NVIDIA’s latest RTX 5070 laptop GPU has arrived, but on paper, it looks strikingly similar to the last-gen RTX 4070. Both GPUs share the same core configuration and VRAM, so is the new 5070 worth paying more for?
We tested both GPUs across 25 1080p and 1440p games to find out where the real differences lie and help you decide which one offers the best value for your next gaming laptop.
Facing Specifications: More similar than different
At a glance, the spec sheets tell the story of minimal change:
| Specifications | RTX 4070 laptop GPU | RTX 5070 laptop GPU |
|---|---|---|
| coda/tensor/RT cores | match | match |
| VRAM | 8 GB GDDR6 | 8 GB GDDR7 |
| Memory bus | 128 bit | 128 bit |
| Typical power (real world) | ~100-110 watts | ~115 watts |
| Maximum boost force (claimed) | 140 watts (with dynamic boost) | 115 watts |
The main differences are with the newer 5070 model, GDDR7 memory is faster The reality of power is a little different. While the 4070 can technically boost higher, in practice, it often ranges between 100-110 watts, which is much closer to the 5070’s limit of 115 watts.
Synthetic Standards: Clear lead in efficiency
Before diving into the games, synthetic benchmarks revealed a consistent trend. In 3DMark Time Spy, RTX 5070 It beat the RTX 4070 by about 11% When both GPUs were running at the same power level, either at 115W or below 50W. This indicates a real improvement in architectural efficiency in the new generation.
Even when the 4070 was allowed to run at its peak 130 watts, the 5070 still maintained a difference of just under 8%.
Real-world gaming performance: 25-game average
Testing was conducted on two Lenovo Legion 7i laptops. It’s important to note that the 5070 also features a newer CPU and faster RAM, which mirrors a real-world purchasing scenario but means some of the performance gains aren’t from the GPU alone.
After testing 25 games, the average FPS difference was:
- 1080p resolution: It was the RTX 5070 ~9% faster On average.
- At 1440p: It was the RTX 5070 ~7% faster On average.
The smaller lead at 1440p helps isolate the GPU’s contribution, indicating that the initial GPU performance boost is likely in 7-8% rangewhile getting the rest of the 1080p resolution from the newer CPU.
Highlights of each game individually
The experience varies greatly from game to game:
- Biggest win (CPU related): Spiderman 2 Saw huge gains from 30% at 1080p and 21% at 1440pwill likely be severely affected by a newer CPU.
- Typical profit: Most titles, e.g Black Legend Wukong and Alan Wake 2show a 5-10% Lift with 5070.
- No difference: Ghost of Tsushima Performance was “essentially the same” on both laptops.
- Anomalies: Red Dead Redemption 2 Performance was worse on the 5070 laptop at 1440p, possibly due to a driver bug or optimization with the new Intel/RTX 50-series chipsets.
Multiple frame creation question
One of the main marketing points of the RTX 50 series is “multi-frame generation”. This allows the 5070 to generate more AI frames (3x or 4x mode) than the 4070’s standard 2x Frame Generation.
Our take: Although frame creation is a great feature for reducing stuttering and enhancing smoothness in less latency-sensitive single player games, that’s not a reason to choose the 5070 alone.
- The 4070 still has access to standard 2x frame creation.
- Comparing AI-generated frames to locally rendered frames is not an exhaustive comparison, as it can introduce latency and occasional visual artifacts.
- Multi-Frame Gen is a “nice to have” extra, not a necessary generation-defining feature.
Energy, heat and efficiency
The face of the latest laptop 3-4% more force on the wall (And not just the GPU). However, because it was offering more frames, the The RTX 5070 system was more power efficient On a performance per watt basis. The 5070 GPU itself was also slightly warmer and maintained higher clock speeds, consistently hitting the 115W power target in games.
Bottom line: Is the RTX 5070 worth it?
The answer, as always, comes down to price and availability.
As of early September, market dynamics were extraordinary: RTX 4070 laptops are becoming rarer, and their prices often soar. Meanwhile, RTX 5070 laptops are hitting the market at competitive prices.
- If prices are equal: The RTX 5070 is the clear winner, offering a ~7% pure GPU performance boostBetter efficiency and access to newer features. It feels more like a “4070 Ti” than a real leap to the next generation.
- If you find a deal: The hotly-selling RTX 4070 laptop remains an excellent buy. You don’t miss a huge generational leap in raw performance.
Current pricing context (early September):
- RTX 4070 Laptops: ~$900 (entry level) to $1,400 (premium)
- RTX 5070 Laptops: ~$1100 (entry level) to $1300-$1400 (mid-range)
From a cost-per-frame perspective, a $1,100 laptop priced at $4,070 offers similar value to a $1,200 laptop priced at $5,070. This extra $100 gives you just 7% more performance at 1440p.
One final word of caution: 8GB of video memory
Both of these GPUs come with 8GB of VRAM. For high-end 1440p gaming, this has already become a limiting factor in some modern games. Before you pull the trigger on any laptop with 8GB of VRAM, be sure to research the specific games you’re playing to avoid frustrating lag or the need to lower texture settings in the future.
