because it provides significantly more memory and faster raw performance, making it more reliable for long-term usage compared to the more restricted GeForce RTX 4070 which struggles under heavy memory pressure despite its efficiency.
Last updated:
January 31, 2026

The Essentials

Radeon RX 7900 GRE

MSRP:
$549
See Current Price
Spec Sheet:
Core Count:
5120
Thread Count:
Base Clock:
1287 MHz
Boost Clock:
2245 MHz
Integrated Graphics:
VRAM:
16.0 GB
L3 Cache:
16.0 GB
TDP:
260 W
Socket:
256 bit
Bus Width:
256 bit
Release Date:
2023-07-27
Gaming Scores:
(Higher is better)
Resolution
Rasterization
Ray Tracing
1080p
62.5
51.5
1440p
54.2
40.4
4K
32.5
32.5
Gaming and Productivity Scores:
(Higher is better)
Gaming
Productivity

GeForce RTX 4070

MSRP:
$549
See Current Price
Spec Sheet:
Core Count:
5888
Thread Count:
Base Clock:
1920 MHz
Boost Clock:
2475 MHz
Integrated Graphics:
VRAM:
12.0 GB
L3 Cache:
12.0 GB
TDP:
200 W
Socket:
192 bit
Bus Width:
192 bit
Release Date:
2023-04-12
Gaming Scores:
(Higher is better)
Resolution
Rasterization
Ray Tracing
1080p
58.4
54.9
1440p
47.8
42.7
4K
37.2
34.1
Gaming and Productivity Scores:
(Higher is better)
Gaming
Productivity
Note about scores:
We measure this card's performance against the absolute best GPU currently available. The numbers show the percentage of performance you get compared to the market leader at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions, with the leader at 100. These scores are aggregated from a wide range of different games to create a reliable average. However, keep in mind that performance in specific titles may deviate from this average depending on how that game is optimized.
Note about scores:
We measure this processor's performance against the absolute best CPU currently available. The numbers show the percentage of performance you get compared to the market leader in both gaming and workstation tasks, with the leader at 100. These scores are aggregated from a wide range of different games and applications to create a reliable average. However, keep in mind that performance in specific software may deviate from this average depending on how that program is optimized.

Performance Deep Dive

Radeon RX 7900 GRE
Gaming Analysis:

The Radeon RX 7900 GRE is a high-performance contender that fits into the upper-tier of gaming hardware, offering a massive leap over entry-level parts. Built on the RDNA 3.0 architecture, it provides enough raw power to handle extremely high visual settings at 1440p and can stretch into higher resolutions if you manage your expectations regarding total frame output. It behaves as a balanced middle ground in the lineup, delivering smooth motion in standard gaming without the heat or power demands found in the heaviest flagship silicon.

The 16GB GDDR6 memory buffer is a practical advantage for modern gaming. Many modern titles are increasingly hungry for video memory, and this 16GB ceiling allows you to keep texture quality at maximum without the stuttering or blurry asset loading that can happen on cards with less capacity. This buffer provides significant longevity against the demanding requirements of visual-heavy console ports and complex open-world environments.

  • Standard Gaming (Rasterization): This is where the card is most comfortable. It produces fluid movement across almost any modern title at 1440p. While it can handle 4K, the 256-bit memory bus means performance might tighten in extremely dense scenes compared to larger enthusiast cards.
  • Ray Tracing Performance: With 80 Ray Accelerators, the hardware can handle ray-traced lighting effects, though it remains more demanding than standard rendering. In titles with lighter ray tracing implementations, the visuals remain sharp and playable, but for heavy lighting loads, you will likely need to engage upscaling tools to maintain a steady feel.
  • Upscaling and Frame Generation: You have access to FSR 3 and driver-level Fluid Motion Frames. These features are great for bridging the gap during heavy 4K workloads or when you want the highest possible visual fluidity in fast-paced titles.
  • Memory Tuning: One interesting trait of this card is the ability to adjust memory timings through software. For those comfortable with basic tuning, there is room to tighten up performance and gain a small edge in responsiveness.

The 750W power supply recommendation ensures the card has plenty of headroom for its 2245 MHz boost clock during intense gaming sessions. It is a sensible choice for a build centered on high fidelity and a generous memory overhead, offering a path to enthusiast-level gaming without demanding a specialized high-wattage power environment or a massive chassis. At a launch MSRP of $549, it represents a sturdy investment for high-refresh 1440p setups.

GeForce RTX 4070
Gaming Analysis:

The GeForce RTX 4070 occupies a specialized midrange space where high-resolution performance and power efficiency actually overlap. It handles heavy visuals with a level of restraint that makes older flagships feel unnecessarily loud and hot. While it can reach into higher resolutions, it functions most effectively when pushed at its target mid-tier resolution. Attempting to drive high-refresh displays at native 4K will eventually show the hardware limits, but for anything less demanding, the experience remains responsive.

The 12GB VRAM buffer serves as a reliable middle ground for current titles. It provides a significant margin over lower-tier cards that are beginning to struggle, though it does not offer the bottomless overhead found in enthusiast-class hardware. In titles with heavy texture loads, this GDDR6X capacity allows for high-quality assets without the stuttering or asset pop-in that can disrupt the flow of play. It manages to stay ahead of the curve for now, even if ultra-heavy texture packs in the future might eventually test its limits.

  • Mid-resolution gaming is the sweet spot for this architecture, where it delivers smooth motion across demanding modern libraries.
  • The 46 dedicated Ray Tracing cores make complex lighting and reflections a practical choice rather than a theoretical one.
  • The 192-bit memory bus is balanced for its primary use case, though it can act as a natural ceiling during heavy 4K workloads compared to the Ti variants.
  • DLSS 3 and Frame Generation provide a significant lift when a title feels particularly heavy, using AI to maintain fluidity even in taxing environments.
  • At a launch MSRP of $549, it matches the raw output of previous-generation flagships while pulling significantly less power, helping keep thermal output low during extended sessions.

Ray tracing on this card is a tangible feature rather than a checkbox. It maintains sharp reflections and realistic shadows without forcing a compromise that ruins the experience. Because it utilizes the Ada Lovelace architecture, the fourth-gen Tensor cores can step in with AI reconstruction to keep the image crisp when the path-tracing math gets heavy. It creates a stable balance where you can actually enjoy the lighting effects instead of worrying about the performance cost.

Radeon RX 7900 GRE
Productivity Analysis:

While the hardware is designed to excel in high resolution gaming, its utility for professional tasks is defined by the heavy compute resources packed into its 80 processing units. Moving from gaming to creative work reveals a card that handles dense 3D viewports and complex timelines with steady composure. The RDNA 3.0 architecture provides a massive amount of raw mathematical power that helps maintain responsiveness in specialized software when you are manipulating heavy assets or managing a multi-monitor productivity setup.

The 16GB memory buffer serves as a critical safety net for anyone working with high-resolution textures or multi-layered video projects. Cards with smaller capacities might struggle the moment you load a secondary application or a large data set, but this overhead ensures the system does not immediately stall during an export or a heavy render. Having this much video memory creates a stable foundation for professional workflows that will remain relevant as software requirements continue to climb in the coming years.

  • Rendering and Simulation Performance: The 80 Ray Accelerators assist in hardware-accelerated rendering tasks within applications like Blender, though the specific software translation layer involves different optimization paths than competitors. While it provides excellent speed for traditional rendering, it relies on raw compute strength to power through complicated lighting calculations.
  • Memory Throughput and Bandwidth: With a 256-bit memory bus providing 576 GB/s of bandwidth, the card handles large data transfers with considerable speed. This allows for smooth scrubbing in video editing software where the GPU must quickly fetch and process frames from the buffer to keep up with your editing pace.
  • Precision Compute Tasks: The hardware offers 92 TFLOPS of FP16 performance, which is a major benefit for AI-assisted tools and image processing filters. This raw arithmetic capability allows the card to accelerate modern neural filters and generative tools even without specialized proprietary cores.
  • Modern Video Encoding: Inclusion of hardware AV1 encoding is a significant perk for video professionals and streamers alike. This allows you to produce high-quality exports with efficient file sizes, reducing the strain on your processor and speeding up the final delivery phase of a project.
  • Technical Software Compatibility: In certain engineering and CAD applications like SolidWorks, the architecture often demonstrates a surprising lead in visualization fluidity. It handles the specific viewport instructions of these tools more effectively than many consumer-grade alternatives, making it a viable choice for a dual-purpose workstation and gaming machine.

A 750W power supply is the recommended choice to provide enough energy for the card during heavy sustained workloads. Despite the massive compute potential, it operates efficiently without creating an overwhelming heat signature or excessive noise levels. At its launch MSRP of $549, it stands as a practical option for builders who need a high-end memory buffer and significant processing power for creative tasks without venturing into the extreme price tiers of flagship workstations.

GeForce RTX 4070
Productivity Analysis:

While the gaming results establish this card as a high-performance choice for entertainment, its utility changes when moving into professional software where stability and memory management take priority. It serves as a reliable link between enthusiast projects and more demanding creative work. The architecture provides access to a stable ecosystem that remains a benchmark for various 3D and video applications. Choosing this hardware ensures a level of software compatibility that can prevent the disruptions often associated with less established drivers, making it a dependable option for anyone who needs their machine to stay functional during long render cycles.

The 12GB VRAM buffer offers substantial space for most high-resolution video timelines and standard 3D textures, though it does represent a definitive boundary. If a project involves extremely high-resolution RAW footage or massive geometric scenes, the system will eventually reach its memory limit. When that occurs, the hardware has to move data back to system memory, which often leads to a noticeable drop in overall responsiveness. The 504.2 GB/s bandwidth keeps many interactions snappy, yet the memory configuration can feel somewhat restrictive during deep archival exports or when working with uncompressed layers that demand massive throughput.

  • The 29.2 TFLOPS of FP32 compute power ensures that viewport interactions in 3D applications remain fluid even as light and shadow calculations become more complex.
  • The eighth-gen NVENC hardware includes AV1 encoding, allowing for high-quality video exports and streams that do not rely on the central processor to handle the heavy lifting.
  • Forty-six dedicated Ray Tracing cores allow for physically accurate lighting previews to happen in real-time within supported creative suites.
  • Power efficiency is a major strength, as it maintains high output while drawing roughly 186 watts, which prevents the workspace from overheating during multi-hour rendering sessions.
  • The 5888 shading units provide the necessary parallel processing to handle intensive tasks like AI-assisted noise reduction or complex image manipulation across large batches of files.

This card functions best as a tool for efficiency within its specific technical guardrails. It lacks the massive overhead found in the highest-tier enthusiast models, so users must be mindful of their project scale to avoid memory bottlenecks. It is built for a professional who needs to transition between a 3D modeling environment and a video editing suite without encountering the stability issues that plague a less focused workstation config. It represents a practical balance where the hardware stays out of the way of the work. If your daily tasks involve massive simulations or high-bitrate 8K projects, the 12GB capacity may eventually require more careful asset management as software evolves.

Radeon RX 7900 GRE
Feature Analysis:

A 260W typical power draw places this hardware in a practical sweet spot for builders who want high-tier performance without the excessive thermal output of flagship silicon. Since it uses two standard 8-pin power connectors, you can avoid the stiffness and clearance issues associated with newer high-density cables. This choice makes the installation process far more straightforward for those reusing an existing power supply or building in a compact chassis where cable management is often a struggle. While the base specification suggests a lower minimum, a 750W power supply is the target for a stable build to ensure the system handles power behavior during sudden visual transitions without hesitation.

The physical footprint and power requirements reflect a design that prioritizes compatibility across a wide range of mid-tower cases and motherboard generations. By utilizing a full PCIe 4.0 x16 interface, the card maintains its data throughput efficiency even if installed in an older PCIe 3.0 slot, preventing the bandwidth limitations found on cards with fewer lanes. This architectural stability ensures the hardware remains predictable and reliable over years of heavy use, rather than requiring a total system overhaul just to accommodate its presence. It is a dense, efficient package that focuses on the core requirements of high-resolution textures and thermal longevity.

  • Thermal Efficiency: The 260W TDP allows for manageable heat levels, ensuring your case fans do not have to run at maximum speeds to keep the internal environment stable.
  • Cable Compatibility: Using two 8-pin connectors means the card works with almost any standard power supply, eliminating the need for specialized adapters or specific ATX 3.0 hardware.
  • VRAM Insurance: A 16GB memory ceiling offers a significant buffer for heavy texture packs in modern titles, reducing the likelihood of stuttering as games become more asset-heavy.
  • Platform Longevity: The combination of RDNA 3.0 architecture and a full x16 interface provides a sturdy foundation that stays relevant as software requirements continue to evolve.
  • Installation Simplicity: The absence of experimental power standards and the manageable power draw make this a low-friction choice for both new builders and those looking for a plug-and-play upgrade.

Choosing this hardware means opting for a balance between raw capability and build-side convenience. You are getting a card that fills the gap for the builder who wants flagship-level visual assets and 1440p stability without the diminishing returns of higher wattage tiers. It avoids the complexities of specialized power management, resulting in a system that stays quiet and operates within safe thermal limits. The focus here is on a reliable experience that values long-term stability and physical compatibility above all else. It is a technical choice for someone who prefers a clean, predictable build over dealing with the heat and power requirements of the absolute top-tier silicon.

GeForce RTX 4070
Feature Analysis:

A 200W TDP makes this hardware remarkably easy to manage within a standard mid-sized case since it does not generate the massive thermal output seen in higher-tier parts. You can achieve a stable build without investing in an oversized cooling solution or a complex fan configuration because the architecture prioritizes efficiency per watt. This lower power draw directly translates to a quieter workspace during heavy cycles, allowing the card to maintain its clock speeds without pushing the fans to distracting levels. It is a polite component that does not demand you overhaul your entire thermal strategy just to keep it from hitting its temperature ceiling.

The 12GB VRAM buffer sits at a transitional point for high-resolution textures and local AI workloads. While it remains comfortable for standard assets at 1440p, pushing into 4K packs or complex lighting mods may eventually lead to memory pressure that requires minor setting adjustments. This capacity provides enough room for the current gaming landscape, but it lacks the heavy overhead found in flagship models meant to act as a generational anchor for the next several years. You are buying an efficient tool that handles modern requirements with ease, though you must stay mindful of how texture quality settings impact the memory limit as software demands continue to climb.

  • The single 16-pin power connector requires careful Cable management to ensure the plug is fully seated and the cable has a natural curve without being pressed firmly against the side of the chassis.
  • A 650W power supply provides the necessary headroom to handle the sudden power spikes that occur when the silicon shifts from a resting state to a full rendering load.
  • Utilizing a PCIe 4.0 x16 interface ensures that the GPU has access to the full available bandwidth even if you are installing it into a slightly older motherboard platform.
  • The 200W typical power draw keeps the internal case temperature low, which helps prevent other sensitive components like M.2 drives from picking up excess heat.
  • Ada Lovelace architecture optimizations mean this card delivers significant throughput while consuming far less electricity than previous-generation hardware with similar raw performance.

Operating this card is a predictable experience as long as you provide the suggested power headroom and respect the specific memory boundaries of the 12GB buffer. It is a focused workhorse that avoids the heat and power baggage often associated with high-end enthusiast desktop builds. This hardware is the definitive choice for a builder who wants a modern feature set and high efficiency without the need for a massive power supply or a giant enclosure. It delivers a refined experience that stays out of its own way, provided you remain realistic about the texture limits at the highest resolutions.

Radeon RX 7900 GRE
Full Tech Specs:
Feature Specification
Product Name Radeon RX 7900 GRE
MSRP $549
Release Date 2023-07-27
Chipset Manufacturer AMD
Memory Size 16 GB
Memory Type GDDR6
Memory Bus 256 bit
Memory Clock 2250 MHz
Memory Bandwidth 576.0 GB/s
Base Clock 1287 MHz
Boost Clock 2245 MHz
Shading Units 5120
Ray Tracing Cores 80
TMUs 320
ROPs 160
Pixel Rate 359.2 GPixel/s
Texture Rate 718.4 GTexel/s
Compute Power (FP16) 92.0 TFLOPS
Compute Power (FP32) 46.0 TFLOPS
Compute Power (FP64) 1.4 TFLOPS
Architecture RDNA 3.0
Process Size 5 nm
Interface PCIe 4.0 x16
Power Connectors 2x 8-pin
TDP 260 W
Suggested PSU 700 W
GeForce RTX 4070
Full Tech Specs:
Feature Specification
Name GeForce RTX 4070
MSRP $549
Release Date 2023-04-12
Chipset Manufacturer NVIDIA
Memory Size 12 GB
Memory Type GDDR6X
Memory Bus 192 bit
Memory Clock 1313 MHz
Memory Bandwidth 504.2 GB/s
Base Clock 1920 MHz
Boost Clock 2475 MHz
Shading Units 5888
Ray Tracing Cores 46
TMUs 184
ROPs 64
Pixel Rate 158.4 GPixel/s
Texture Rate 455.4 GTexel/s
Compute Power (FP16) 29.2 TFLOPS
Compute Power (FP32) 29.2 TFLOPS
Compute Power (FP64) 455.4 GFLOPS
Architecture Ada Lovelace
Process Size 5 nm
Interface PCIe 4.0 x16
Power Connectors 1x 16-pin
TDP 200 W
Suggested PSU 650 W

Final Verdict

Choosing the Radeon RX 7900 GRE over its competition comes down to the simple reality of memory capacity and long-term viability. While both cards targeted similar markets at launch, the extra 4GB of VRAM on the Radeon card makes a massive difference when you start cranking up the settings in modern titles that chew through textures. The GeForce RTX 4070 relies on a much narrower memory bus and slightly less total capacity, which can lead to stuttering or lowered detail levels when the buffer fills up completely. Technical limitations like a restricted bus width often act as a bottleneck that prevents the GPU from fully stretching its legs even if the core itself is fast enough for the task at hand.

AMD also packed this card with a much higher count of shading units and significantly more raw compute power, which translates to a clear lead in traditional rendering scenarios where you just want the highest frame throughput possible. The GeForce RTX 4070 does have a specialized advantage in ray tracing and offers access to a very clever frame generation suite, but those features often feel like a band-aid for the lack of raw hardware muscle. If you prefer to play games in their native state without relying on software tricks to keep things smooth, the hardware specifications of the GRE simply offer more breathing room. It also supports newer display output standards that may matter for future monitor upgrades down the line. You are essentially paying for more physical resources with the Radeon card, which is almost always the smarter bet for a mid-to-high-end build that needs to last several years without needing an immediate upgrade.

  • Buy Radeon RX 7900 GRE if you want the security of more memory for high-resolution textures and better performance in raw rendering without needing to toggle upscaling features.
  • Buy GeForce RTX 4070 if you primarily care about ray tracing quality or need specialized features for professional productivity suites that favor their specific architecture.

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