Table of Contents
Introduction
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 was once one of the most popular graphics cards for gaming, and even today, many people still consider it a good budget option in the used market.
Released in 2016, it comes with 8GB of VRAM, which is still enough for 1080p gaming in many popular games. Even though this card is quite old now, it can still deliver smooth performance in many titles.
But the real question is simple: is the GTX 1070 still worth buying in 2026, or is it better to spend your money on something newer?
In this review, we’ll look at its gaming performance, current value, and whether it still makes sense for budget gamers today.
Specifications
| Specification | GTX 1070 |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Pascal |
| CUDA Cores | 1920 |
| VRAM | 8GB GDDR5 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit |
| Base Clock | 1506 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1683 MHz |
| Memory Speed | 8 Gbps |
| TDP | 150W |
| Recommended PSU | 450W |
| Release Date | 2016 |
The biggest highlight here is the 8GB VRAM, which still helps the card run many games smoothly at 1080p.
Gaming Performance
1080p Gaming Performance
At 1080p, the GTX 1070 still performs surprisingly well for an older graphics card. In games like Forza Horizon 4, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Resident Evil Village, it can still deliver smooth gameplay on medium to high settings.
For heavier games like Cyberpunk 2077, you may need to lower the settings a bit, but the game is still very playable.
For most beginners who play at Full HD, this card still gives a good experience.
1440p Gaming Performance
At 1440p, the GTX 1070 still does a decent job, especially in older AAA games and esports titles.
However, newer heavy games may need medium or low settings to stay close to 60 FPS.
If you already have a 1440p monitor, the card is still usable, but this is where its age starts to show.
GTX 1070 Price and Current Value
The GTX 1070 launched in 2016 with an MSRP of $379.
Today, this card is mostly available in the used market, and its price is much lower than its launch price.
The exact price depends on condition, brand, and seller, so it’s always a good idea to check current eBay listings before buying.
Price Overview
| Price Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Launch MSRP | $379 |
| Current Used Price | Around $80 – $100 |
| Latest Market Price | Check eBay listings |
Similar Launch Price GPUs
| GPU | Approx. Launch MSRP |
|---|---|
| GTX 1070 | $379 |
| RTX 2060 SUPER | $399 |
| RTX 3060 | $329 |
| RTX 3060 Ti | $399 |
GTX 1070 Compared to Other Popular GPUs
To help you understand where the GTX 1070 stands today, here’s a simple comparison with some older and newer GPUs. This makes it easier for beginners to quickly see which cards are slower, similar, or faster.
| GPU | VRAM | Memory Type | Relative Performance vs GTX 1070 |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 2060 | 6GB | GDDR6 | Slightly Faster |
| RTX 3060 | 12GB | GDDR6 | Clearly Faster |
| RX 6600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Faster |
| RX 580 | 8GB | GDDR5 | Slower |
| RX 590 | 8GB | GDDR5 | Slightly Slower |
| Arc A770 | 16GB | GDDR6 | Much Faster |
| GTX 1650 | 4GB | GDDR5 / GDDR6 | Much Slower |
| GTX 1650 Super | 4GB | GDDR6 | Slightly Slower |
| GTX 1660 | 6GB | GDDR5 | Slightly Slower |
| RX 5500 XT | 4GB / 8GB | GDDR6 | Slightly Slower |
| GTX 650 Ti Boost | 2GB | GDDR5 | Much Slower |
| GTX 1050 | 2GB | GDDR5 | Much Slower |
| GTX 1080 | 8GB | GDDR5X | Faster |
| Arc Pro B60 | 24GB+ | GDDR6 | Much Faster |
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Still strong for 1080p gaming | Quite old in 2026 |
| 8GB VRAM is still useful | No ray tracing support |
| Can still handle some 1440p gaming | No DLSS or frame generation |
| Great value in the used market | Higher power use than newer cards |
| Smooth performance in esports titles | May struggle in newer AAA games at high settings |
| Better than many older budget GPUs | Used card condition can vary |
Final Verdict
The GTX 1070 is still a good graphics card for 1080p gaming, especially for anyone building a gaming PC on a budget.
If you mostly play games like GTA V, Fortnite, Valorant, Forza Horizon 4, and other older AAA titles, this card can still give you a smooth and enjoyable experience.
The 8GB VRAM is still one of its strongest points, and it helps the card stay useful even today.
Of course, this is an older GPU now, so newer heavy games may need lower settings, and you will not get modern features that newer cards offer.
Still, if you find it in the $80 to $100 range, it can be a smart buy for smooth 1080p gaming and a solid choice for beginners who want good performance without spending too much.
