NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 vs NVIDIA N1X 48SM Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data presents an unusual comparison: the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is a fully benchmarked discrete desktop graphics card, while the NVIDIA N1X 48SM is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with no recorded benchmark scores in the database. As such, the RTX 4070 holds every available benchmark win by default, but the N1X 48SM wins in categories related to memory capacity, bus interface, and form factor integration.

The RTX 4070, built on the Ada Lovelace architecture, delivers measurable performance across a wide range of tests. Its average benchmark score of 37,648 places it in the 81st percentile of all GPUs tracked in the database. The N1X 48SM, by contrast, has an average score of 0 and sits at the 50th percentile, indicating that no performance data has been recorded for it. This makes direct performance comparison impossible; the analysis must rely on architectural specifications and the RTX 4070's documented results.

For compute-heavy workloads, the RTX 4070 shows strong results. Its Geekbench OpenCL score of 154,858 and Vulkan score of 174,152 indicate solid compute and graphics API performance. The PassMark G3D score of 26,927 and GPU compute score of 14,720 further confirm its capability in general 3D rendering and compute tasks. The N1X 48SM, with no benchmark entries, cannot be assessed in these areas.

The N1X 48SM wins decisively in memory capacity. It carries 128 GB of LPDDR5X memory on a 256-bit bus, whereas the RTX 4070 has 12 GB of GDDR6X on a 192-bit bus. This memory advantage is substantial, though the RTX 4070's bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s far exceeds the N1X's 273.2 GB/s. For applications that require massive memory pools, such as large dataset processing or certain AI inference workloads, the N1X 48SM's capacity is a clear differentiator.

The N1X 48SM also wins on integration. It is an IGP with no power connectors, no slot width requirement, and no dimensions listed, meaning it is designed to be embedded directly into a system. The RTX 4070 is a dual-slot card measuring 240 mm in length, 110 mm in height, and 40 mm in width, requiring a 16-pin power connector and a 550 W suggested power supply. For compact or integrated systems, the N1X 48SM's form factor is superior, though its performance remains unverified.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs come from different architectural generations and serve different purposes. The RTX 4070 uses the AD104 chip based on Ada Lovelace architecture, fabricated on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It contains 35,800 million transistors on a 294 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 121.8 million per square millimeter. The N1X 48SM uses the GB20B chip based on Blackwell 2.0 architecture, also on a 5 nm TSMC process, with a die size of 382 mm². Its transistor count is unknown in the database, and its transistor density is not recorded.

Core configurations differ notably. The RTX 4070 has 5,888 shading units, 184 texture mapping units, and 64 raster operation units. It also includes 46 RT cores and 184 tensor cores. The N1X 48SM has 6,144 shading units, 384 texture mapping units, and 48 ROPs, with 48 RT cores and 192 tensor cores. While the N1X has more shading units and texture units, its ROP count is lower. The RTX 4070's pixel rate of 158.4 GPixel/s exceeds the N1X's 112.6 GPixel/s, reflecting the ROP difference. However, the N1X 48SM's texture rate of 900.9 GTexel/s is nearly double the RTX 4070's 455.4 GTexel/s, driven by its higher TMU count.

Clock speeds show a significant divergence. The RTX 4070 operates at a base clock of 1920 MHz and boosts to 2475 MHz. The N1X 48SM runs at a much lower base of 741 MHz but boosts to 2346 MHz. This lower base clock suggests the N1X is power-optimized or thermally constrained, typical for an IGP, though its boost clock approaches the RTX 4070's level. The FP32 compute figures are close: the RTX 4070 delivers 29.15 TFLOPS, while the N1X 48SM delivers 28.83 TFLOPS, a negligible difference. FP16 performance is identical at a 1:1 ratio for both.

Memory architecture differs fundamentally. The RTX 4070 uses 12 GB of GDDR6X memory at 21 Gbps effective, with a 192-bit bus and bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s. The N1X 48SM uses 128 GB of LPDDR5X memory at 8.5 Gbps effective, with a 256-bit bus and bandwidth of 273.2 GB/s. The N1X's memory clock is 1067 MHz, versus the RTX 4070's 1313 MHz, but the wider bus and larger capacity are the N1X's advantages. The RTX 4070's higher bandwidth is better suited for real-time rendering and high-throughput workloads.

The N1X 48SM uses PCIe 5.0 x16, while the RTX 4070 uses PCIe 4.0 x16. The newer bus interface on the N1X provides higher potential host transfer rates, though the RTX 4070's benchmark data confirms its practical performance. Display outputs also differ: the RTX 4070 offers 1x HDMI 2.1 and 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, while the N1X 48SM has a single HDMI output. API support is another major split: the RTX 4070 supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, while the N1X 48SM lists N/A for all three APIs, indicating it may not be intended for traditional graphics rendering workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

There are no recorded head-to-head benchmark results between the RTX 4070 and the N1X 48SM in the database. The N1X 48SM has no benchmark entries at all, so its performance cannot be compared numerically. The RTX 4070's benchmarks, however, place it within a clear competitive range against other GPUs in the database.

The RTX 4070's average benchmark score is 37,648. Its nearest rivals, based on the database's tracking, include the NVIDIA Tesla P4 with an average score of 37,628, a 0.1% difference, and the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 with 37,507, a 0.4% difference. The RTX 4070 sits 1.3% below the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile, which scores 38,135, and 1.3% above the AMD Radeon PRO W6400 at 37,157. These deltas show the RTX 4070 is tightly clustered with these competitors, within a narrow band of roughly 1.3% either direction.

In specific benchmark tests, the RTX 4070 demonstrates its strengths. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 3,854 reflects modern DirectX 12 gaming performance. Geekbench results show 154,858 in OpenCL and 174,152 in Vulkan, indicating strong cross-platform compute and graphics API efficiency. The PassMark suite shows a G3D score of 26,927, a G2D score of 1,164, and a GPU compute score of 14,720. Legacy DirectX tests reveal varying results: 320 in DirectX 9, 244 in DirectX 11, 139 in DirectX 10, and 103 in DirectX 12. These scores suggest the RTX 4070 handles older APIs well but is optimized for modern workloads.

The N1X 48SM's lack of benchmarks means it cannot be positioned against these rivals. Its percentile rank of 50, with an average score of 0, is a placeholder rather than a measured performance indicator. The RTX 4070's 81st percentile rank, based on actual scores, places it among the top quintile of all GPUs in the database. This is a meaningful distinction: the RTX 4070 is a proven performer, while the N1X 48SM's capabilities remain unquantified.

The closest rival comparison for the RTX 4070 is the RTX 4080 Mobile, which is 1.3% ahead in average score. This indicates that the desktop RTX 4070 performs near the level of a high-end mobile GPU, despite being a lower-tier desktop part. Conversely, the RTX 4070 is 0.1% ahead of the Tesla P4 and 0.4% ahead of the RX Vega 56, both older architectures. The Radeon PRO W6400 trails by 1.3%, making the RTX 4070 the stronger option among the listed rivals.

The Verdict

The data shows two distinct products with different intended uses. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is a discrete desktop graphics card with a proven performance record. Its 81st percentile ranking and average score of 37,648 confirm it delivers solid 3D rendering and compute performance, as evidenced by its Geekbench, PassMark, and 3DMark results. It is built for traditional graphics workloads, supporting DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, and offers multiple display outputs for multi-monitor setups.

The NVIDIA N1X 48SM is an integrated graphics processor with a different profile. Its 128 GB memory capacity, 256-bit bus, and PCIe 5.0 interface point toward data-intensive or AI-oriented applications rather than gaming or conventional rendering. The lack of API support (DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan all listed as N/A) reinforces this interpretation: it is not designed for standard graphics APIs. Its 50th percentile rank and zero average score simply reflect the absence of recorded benchmarks.

For users seeking a proven, high-performance discrete GPU for gaming, rendering, or general compute, the RTX 4070 is the clear choice based on the data. Its benchmarks show it outperforming or matching its nearest rivals within a 1.3% margin, and its feature set includes full API support and a 12 GB GDDR6X memory configuration with high bandwidth.

For users prioritizing memory capacity, integration, or a modern bus interface, the N1X 48SM offers advantages on paper. Its 128 GB LPDDR5X memory dwarfs the RTX 4070's 12 GB, and its IGP form factor with no power connectors suits embedded or compact systems. However, without recorded performance data, its actual capabilities cannot be verified. The RTX 4070 remains the only one of the two with measurable performance in the database.

The production statuses differ: the RTX 4070 is listed as end-of-life, while the N1X 48SM is active. The RTX 4070 was released on 2023-04-11, and the N1X 48SM on 2026-05-31. The RTX 4070 belongs to the GeForce 40 series, with the GeForce 30 as predecessor and GeForce 50 as successor. The N1X 48SM is part of the Blackwell IGP generation with no listed predecessor or successor.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The RTX 4070 has an average benchmark score of 37,648, while the N1X 48SM has an average score of 0, as no benchmarks are recorded for it.

Q: How does the memory capacity compare between the two?

A: The N1X 48SM has 128 GB of LPDDR5X memory on a 256-bit bus, while the RTX 4070 has 12 GB of GDDR6X on a 192-bit bus. The RTX 4070 has higher bandwidth at 504.2 GB/s, versus 273.2 GB/s for the N1X.

Q: What are the closest rivals to the RTX 4070 in the database?

A: The nearest rivals are the NVIDIA Tesla P4 (0.1% behind), AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 (0.4% behind), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile (1.3% ahead), and AMD Radeon PRO W6400 (1.3% behind).

Q: Does the N1X 48SM support DirectX or Vulkan?

A: No. The database lists DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan support as N/A for the N1X 48SM, while the RTX 4070 supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4.

Q: What is the form factor difference between the two GPUs?

A: The RTX 4070 is a dual-slot card with dimensions of 240 mm length, 110 mm height, and 40 mm width, requiring a 16-pin power connector. The N1X 48SM is an IGP with no power connectors and no dimensions listed.

Q: How do the compute capabilities compare?

A: The RTX 4070 delivers 29.15 TFLOPS FP32, while the N1X 48SM delivers 28.83 TFLOPS FP32. The RTX 4070 has 5,888 shading units, 184 TMUs, and 64 ROPs, while the N1X has 6,144 shading units, 384 TMUs, and 48 ROPs. Both have FP16 at 1:1 ratio.