New card or new monitor?

[severus]

Currently have the following

i5 2500k @ 4.4
HD7970 3gb
16gb ddr3 1600
120/480 ssd
Acer 21" 5ms (yikes) 60hz 1080p screen

Debating between dropping around 250-300 on a card or screen. I've been out of the loop since the 7970 came out, I believe we're 3 generations past that now. I still get decent frames with this card, and it played Doom just fine on Ultra. I've not run the BF1 beta yet, but it is preordered. I'm not sure my CPU can really push a Rx480 or GTX 1060. I'm not going higher than 1080p so the lesser models are probably fine.

If I go for a new display, I'd get a BenQ 24" 144hz screen since my new desk allows me to have larger than 21" (I had a 1080p 1ms Soyo 24" that I gave away... I know... )

 

[Headfoot]

The 2500k at 4.4 can still push fast cards. You'd definitely see benefit from a 480 or 1060. It may bottleneck in some CPU heavy sections, but like I say, not enough that you wont still see a big difference from a 1060 6GB for example.

It's hard to buy the new monitor which requires more grunt while keeping the same card

Don't put as much weight on that "5ms" figure as you are. It's meaningless and almost entirely made up. What you need to look at is actually measured latency from a website like TFTcentral. Real grey-to-grey (worst case) on even the fastest monitors is actually in the ~5-20ms range

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/ (images from this article http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2417hj.htm)

Latency is another measurement altogether which includes scalar latency, panel latency...etc.

I'd put exactly zero trust in the figures they claim on the boxes.

 

[Tweak155]

If you're fine with the way your games play and your screen looks, why upgrade? It seems like your post indicates you have no real gripes right now?

 

[moonbogg]

I was on 1080p for a very long time and upgraded video cards many times on 1080p. Choosing between a monitor and a GPU can be a tough call. Go with your gut. If it were me, I'd get a 1440p 27" screen and lower graphics settings. Later when you have the money for a GPU upgrade, you will already have the monitor for it. In the mean time, you can enjoy the nice high quality of 1440p image quality on the desktop and in every program, not just in games. So, the monitor offers more experiential benefit over a GPU IMO, but I wouldn't get another 1080p screen. I have an XB270HU I might sell, but its probably outside of $300 sadly.

 

[justin4pack]

I would probably go with the screen as well. Keep in mind freesync vs g-sync when getting the monitor if you do as what ever card u could could make things cheaper and or more expensive.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

 

[severus]

If you're fine with the way your games play and your screen looks, why upgrade? It seems like your post indicates you have no real gripes right now?

I want to get a larger screen with a lower, more consistent latency at 144hz. It's probably not as big of a deal to most, when I play CS:GO competitively on ESEA and CEVO, my friend that I play with sees things on death cam that I don't because of my monitor (I've been playing counter strike competitively since 2001). It's a very twitch reaction game especially at our level of play and every second counts. I also notice that I get MASSIVE FPS drops in HL engine games but I'm not so sure it's GPU related (I'm talking 300fps down to 80fps sporadically).

 

[guachi]

New monitor.

I'd suggest a higher resolution monitor, but you've decided to stick with 1080 and probably have for reasons.

Recently bought a new monitor and was surprised at how much they've improved since I bought my last monitor six years ago.

Since you have a 7000 series card, you can buy a Freesync monitor at 144hz for $300 or so and benefit from that while you save for a new card.

Even the ultrawide 1080 Freesync monitors aren't that expensive.

 

[Hi-Fi Man]

Since you play competitive CS I'd just go with a good CRT but good luck finding one...

TFT central has a good break down of the different LCD panel types and which monitors have low input lag and fast response times.

 

[Tweak155]

I want to get a larger screen with a lower, more consistent latency at 144hz. It's probably not as big of a deal to most, when I play CS:GO competitively on ESEA and CEVO, my friend that I play with sees things on death cam that I don't because of my monitor (I've been playing counter strike competitively since 2001). It's a very twitch reaction game especially at our level of play and every second counts. I also notice that I get MASSIVE FPS drops in HL engine games but I'm not so sure it's GPU related (I'm talking 300fps down to 80fps sporadically).

Well there you go, new monitor it is!

 

[severus]

I actually had a 19" NEC CRT before this Acer. I got the Acer for free and it fit in the old desk I had, which had an alcove for a monitor in typical 80's fashion. My concern with getting a newer monitor is really that the GPU won't be enough anymore. Since I've waited so long these feel like upgrades that go hand in hand, not one at a time.

I'm trying to understand what freesyncing is while I read about the different panel types. Wouldn't it be better if it was at a constant 144hz instead of 25-144 varying?

 

[Hi-Fi Man]

I actually had a 19" NEC CRT before this Acer. I got the Acer for free and it fit in the old desk I had, which had an alcove for a monitor in typical 80's fashion. My concern with getting a newer monitor is really that the GPU won't be enough anymore. Since I've waited so long these feel like upgrades that go hand in hand, not one at a time.

I'm trying to understand what freesyncing is while I read about the different panel types. Wouldn't it be better if it was at a constant 144hz instead of 25-144 varying?

For a game like CS your 7970 will be fine. More demanding games will require lower settings but the 7970 is still a relevant card.

It is indeed better to have a constant refresh rate and frame rate especially for competitive play.

 

[Headfoot]

Yeah for competitive CSGO I'd try and get a 144hz monitor at 1080p

 

[Smoblikat]

Im in the exact same boat as you. Your CPU definitely wont bottleneck any card for 1080P, its still a very fast CPU. I have a 7970 and was planning on upgrading to either a 290X, 980Ti, or getting a new monitor. As of now I am leaning towards the new monitor. I already have a 23" 1080P monitor, but the reason I want to upgrade is to try out a 120hz monitor. I dont want anything bigger than 24" due to my vision, so I can actually get a really nice "upgrade" for under $200. Technically a 120hz monitor would double my FPS without swapping my card out (assuming I can render the game at 120fps) so hopefully I can see an improvement. Once I get the 120hz screen, eventually I might pick up a 980Ti once they are in the $250 range. There just isnt any graphics card thats out right now that seems like a worthwhile upgrade over my 7970 which plays every single game I throw at it flawlessly.

 

[Painman]

You need a bigger screen. Seriously, 21" is self flagellation.

 

[severus]

I'm fortunate enough to live within 15min of a Microcenter that has the Benq, ASUS and Acer. I'll go look at the lot on the weekend and pick from there

 

[kawi6rr]

I want to get a larger screen with a lower, more consistent latency at 144hz. It's probably not as big of a deal to most, when I play CS:GO competitively on ESEA and CEVO, my friend that I play with sees things on death cam that I don't because of my monitor (I've been playing counter strike competitively since 2001). It's a very twitch reaction game especially at our level of play and every second counts. I also notice that I get MASSIVE FPS drops in HL engine games but I'm not so sure it's GPU related (I'm talking 300fps down to 80fps sporadically).

Since you have a 7970 i would look for a good Freesync monitor, I think you'll get more from your money this way.

 

[severus]

Can someone explain to me how freesync works, from everything that I've read it means that the hz will constantly vary rather than stay locked at say 60 or 144. Why is this a good thing?

 

[Bacon1]

Can someone explain to me how freesync works, from everything that I've read it means that the hz will constantly vary rather than stay locked at say 60 or 144. Why is this a good thing?

Freesync and GSync just remove tearing without having to use VSync which causes input lag as well as can half frame rate when under your monitor refresh rate (as it needs to wait for frames to show non-torn ones). You won't notice dips into 50s as much as you would on a non-g/freesync monitor.

It's a quality of life thing. Freesync is completely worth it since its free, not sure if I'd pay the gsync tax though.

If you play in borderless windowed mode windows will remove tearing for you, with less input lag than vsync while also not capping fps. So it's a good middle ground and worth it for any non-"pro" / competitive gaming.

 

[Face2Face]

Since you have a 7970 i would look for a good Freesync monitor, I think you'll get more from your money this way.

I didn't think GCN 1.0 cards had support for FreeSync?

http://www.anandtech.com/show/9097/the-amd-freesync-review/5

 

[Headfoot]

Freesync and GSync just remove tearing without having to use VSync which causes input lag as well as can half frame rate when under your monitor refresh rate (as it needs to wait for frames to show non-torn ones). You won't notice dips into 50s as much as you would on a non-g/freesync monitor.

It's a quality of life thing. Freesync is completely worth it since its free, not sure if I'd pay the gsync tax though.

If you play in borderless windowed mode windows will remove tearing for you, with less input lag than vsync while also not capping fps. So it's a good middle ground and worth it for any non-"pro" / competitive gaming.

It does more than that. It syncs refresh rate to frame rate, so you get significantly smoother feeling frame delivery without having a higher frame rate. It's much more valuable than just removing tearing IMO. I couldn't believe how much of a difference it makes in games where your frame rate consistently varies

 

[Bacon1]

It syncs refresh rate to frame rate, so you get significantly smoother feeling frame delivery without having a higher frame rate

Right which is why I mentioned that it helps in those dips into 50s. It won't fix super low frame rates, but does make them feel better and not as jerky.

Again, wouldn't pay extra for it and would instead just go with borderless windowed mode, as that does very similar thing already.

 

[severus]

So I'm not sure if this is a deal or not, but I was browsing the Microcenter website and I can get a R9 390X 8gb for ~$200AR. It's the XFX model with a non reference cooler I could get that and my monitor for about the price of a 1070. Is that a decent setup?

 

[guachi]

I didn't think GCN 1.0 cards had support for FreeSync?

http://www.anandtech.com/show/9097/the-amd-freesync-review/5

http://support.amd.com/en-us/search/faq/219

You are partially correct. Freesync is supported on 7000 series cards for some features but not gaming. I misread amd's page when I recommended just getting a freesync monitor.

And, yes, a 390x for $200 is a screaming good deal. I'll repeat my recommendation of a Freesync monitor. Pick the resolution and panel type of your choice. Personally, I love IPS and hate TN but TN has a much wider Freesync range. Many 1080 IPS panels top out at 75Hz and TN panels go all the way to 144Hz.

You should be able to find 1080 Freesync monitors for $120-400 fairly easily.

You can get a 22" Viewsonic 1920x1080 with Freesync for a measly $120 or a 34" 1080 ultrawide IPS from LG for $400 (and lots in between)