Gtx 1080 underperforming, is it The cpu ?

[Carfax83]

When you get a high refresh monitor with a powerful video card, you need to make sure that the rest of your system is strong enough to drive that combination. In this case, it clearly isn't. Your CPU is obviously holding the rest of your system back.

The only options you have are:

1) Set your monitor's refresh rate lower, from 144 to say 85Hz, or use a framerate limiter. This is like wasting money in a way, because you bought a 144Hz monitor, but you can't use its full capabilities.

2) Get a higher resolution monitor, ie 2560x1440 or 3440x1440 to put more burden on the GPU, and less on the CPU.

3) Upgrade the rest of your system, to something like a 8700K with 16GB of DDR4 3200. This would unleash the full performance of your GPU and monitor, and you would be set for years to come.

 

[bystander36]

I don't subscribe to the idea that you have to push 144 FPS if you buy a 144hz monitor. You buy a high refresh monitor so you don't need to have v-sync on, and it "can" push high hz when it's applicable, but by no means is it required. But if you have a low resolution, getting a GTX 1080 is only considered if you are going to push high FPS, but it also requires a substantial CPU to get there.

 

[Carfax83]

I don't subscribe to the idea that you have to push 144 FPS if you buy a 144hz monitor. You buy a high refresh monitor so you don't need to have v-sync on, and it "can" push high hz when it's applicable, but by no means is it required.

Not sure if I understand this comment. Tearing occurs when the GPU output doesn't match the monitor's refresh rate. So with V-sync disabled on a 144Hz monitor, you will get tearing unless your system can output FPS at a fast enough rate, or unless your monitor supports dynamic refresh rates ie Gsync or Free Sync.

 

[bystander36]

Not sure if I understand this comment. Tearing occurs when the GPU output doesn't match the monitor's refresh rate. So with V-sync disabled on a 144Hz monitor, you will get tearing unless your system can output FPS at a fast enough rate, or unless your monitor supports dynamic refresh rates ie Gsync or Free Sync.

But, with a refresh rate at 144hz, it is very hard to see the tearing, and things are very smooth without V-sync on. Of course if you have G-sync or FreeSync it is better, but I do hear a number of people with those monitors who can't tell the difference if their refresh rate is 144hz or better. Clearing away the tears 2.4 times faster than normal, is pretty good all by itself.