GPU for blowout 1080p gaming

[Winston Marmaduke III]

Hey all,

I'm getting ready to build a new PC for gaming. I haven't gamed in years, and could use some advice.

I'm interested in top performance 1080p. I'd rather have blowout 100+ frame rates in 1080p than struggle and have to upgrade in a year or two messing with 1440p.

I had a 1070/Gsync GPU and screen setup chosen....with the logic that that should last me a long long time if I'm only doing 1080p and give me great performance.

Is my logic sound? Is a 1070 overkill if I plan on sticking with 1080p? Should I step down to a 1060 or rx 480? Or is that 1070 a good, but more expensive, choice for top performance and future proofing at this resolution?

I've seen some youtube vids of a guy using a GTX-1070 in 1440p and in his games it still kinda struggled. So I'm thinking that would be a better 1080p card to max out settings and get monster frame rates.


Thanks.

 

[Rifter]

Great choice and will future proof you for years to come if you stick to 1080P.

 

[bystander36]

If you want 100+ FPS, even the GTX 1070 won't always get you there, but with a few settings changes it will. It's the choice I made, and am happy with it.

 

[Winston Marmaduke III]

Wow okay, so my logic is surprisingly sound. That doesn't happen often haha. Definitely go with the GTX-1070 then and stop trying to find reasons to cheap out with an RX 480. Thanks!

 

[tential]

Your logic isn't too sounding. There will always be settings you can enable that can bring even the strongest gpu to its knees.
With that said, if you can afford a 1070 and don't need any features like freesync, I see no reason to get a 480.

The logic that it will last you a long time at 1080p is a joke if you're using max settings. You may get 2 years out of it tops but if you're looking for a gpu to last you a long time, Russian sensation has shown so many times on here that you're better off with the cheaper gpus and selling it off and upgrading rather than expecting a gpu to last a long time.

If you want proof, see how a gtx 970 is doing now at 1080p. 1070 in 2-3 years will need to be upgraded if you're trying to max settings out at 1080p.

Just saying keep your expectations in line, especially with how Nvidia gpus age.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

1070 in 2-3 years will need to be upgraded if you're trying to max settings out at 1080p.

I'd argue against this. The big reason why there's a 2-3yr turnaround right this second with certain GPU sets are really vram barriers moreso than capability. The 970 is an especially bad example due to the 3.5GB weirdness. If you had bought a 980ti back when they were released (Jun2015), you'd probably get a solid 4-5 years out of it at 1080p (possibly not bleeding edge, might have to turn off the 'render individual blades of grass' setting). Right now if you get a card at 8GB, like say that 1070, I'd wager it would last past 2020, again, as long as you aren't concerned with the stupid high settings (I bet the 6GB RAM barrier of the ti gets tripped before the processing capability, hence my guessing the 980TI going obsolete before the 1070... architecture/driver refinements notwithstanding).

 

[Rifter]

Your logic isn't too sounding. There will always be settings you can enable that can bring even the strongest gpu to its knees.
With that said, if you can afford a 1070 and don't need any features like freesync, I see no reason to get a 480.

The logic that it will last you a long time at 1080p is a joke if you're using max settings. You may get 2 years out of it tops but if you're looking for a gpu to last you a long time, Russian sensation has shown so many times on here that you're better off with the cheaper gpus and selling it off and upgrading rather than expecting a gpu to last a long time.

If you want proof, see how a gtx 970 is doing now at 1080p. 1070 in 2-3 years will need to be upgraded if you're trying to max settings out at 1080p.

Just saying keep your expectations in line, especially with how Nvidia gpus age.

It really depends on your willingness to turn down settings. I find if you are willing to turn down a few key settings in most games, that have little effect on IQ you can squeeze alot of life out of most GPU's. That said i do think AMD GPU's age alot better, but with no AMD high end option right now thats a moot point.

 

[tential]

It really depends on your willingness to turn down settings. I find if you are willing to turn down a few key settings in most games, that have little effect on IQ you can squeeze alot of life out of most GPU's. That said i do think AMD GPU's age alot better, but with no AMD high end option right now thats a moot point.

Yes, he said max settings. I was stating he needs to be keeping his expectations in line. No gpu is getting max settings at 1080p for 5 years. It's just not happening with how the gpu market is and how games are.
Op could get titan xp, I still wouldn't say it'd last 5 years at max settings 1080p.

If he's turning down settings... He might get away with the 1060 in the first place, and then my recommendation of buying and selling on a quicker cycle leads to better performance over the time period he'll game at for those 5 years.

I'm not saying don't get a 1070, just be realistic with how it will run 3 years from now.

 

[Head1985]

Even today there are games where GTX1070 cant hold 60fps at max settings.
Crysis3 max with 8xMSAA
Witcher3 with hairworks
Tomb raider with SSAA
Dishonored2
call of duty remastered with 4x supersampling

 

[Winston Marmaduke III]

By the way you guys are talking, even a GTX-1080 wouldn't even last long. My last gaming card was a GTX-660 (non-Ti) and I thought it was the bee's knees hah.

Right now I just want something to rock out Doom and Skyrim Remastered, while keeping an eye towards future games I may want to be be able to play.

 

[Winston Marmaduke III]

For less money, I could actually run video off the 6700K and just game on an Xbox heh. But that would mean sacrifices in performance, graphics, and having to use a stupid controller.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

Right now I just want something to rock out Doom and Skyrim Remastered, while keeping an eye towards future games I may want to be be able to play.

You'll be fine with a 1070 @1080p for the next 5 years.

 

[bystander36]

Even today there are games where GTX1070 cant hold 60fps at max settings.
Crysis3 max with 8xMSAA
Witcher3 with hairworks
Tomb raider with SSAA
Dishonored2
call of duty remastered with 4x supersampling

This is an important topic. People have to be willing to be reasonable with setting, otherwise no GPU is good enough. 8xMSAA, SSAA, and sometimes things like PhysX and Hairworks have to be turned down (although I maintain 75+ FPS with a GTX 1070 with the Witcher 3 at max settings, and Hairworks at 4x, a notch below maxed).

SSAA should never be used on any demanding game. That is an extravagance that is used on low end games. 4xMSAA is really the max you should use, unless you have GPU power to burn. Things like PhysX, Hairworks and such, are on a game by game basis.

If you can follow the above rules, a GTX 1070 will work. If not, you are in for a bump ride no matter what GPU you buy and will likely toss away a lot of money chasing after those settings.

 

[Winston Marmaduke III]

Nice thanks. I don't like upgrading generally anything in less than 5 year increments. I'm coming from an Athlon X4 Propus quad core and 660, and the only reason I'm wanting to upgrade now is b/c my wife took that box when she left. So now I *have* to replace it heh.

 

[Thinker_145]

Your logic isn't too sounding. There will always be settings you can enable that can bring even the strongest gpu to its knees.
With that said, if you can afford a 1070 and don't need any features like freesync, I see no reason to get a 480.

The logic that it will last you a long time at 1080p is a joke if you're using max settings. You may get 2 years out of it tops but if you're looking for a gpu to last you a long time, Russian sensation has shown so many times on here that you're better off with the cheaper gpus and selling it off and upgrading rather than expecting a gpu to last a long time.

If you want proof, see how a gtx 970 is doing now at 1080p. 1070 in 2-3 years will need to be upgraded if you're trying to max settings out at 1080p.

Just saying keep your expectations in line, especially with how Nvidia gpus age.

This holds true if someone is buying a 1080 or Titan XP with the intention of using them for many years. The 1070's price/performance is close enough to 1060/480 that there is no reason not to buy it if you can afford it.

 

[Thinker_145]

This is an important topic. People have to be willing to be reasonable with setting, otherwise no GPU is good enough. 8xMSAA, SSAA, and sometimes things like PhysX and Hairworks have to be turned down (although I maintain 75+ FPS with a GTX 1070 with the Witcher 3 at max settings, and Hairworks at 4x, a notch below maxed).

SSAA should never be used on any demanding game. That is an extravagance that is used on low end games. 4xMSAA is really the max you should use, unless you have GPU power to burn. Things like PhysX, Hairworks and such, are on a game by game basis.

If you can follow the above rules, a GTX 1070 will work. If not, you are in for a bump ride no matter what GPU you buy and will likely toss away a lot of money chasing after those settings.

I agree 8xMSAA is a joke but SSAA is simply amazing. I played Crysis 1 and Metro 2033 Redux maxed with 2xSSAA on a 1070 and it was a glorious experience. Pretty sure neither the 1060 or 480 can do that at 1080p. If I were very rich I'll buy a Titan XP so I could do that in as many games as possible. The whole concept of GPU overkill is a complete joke.

4xSSAA is also really unnecessary. There are overkill settings yes but to get to that point is actually fairly demanding to begin with.

 

[Winston Marmaduke III]

This is my build so far:

Thoughts?

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/javyn/saved/2vXP6h

 

[Thinker_145]

Nice thanks. I don't like upgrading generally anything in less than 5 year increments. I'm coming from an Athlon X4 Propus quad core and 660, and the only reason I'm wanting to upgrade now is b/c my wife took that box when she left. So now I *have* to replace it heh.

If you want to be a serious PC gamer you need to realize that a GPU needs to be upgraded more often than that. There is no reason not to "like" upgrading before 5 years. It's all about the total money you spend in those 5 years.

For example if you have $600 to spend on a GPU for the next 5 years then buying a 1080 would be quite a mistake. Buy a 1070, pocket $200, sell it for $100-150 after 2-3 years and buy something much more powerful than the 1080 in the same amount of money which will avoid you the misery of using a 4 year old 1080. After 5 years are complete the resale value of your second card will be higher than that of a 1080 so you are actually spending less money in terms of depreciation.

 

[Thinker_145]

This is my build so far:

Thoughts?

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/javyn/saved/2vXP6h

Looks great but get a modular PSU.

 

[Winston Marmaduke III]

Thanks Thinker. Well I'm not a competitive gamer, and Skyrim and Doom are the only games I'm interested in at the moment. Perhaps cheaping out on something I know can run those well, and just buy a new card whenever Elder Scrolls 6 comes out.

I had initially selected a modular PSU but figured, he I'll save 10 bucks and get a non-modular one and rely on my case's cable management features heh.

 

[Headfoot]

Yeah I'd highly suggest instead of sitting on an expensive GPU for 5 years, you get a less expensive GPU and replace it more often. You end up a lot better off for it.

 

[tential]

Thanks Thinker. Well I'm not a competitive gamer, and Skyrim and Doom are the only games I'm interested in at the moment. Perhaps cheaping out on something I know can run those well, and just buy a new card whenever Elder Scrolls 6 comes out.

I had initially selected a modular PSU but figured, he I'll save 10 bucks and get a non-modular one and rely on my case's cable management features heh.

Get the modular psu... Why are you PC gaming if you're going to skimp on things like this?
You mention Xbox gaming... I don't get users like this. If you're going to skimp to save $10 then I'd recommend just going to console gaming.

How long a gpu lasts has nothing to do with how fast it is now. It's that games are getting more demanding and less optimized....

Buying a gpu while even remotely referencing the games you're playing now given your time frame makes no sense sense.

Either choose a faster upgrade cycle, lower your settings more often or lower your expectations.

 

[Winston Marmaduke III]

I'm trying to dip my toe in the PC gaming waters after a long absence. Not a pro gamer or anything like that. I was joking about the Xbox. I could never abide one of those paddle style controllers. And what's the benefit of a modular PSU aside from hot having cables that I could easily route out of sight anyway? I had a modular OCZ which died and replaced with a non-modular Corsair Bronze on my old box and it didn't bother me. So essentially I chose the non-modular Corsair Bronze this time because that's the one that didn't die on me last time heh.

Good point though, I'm realizing after reading the responses here trying to future proof gaming is a fool's errand. Just get a RX 480, and save money by opting Freesync over Gsync as far as a display goes, and upgrade later when a new game comes out that catches my eye. 480 will run Skyrim and Doom just fine.

I want to get into gaming for escapism after work, not anything competitive.

 

[tential]

By the way you guys are talking, even a GTX-1080 wouldn't even last long. My last gaming card was a GTX-660 (non-Ti) and I thought it was the bee's knees hah.

Right now I just want something to rock out Doom and Skyrim Remastered, while keeping an eye towards future games I may want to be be able to play.

You just need to change your notion that because a gpu is fast today, it will last a long time. Next year, the gtx 2070 will be as fast as a 1080ti. The year after, the 3070 will be as fast as the 2080ti.

That's pretty large jumps in power for the mid level gpu from Nvidia. So why would a 1070 last 5 years when gpus are getting far faster each generation?

You'd be better off looking at past gpu launches and realizing you never see anyone talking about how fast a gtx 680 is today.... Or a 7970 ghz edition (probably faired a lot better but still my point stands).

 

[Headfoot]

I'm trying to dip my toe in the PC gaming waters after a long absence. Not a pro gamer or anything like that. I was joking about the Xbox. I could never abide one of those paddle style controllers. And what's the benefit of a modular PSU aside from hot having cables that I could easily route out of sight anyway? I had a modular OCZ which died and replaced with a non-modular Corsair Bronze on my old box and it didn't bother me. So essentially I chose the non-modular Corsair Bronze this time because that's the one that didn't die on me last time heh.

Good point though, I'm realizing after reading the responses here trying to future proof gaming is a fool's errand. Just get a RX 480, and save money by opting Freesync over Gsync as far as a display goes, and upgrade later when a new game comes out that catches my eye. 480 will run Skyrim and Doom just fine.

I want to get into gaming for escapism after work, not anything competitive.

Modular just gets the cables out of there. Less clutter and better air flow, basically.