NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 in 2025: Is it Worth Considering the Legendary Card?
Analysis of Capabilities, Performance, and Relevance in Modern Conditions
Architecture and Key Features
Pascal: Foundation of Stability
The GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card, released in 2016, is based on the Pascal architecture. This was the first generation from NVIDIA to adopt the 16nm process technology from TSMC, which improved energy efficiency and transistor density compared to its predecessors (Maxwell on 28nm). However, in 2025, this technology is already considered outdated in the wake of 5nm and 4nm chips.
Lack of Modern Features
The GTX 1070 does not support ray tracing (RTX) and DLSS — these technologies were introduced in the RTX 20xx series and newer. It also lacks compatibility with AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), although enthusiasts sometimes manage to run it through third-party modifications. For games in 2025 that focus on advanced graphics, this is a significant drawback.
Memory: Potential and Limitations
GDDR5: Proven Classic
The card is equipped with 8GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus. Its bandwidth is 256GB/s, which in 2025 falls short even against budget models with GDDR6 (e.g., RTX 3050 — 224GB/s, but with optimizations, its efficiency is higher).
Impact on Gaming
For 1080p and 1440p resolutions, the memory capacity suffices for most projects, but in 4K or when using HD textures in games like Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, stuttering may occur. In modern AAA titles on ultra settings, memory is often stressed to 90-100%, leading to FPS drops.
Gaming Performance
1080p: Comfortable Gaming
In Fortnite (Epic settings, no RT), the GTX 1070 delivers 70-90 FPS, and in Apex Legends it provides 80-100 FPS. For eSports disciplines, the card remains relevant.
1440p: Balance of Quality and Smoothness
In Red Dead Redemption 2 (high settings), the average FPS is 45-55, and in Hogwarts Legacy (medium settings) it is 40-50. For smooth gameplay, enabling FSR 2.0 (if the game supports it) is recommended.
4K: Only for Undemanding Projects
In CS2 or Dota 2, the card can manage around 60 FPS, but in Starfield or Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the frame rate drops to 25-35 even on low settings.
Ray Tracing: Lack of Support
Without hardware RT cores, the GTX 1070 cannot handle ray tracing, and emulation through drivers reduces FPS by 3-4 times. For games with RT in 2025, this model is unsuitable.
Professional Tasks
Video Editing and Rendering
With 1920 CUDA cores, the GTX 1070 handles rendering in Blender and DaVinci Resolve, but it falls behind modern GPUs. For example, rendering a scene in Blender Cycles takes 30-40% longer than on the RTX 3060.
Scientific Calculations
The card supports CUDA and OpenCL, allowing it to be used for machine learning (for educational models) or physical simulations. However, limited memory and the absence of Tensor Cores make it impractical for complex tasks.
Power Consumption and Heat Dissipation
TDP and Recommendations
The TDP of the GTX 1070 is 150W. A power supply unit of 450-500W (for example, Corsair CX550) is sufficient for a system with this card.
Cooling
Reference models use a turbine, but partner versions (ASUS Dual, MSI Gaming X) are equipped with 2-3 fans. In compact cases (up to 30L), overheating to 80-85°C under load can occur — at least 2 case fans are recommended.
Comparison with Competitors
Against AMD Radeon RX 6600
The RX 6600 (price in 2025: $230) offers similar performance at 1080p but supports FSR 3.0 and ray tracing. In games with FSR, the GTX 1070 falls behind by 15-20%.
Against NVIDIA RTX 3050
The RTX 3050 ($250) lags in raw performance but gains an advantage through DLSS and RT cores. For modern projects, this is a more future-proof choice.
Conclusion: In 2025, the GTX 1070 only competes in the secondary market (price $100-150), while newer budget GPUs offer better capabilities and technology support.
Practical Advice
Power Supply
At least 500W with an 80+ Bronze certification. Examples: EVGA 500 BQ, be quiet! System Power 9.
Compatibility
The card is compatible with PCIe 3.0 but works on PCIe 4.0/5.0 (without performance loss). For older systems with Intel Core i5/i7 4-7 generation or AMD Ryzen 1xxx processors, it is an excellent upgrade option.
Drivers
NVIDIA ceased official support for GTX 10xx in 2024. The last optimized driver is version 550. However, the community continues to release unofficial patches for new games.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Reliability and time-tested design.
- Low power consumption for the performance level.
- Sufficient memory for undemanding tasks.
Cons:
- No support for RTX, DLSS, FSR 3.0.
- Outdated process and architecture.
- Limited optimization for games in 2025.
Final Conclusion: Who is the GTX 1070 Suitable for in 2025?
1. Owners of Old PCs: For upgrading systems with processors from 2015-2018 without replacing the power supply.
2. Budget Gamers: If the goal is to play eSports titles or indie games at 1080p.
3. Enthusiasts: For building retro-style PCs or experimenting with optimization.
Alternatives: If the budget allows for $200-250, it’s better to choose a new RTX 3050 or RX 6600 — they will offer future-proofing and support for modern technologies.
The GTX 1070 remains a symbol of its era, but time is relentless. It should only be considered as a temporary solution or a nod to nostalgia.