Which video card by end of the month?

Shyatic

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2004
2,164
34
91
I know I can go for a 1080 (or Ti???) as the top end card, but is it worth it for 4k gaming? I used to look for "best bang for the buck" cards that would last me ~3 years (I have a 970GTX right now that's overstayed its prime and I only game 1080p right now).

Appreciate your thoughts... just trying to make sensible choices for my new build.
 

dlerious

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2004
2,196
982
136
If you play lots of AAA titles, go for a 1080Ti. It's a beast of a card and would last the longest at 4K. Volta won't be until next year, Nvidia is in no hurry to release it until/unless Navi looks like a threat.
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
For 4K you need a 1080ti. If you don't mind lowering settings and/or resolution then you can get something less.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Headfoot

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
35,181
2,327
126
I agree with everyone here, if you're going to game at 4K, get a 1080Ti. To throw another wrench into your plans, I will say that I've got both a 4K and a 2560x1440@144Hz monitor on my gaming system and I'd never go back to 60Hz for gaming. You'd still want a 1080Ti to push all of those frames, but if you haven't already bought a 4K monitor, I'd suggest at least looking at the faster 1440p monitors. Even for non-FPS games, I still enjoy the smoothness.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Grubbernaught

Crono

Lifer
Aug 8, 2001
23,720
1,503
136
Wait until the 1070Ti comes out (due sometime this month). Not to get the 1070Ti, but because the price might drop on 1080Ti and other models to better fit the range.
 

Headfoot

Diamond Member
Feb 28, 2008
4,444
641
126
Yeah a 1080ti wont even run all games maxed at 60 fps at 4k, so you would need still yet more power. 1080 isn't gonna cut it at 4k in new games. For example, I can't get a capped 60 fps at 5760x1080 in Mass Effect Andromeda maxed out on a 1080ti stock. I get 45+ usually around 55, so its within overclocking range of capped 60 but it goes to show you. 5760x1080 is 3x 1080, whereas 4k is 4x 1080 so it would be even harder to run there
 

wilds

Platinum Member
Oct 26, 2012
2,059
674
136
3 years? 4k60 gaming is near the end of its life with 4k144hz coming out next year! If you get a cheap 4k60 monitor now, just get a cheap 1080 and enjoy 60hz gaming as even a 1070 will plow through 4k at such a low hz.

I have been gaming at 4k since the R9 290 was released and my GTX 1070 feels like overkill in most titles. 60 hz is such a low refresh rate. It is 144hz that you should be scared about.

4k144hz will be extremely pricey and will require a very high end GPU. With 4k60 monitors hitting $300, you really don't have to worry too much.

The only title my 1070 cannot hit 60 fps at 4k is Star Citizen. Every other title is an easy locked 60 at near ultra. 4k60 is super easy to run don't worry about it.

A GTX 1080 ti ensures 60 fps in every title at 4k at nearly max settings for the next few years, but I would get the 1080 ti for the 4k144hz monitor :)
 

Headfoot

Diamond Member
Feb 28, 2008
4,444
641
126
The only title my 1070 cannot hit 60 fps at 4k is Star Citizen. Every other title is an easy locked 60 at near ultra. 4k60 is super easy to run don't worry about it.

You gotta be playing some pretty easy to run games if a 1070 can max them out at ultra...

I can just barely max ME:A or Witcher 3 at locked 60 on 5760x1080 with a 1080ti... And I cant max Ghost Recon Wildlands
 

wilds

Platinum Member
Oct 26, 2012
2,059
674
136
You gotta be playing some pretty easy to run games if a 1070 can max them out at ultra...

I can just barely max ME:A or Witcher 3 at locked 60 on 5760x1080 with a 1080ti... And I cant max Ghost Recon Wildlands

Max settings is a complete waste of time; especially in PvP.

I love my medium settings. If you can't stand anything but max, then that is fine!

Also, I would strongly suggest trying medium settings on a native 4k monitor before dismissing it. I love it far more than ultra settings on a native 1080p display.
 
Last edited:

wilds

Platinum Member
Oct 26, 2012
2,059
674
136

Headfoot

Diamond Member
Feb 28, 2008
4,444
641
126
Max settings is a complete waste of time; especially in PvP.

I love my medium settings. If you can't stand anything but max, then that is fine!

Also, I would strongly suggest trying medium settings on a native 4k monitor before dismissing it. I love it far more than ultra settings on a native 1080p display.

That's not the point... you said you run ever title at 'Near Ultra.' Are you saying you actually run at medium? Because that would make a lot more sense how you can run at 4k with a 1070
 

wilds

Platinum Member
Oct 26, 2012
2,059
674
136
That's not the point... you said you run ever title at 'Near Ultra.' Are you saying you actually run at medium? Because that would make a lot more sense how you can run at 4k with a 1070

Games I run at Ultra when gaming at 4k:
Elite Dangerous
GTA V (no AA)
ARMA 3 (no AA)
Warframe

Games I run at near Ultra (Very High) at 4k:
Rainbow Six Siege (except for PvP)
Ghost Recon Wildlands (except for PvP)

There are no games I am forced to run at hard medium settings unless I play pure PvP (like the Division). The 1070 is fine at 4k as long as you don't use the cookie cutter settings reviewers and benchmarks use!

The latest game I ran at near Ultra was Destiny 2. I just had to run one setting at very high and everything else could be maxed out at 4k60 just fine. This is why I am not concerned about 4k60 at all. 60hz is such an easy refresh rate.

I also should note this is at 3840x2160 NOT at 4096x2160. I got to try all these games on my friend's 4096x2160 TV and got around 8-10 FPS lower in every title. Big drop!

It is 4k144hz that enthusiasts should be looking to.
 

dlerious

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2004
2,196
982
136
It is 4k144hz that enthusiasts should be looking to.
I'm running 1440p 144Hz. I'm afraid to see the price on the 4K 144Hz monitors -be nice if I could grab a 34" for $800-$1000, but I'm afraid it's going to be 3x that. I'd like to start seeing QDLED monitors at a decent price too.
 

2is

Diamond Member
Apr 8, 2012
4,281
131
106
3 years? 4k60 gaming is near the end of its life with 4k144hz coming out next year! If you get a cheap 4k60 monitor now, just get a cheap 1080 and enjoy 60hz gaming as even a 1070 will plow through 4k at such a low hz.

I have been gaming at 4k since the R9 290 was released and my GTX 1070 feels like overkill in most titles. 60 hz is such a low refresh rate. It is 144hz that you should be scared about.

4k144hz will be extremely pricey and will require a very high end GPU. With 4k60 monitors hitting $300, you really don't have to worry too much.

The only title my 1070 cannot hit 60 fps at 4k is Star Citizen. Every other title is an easy locked 60 at near ultra. 4k60 is super easy to run don't worry about it.

A GTX 1080 ti ensures 60 fps in every title at 4k at nearly max settings for the next few years, but I would get the 1080 ti for the 4k144hz monitor :)

You either think video cards are far more powerful than they really are or think 4K is far less demanding than it really is. A 1070 will not "plow through" 4k60 nor will a 1080Ti ensure 60fps in every title maxed out for the next few years.
 

wilds

Platinum Member
Oct 26, 2012
2,059
674
136
You either think video cards are far more powerful than they really are or think 4K is far less demanding than it really is. A 1070 will not "plow through" 4k60 nor will a 1080Ti ensure 60fps in every title maxed out for the next few years.

You and I have different definitions of maxed out. At 4k, I don't really see the need for AA, but many do so I can absolutely understand why a 1080 ti will crumble at just 60 hz.
 

Shyatic

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2004
2,164
34
91
I think this is why I am going to go 1440 for the forseeable future; it's not worth going to 4k when the only thing I get are downsides in gaming.

Another two years, I'll upgrade graphics and the monitor to 4K.
 

bystander36

Diamond Member
Apr 1, 2013
5,154
132
106
You either think video cards are far more powerful than they really are or think 4K is far less demanding than it really is. A 1070 will not "plow through" 4k60 nor will a 1080Ti ensure 60fps in every title maxed out for the next few years.
The point he was making is he does NOT max out settings. He'll reduce a couple settings here or there, to be near Ultra, but reducing the biggest performance hog of a setting. It really is a smart way to play. Maxed out is over rated. The biggest advantage of Maxed out is not the visuals, it's that you don't have to adjust settings. The difference between high and maxed out is pretty small these days.
 

4K_shmoorK

Senior member
Jul 1, 2015
464
43
91
Could wait and check out the benchmarks for the 1070 Ti, might be the new price/perf/availability king. Might not. If you've waited this long, might as well wait a couple more weeks. Should be the last card released this gen by both AMD/nV
 

Shyatic

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2004
2,164
34
91
Could wait and check out the benchmarks for the 1070 Ti, might be the new price/perf/availability king. Might not. If you've waited this long, might as well wait a couple more weeks. Should be the last card released this gen by both AMD/nV
I already bought a 1080Ti actually, so now it's just off to the monitor. :)
 

tential

Diamond Member
May 13, 2008
7,348
642
121
I already bought a 1080Ti actually, so now it's just off to the monitor. :)
People aren't even paying attention. Most of the time they're just using the thread as a proxy to continue their arguments from whenever.

The monitor you linked is what I would get if I was getting a GTX 1080Ti now. Your setup is what I would get for 4K gaming and I wouldn't get anything less than it.
Feel happy with your choices, I like them, good luck and please let us know how it goes.

Will you be upgrading to Gsync 144hz 4k in 2018?

Edit: I see you're now leaning towards the ultra wide. Everything is a compromise imo until 4k 144hz. Once that comes out, it's a must upgrade to stay on the cutting edge for those with high end setups.