Is The Intel Arc A770 Actually Worth Switching From A Gtx 1070 Ti In 2024

The GTX 1070 Ti was a standout mid-to-high-tier GPU when it launched in 2017, delivering strong 1440p performance and excellent efficiency. Fast forward to 2024, and many users still rely on this aging but capable card. With newer budget and mid-range GPUs entering the market, one question arises: is it worth abandoning NVIDIA’s legacy Pascal architecture for Intel’s modern Arc A770?

Intel’s entry into the discrete GPU space has been ambitious. The Arc A770, released in late 2022 and refined through 2023–2024 driver updates, promises competitive rasterization performance, superior ray tracing capabilities, and cutting-edge media encoding. But how does it truly stack up against a proven workhorse like the GTX 1070 Ti—especially now, years after both cards launched?

Performance Comparison: Raw Speed and Real-World Gaming

In synthetic benchmarks and modern titles, the Arc A770 consistently outperforms the GTX 1070 Ti by a significant margin. Benchmarks across multiple sources show an average uplift of 35–50% in rasterized (traditional) gaming at 1440p resolution. This means games that struggled to maintain 60 FPS on the 1070 Ti can run smoothly on the A770, even with higher settings.

Game (1440p, High Settings)	GTX 1070 Ti Avg FPS	Arc A770 Avg FPS	Performance Gain
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	48	72	+50%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla	42	64	+52%
Cyberpunk 2077 (w/ RT Off)	38	60	+58%
F1 23	62	90	+45%

The A770’s 16GB GDDR6 memory also provides future-proofing over the 1070 Ti’s 8GB frame buffer, which increasingly bottlenecks modern games. Titles like *Hogwarts Legacy* and *Alan Wake 2* can exceed 8GB VRAM usage at high settings—leading to stuttering on older cards.

Tip: If you're playing newer AAA titles at 1440p, the A770’s extra VRAM and modern architecture will deliver noticeably smoother gameplay than the 1070 Ti.

Ray Tracing and Upscaling: Where the A770 Shines

One area where the A770 decisively outpaces the 1070 Ti is ray tracing. While the 1070 Ti lacks any dedicated RT hardware, the A770 includes full ray tracing units and support for DirectX Raytracing (DXR). In games like *Control* and *Cyberpunk 2077*, enabling ray tracing on the 1070 Ti is impractical—even at 1080p. The A770, however, handles ray tracing at 1440p reasonably well when paired with Intel XeSS.

Intel’s XeSS (Xe Super Sampling) is their AI-powered upscaling technology, similar to NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR. While early versions were inconsistent, XeSS has matured significantly in 2024, offering quality on par with DLSS in Performance and Balanced modes. On supported titles, it boosts frame rates by 40–60% with minimal image degradation.

“Intel’s XeSS implementation in 2024 is no longer just ‘good for free’—it’s becoming a legitimate alternative to DLSS, especially as more developers integrate native support.” — Mark Serrels, Senior Tech Editor, CNET

Driver Maturity and Compatibility in 2024

Early adopters of Intel Arc faced major hurdles due to immature drivers, poor DX11/DX9 performance, and application crashes. However, by mid-2024, Intel has delivered over two dozen major driver updates, dramatically improving stability and compatibility.

Games that previously stuttered or failed to launch—particularly older titles relying on DX9 or Vulkan—now run reliably. Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and OBS benefit from Intel’s superior AV1 encoding, making the A770 a strong choice for streamers and content creators.

Still, some caveats remain. A few niche applications and emulators may perform better on NVIDIA or AMD. But for mainstream gaming and productivity, the gap has closed substantially.

Checklist: Is Your System Ready for an A770 Upgrade?

• ✅ Ensure your PSU is 650W or higher with an 8-pin + 6-pin PCIe power connection
• ✅ Verify your case has enough clearance (A770 cards are often dual-slot and long)
• ✅ Update motherboard BIOS to supportResizable BAR (required for optimal performance)
• ✅ Install the latest Intel Arc Graphics Drivers (version 31.0.101.xx or later)
• ✅ Confirm your monitor supports DisplayPort 1.4a or HDMI 2.0 for 1440p output

Real-World Example: Jason’s Upgrade Journey

Jason, a freelance video editor and casual gamer, used a GTX 1070 Ti since 2018. By 2023, he noticed increasing stutters in *Red Dead Redemption 2* and long export times in Premiere Pro. He upgraded to an Arc A770 Limited Edition 16GB in January 2024.

After enabling Resizable BAR and updating to the February 2024 driver, his system transformed. Gaming FPS increased by nearly 50%, and Premiere Pro exports using H.265 saw a 3x speedup thanks to Intel’s dual-encoder AV1 support. “I was skeptical about Intel,” he said, “but the media engine alone made the switch worth it.”

His only hiccup? An old copy of *The Witcher 3* initially ran poorly due to DX9 overhead. A quick driver update resolved the issue. Now, he uses XeSS in supported games and enjoys stable 1440p60+ gameplay across his library.

Total Cost of Ownership and Value Analysis

The A770 launched at $329, but as of mid-2024, prices have dropped to $279–$299 due to competition from AMD’s RX 7600 XT and NVIDIA’s RTX 4060. Meanwhile, used GTX 1070 Ti cards sell for $120–$150, reflecting their age and limitations.

If you already own a 1070 Ti, the financial decision isn’t about upfront cost—it’s about return on upgrade. For $150–$180 (after selling your old card), you gain:

• ~50% faster raster performance
• Playable ray tracing at 1440p
• Doubled VRAM (16GB vs 8GB)
• Modern AV1 encoding for streaming/editing
• Future driver support (NVIDIA has slowed Pascal updates)

Considering longevity, the A770 is likely to remain viable for another 3–4 years, whereas the 1070 Ti is increasingly strained by new releases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Arc A770 run games better than a GTX 1070 Ti in 2024?

Absolutely. In both synthetic and real-world gaming tests, the A770 delivers 35–50% higher frame rates at 1440p. It also handles modern features like ray tracing and upscaling that the 1070 Ti cannot support effectively.

Do I need a new CPU or motherboard for the A770?

Not necessarily. The A770 works with any PCIe 3.0 or newer slot. However, enabling Resizable BAR (a BIOS setting on most modern motherboards) unlocks significant performance gains—especially in CPU-limited scenarios. Check your motherboard manufacturer’s site for RBAR support.

Is Intel Arc stable enough for daily use in 2024?

Yes. While early drivers were problematic, Intel has addressed most major issues. As of 2024, the Arc A770 offers stable performance in 95% of modern games and creative applications. Community feedback on Reddit and TechPowerUp confirms improved reliability.

Final Verdict: Should You Make the Switch?

For GTX 1070 Ti owners still gaming at 1440p or editing video in 2024, the Intel Arc A770 represents a compelling upgrade path. It’s not just about raw speed—it’s about accessing modern rendering techniques, better media workflows, and longer-term relevance.

The A770 isn’t perfect. Its power draw (~225W) is higher than the 1070 Ti (~180W), and cooling varies by model. But given its price drop, enhanced drivers, and feature set, it now stands as one of the best value upgrades for aging Pascal users.

If you’re tired of lowering settings to maintain playability, or if you want to experiment with ray tracing and AI upscaling without breaking the bank, the A770 is more than “worth it”—it’s a smart investment in your PC’s next chapter.

🚀 Ready to breathe new life into your rig? Evaluate your current setup, check PSU compatibility, and consider giving Intel Arc a try—you might be surprised how far it’s come.