RTX 4070 LLM Performance
Local LLM Performance: 32.7 t/s average on 14B models at 16k context. Updated Benchmarks: March 2026.
32.7T/s
1,356T/s
Summary
In our 2026 testing, we found the RTX 4070 occupies a difficult spot for local LLM enthusiasts. While the card demonstrates excellent raw speed—achieving nearly 33 t/s on Qwen3 14B thanks to its GDDR6X memory—the 12GB VRAM limitation restricts usability to smaller models. Despite the performance metrics, we believe the price point makes it less attractive compared to 16GB alternatives like the RTX 4060 Ti or RTX 5060 Ti, which offer similar inference speeds but significantly more room for larger models or longer contexts.
Key Insights
Relative Performance (Token Generation)
Current Price in US
$450
Avg. Market Value
Current Pricing
Biggest LLMs You Can Run on This GPU
The models below represent the largest language models that fit fully in VRAM on this GPU using 4-bit quantization (GGUF). Benchmarks include token generation and prompt processing speeds measured at their maximum supported context length.
Note: Context values are grouped into standard tiers (4K, 16K, 32K, 64K, 128K). Models may support slightly higher context, but they remain in the lower tier unless they reach the next bracket.
RTX 4070 local LLM Inference Performance vs Similar GPUs
Compare prompt ingestion and token generation speeds against similar GPUs across widely used local models and extended context lengths up to 256K.
Local LLM Benchmarks
Prompt processing (t/s) and token generation speed (t/s) across different open weight models and context lengths.
| Model | 4k Ctx | 16k Ctx | 32k Ctx | 64k Ctx | 128k Ctx | 256k Ctx |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qwen3 8B (Q4_K) | 3,564.1 | 2,064.3 | 1,116.7 | — | — | — |
| Qwen3 14B (Q4_K) | 2,099.9 | 1,355.8 | — | — | — | — |
| Model | 4k Ctx | 16k Ctx | 32k Ctx | 64k Ctx | 128k Ctx | 256k Ctx |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qwen3 8B (Q4_K) | 71.2 | 52.1 | 38.1 | — | — | — |
| Qwen3 14B (Q4_K) | 42.5 | 32.7 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about running LLMs on the RTX 4070.
What is the max model the RTX 4070 can run?
The card is limited to running models up to 14B parameters in 4-bit quantization. It cannot effectively handle larger models like 30B+ without heavy offloading to system RAM, which drastically reduces speed.
Is the RTX 4070 good value for local LLMs?
No. While the performance is decent, the 12GB VRAM is a bottleneck at the $450 price point. We recommend the RTX 4060 Ti 16GB or the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB for better value and identical token generation speeds.
How fast is the RTX 4070 on Qwen3 14B?
With Qwen3 14B at 16k context, it achieves a token generation speed of 32.7 t/s and a prompt processing speed of 1,356 t/s.
What are the memory specifications of the RTX 4070?
It features 12GB of GDDR6X memory with a bandwidth of 504 GB/s, costing approximately $37.50 per GB of VRAM.