NVIDIA GPU / Monitor / Gaming Questions.

FenFox

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 20, 2016
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292
So I currently have a GeForce GTX 770 (yuck).

I really do want to upgrade my graphics card but I have a difficult time bringing myself to pay double or more for a video card (1070 or 1080).

But as of right now my 770 won't play certain games on "recommended" settings according to Steam. Doom and Dark Souls 3 will only play on minimum.

So this brings me to my first question.

1.) If you had to recommend a video card upgrade what would it be?
-1 suggesting taking price into account.
-1 suggestion taking performance into account.

How much should a 1070 / 1080 even cost in CAD before the price hike?

2.) I'm looking to buy a 2k or a 4k G-Sync monitor. I imagine that my 770 will struggle to game at 2k? 4k for sure...
Since I've only ever used 1080p monitors, if I do use a 2k monitor, will I able to set my display to 1080p when gaming or will this cause issues?

Thanks
 
DOOM (2016) should run decently at 1080p using the Vulkan API with medium settings, maybe with some high mixed in there. Not sure about Dark Souls 3.

A 1070 Ti would be the best deal right now for 1440p if you can find one for close to MSRP. Your best bet would be to camp the NVIDIA store. For 4K I would suggest nothing weaker than a 1080 Ti.
The 1070 and 1080 were $599 and $799 CAD originally, if I'm not mistaken.
upload_2018-3-12_15-17-29.png


Your GTX 770 will definitely struggle at 1440p.
You can set a 1440p monitor to 1080p, but the display will look blurry outside of its native resolution. A better option would be to run at 1440p and reduce the resolution scaling if the game supports it.

Generally speaking, these are the video cards and their target performance resolutions:

GTX 1050 Ti, GTX 1060, RX 570, RX 580 = 1080p
GTX 1070, GTX 1070 Ti, GTX 1080, RX Vega 56, RX Vega 64 = 1440p
GTX 1080 Ti, NVIDIA Titan X, NVIDIA Titan Xp = 4K
 
DOOM (2016) should run decently at 1080p using the Vulkan API with medium settings, maybe with some high mixed in there. Not sure about Dark Souls 3.

A 1070 Ti would be the best deal right now for 1440p if you can find one for close to MSRP. Your best bet would be to camp the NVIDIA store. For 4K I would suggest nothing weaker than a 1080 Ti.
The 1070 and 1080 were $599 and $799 CAD originally, if I'm not mistaken.
View attachment 58074

Your GTX 770 will definitely struggle at 1440p.
You can set a 1440p monitor to 1080p, but the display will look blurry outside of its native resolution. A better option would be to run at 1440p and reduce the resolution scaling if the game supports it.

Generally speaking, these are the video cards and their target performance resolutions:

GTX 1050 Ti, GTX 1060, RX 570, RX 580 = 1080p
GTX 1070, GTX 1070 Ti, GTX 1080, RX Vega 56, RX Vega 64 = 1440p
GTX 1080 Ti, NVIDIA Titan X, NVIDIA Titan Xp = 4K

Hmm I see. Very informative post, thank you.

I guess I'll have to camp the NVIDIA store as you say. Do you have any preferred brands for NVIDIA GeForce Cards? I usually buy EVGA. Specific amount of RAM/Kind of RAM or anything else to suggest/things I should look for when buying an NVIDIA GPU?

I don't like the idea of buying a 1080p monitor because It's outdated tech and if I do buy a new high-end GPU It's kinda wasted on a 1080p screen (that's the way I look at things anyway). BUT if I set that 1440p monitor to 1080p i'll end up with a "blurry" look as you say. Do most games allow resolution scaling? I'm not sure what to do in this situation. I'm looking to buy a G-Sync monitor. Do you recommend that I buy the 2K display and deal with this "blurry" look until I can get a new video card, or do I just go for the 1080p monitor? Technically, according to your list my 770 isn't even good enough for 1080p lol.
 
If you're buying from the nVidia store you get the FE version (nVidia reference). If you can find it in stock at least you're 'only' paying MSRP instead of whatever price a retailer feels like fleecing you for.

For brands, I've always bought ASUS but many have reported the notorious ASUS warranty process. EVGA has what looks to be the best warranty service; my concern is that EVGA is known for it, which means they probably receive more returns than average. Pick your poison. :meh:
 
Buy the GPU. The monitor + GPU will be expensive and you will probably have to compromise on one of them by quite a margin. I kind of hate saying that considering in the 1440p 144hz monitor is the best upgrade I've made in the last 5 years.
 
If you're buying from the nVidia store you get the FE version (nVidia reference). If you can find it in stock at least you're 'only' paying MSRP instead of whatever price a retailer feels like fleecing you for.

For brands, I've always bought ASUS but many have reported the notorious ASUS warranty process. EVGA has what looks to be the best warranty service; my concern is that EVGA is known for it, which means they probably receive more returns than average. Pick your poison. :meh:

MSI GTX 1080 Gaming X is selling at a cool $609 at Amazon when it is in stock, pretty reasonable pricing and shows frequently according to nowinstock, heck, manage get one myself.
 
If you're buying from the nVidia store you get the FE version (nVidia reference). If you can find it in stock at least you're 'only' paying MSRP instead of whatever price a retailer feels like fleecing you for.

For brands, I've always bought ASUS but many have reported the notorious ASUS warranty process. EVGA has what looks to be the best warranty service; my concern is that EVGA is known for it, which means they probably receive more returns than average. Pick your poison. :meh:

Is there any benefit to having an FE version (reference) over every other brand like Asus/EVGA/MSI etc? Or is it better to have a non-FE card?
 
Not really a lot of Reference cards been good cards, there mighttt be some others that clock alittle better though maybe usually how it worked.
 
Hmm I see. Very informative post, thank you.

I guess I'll have to camp the NVIDIA store as you say. Do you have any preferred brands for NVIDIA GeForce Cards? I usually buy EVGA. Specific amount of RAM/Kind of RAM or anything else to suggest/things I should look for when buying an NVIDIA GPU?

I don't like the idea of buying a 1080p monitor because It's outdated tech and if I do buy a new high-end GPU It's kinda wasted on a 1080p screen (that's the way I look at things anyway). BUT if I set that 1440p monitor to 1080p i'll end up with a "blurry" look as you say. Do most games allow resolution scaling? I'm not sure what to do in this situation. I'm looking to buy a G-Sync monitor. Do you recommend that I buy the 2K display and deal with this "blurry" look until I can get a new video card, or do I just go for the 1080p monitor? Technically, according to your list my 770 isn't even good enough for 1080p lol.
Well, my list is of the current product lineup, though the 1050 Ti is about the equivalent of a GTX 780 in terms of performance. I'd buy the 1440p monitor and deal with the image until you get a new videocard. The monitor will last you longer than the video card.
 
Is there any benefit to having an FE version (reference) over every other brand like Asus/EVGA/MSI etc? Or is it better to have a non-FE card?

FE cards use blower coolers (i.e. vent outside the case) and by some accounts don't cool as well as custom cards. Flip side is since they're reference cards, you can buy a water blook or a better air cooler for them (but added cost).

When nVidia released the FE editions, they priced them above the 'official' MSRP which many people (myself included) have/had issue with. In today's over-inflated market the FE may actually be a good deal, though I have to hold my nose while I say that.
 
Well, my list is of the current product lineup, though the 1050 Ti is about the equivalent of a GTX 780 in terms of performance. I'd buy the 1440p monitor and deal with the image until you get a new videocard. The monitor will last you longer than the video card.

1050 Ti is roughly the equivalent of a GTX 780? Whoa. That seems strange. I guess I'll have to do some reading on video cards then since I apparently know nothing! I figured bigger number = faster.

I guess I'm going to spend the next month glued to my monitor to try and find a card at MSRP. So I should be looking for a 1070 priced at roughly $599 CAD or a 1080 priced at $799 CAD? That goes for FE and non-FE versions?

While I'm pretty sure these cards will work with my computer, I just want to double check so I'll post some of my specs down below. And with these specs is it still worth getting a GPU upgrade or will there be some sort of bottleneck via the CPU on a 2k or 4k monitor?

Motherboard: Gigabyte Z87X-D3H
Processor: Intel Core i7-4770 CPU @ 3.40GHz
RAM: Kingston 16 GB DDR3
Seasonic MI2 Bronze Evo Edition. 750W ATX 12V

Around January 25th a local computer shop was selling an Asus GTX 1070 Ti for $849 CAD. Going by your above pricing suggestions I assume that's a huge rip-off?
 
A 1070 Ti would be the best deal right now for 1440p if you can find one for close to MSRP. Your best bet would be to camp the NVIDIA store.

I got a 1070ti from the nVidia store last week after signing up for email alerts and purchasing right away, so there is hope if you decide to go this route!
 
I got a 1070ti from the nVidia store last week after signing up for email alerts and purchasing right away, so there is hope if you decide to go this route!

But the problem with Nvidia store is it doesn't get restock very often :/
 
But the problem with Nvidia store is it doesn't get restock very often :/

I will agree with that, but signing up for some alerts, for example with nowinstock or a similar site could yield some results. I think I had to wait two weeks from signing up to purchasing.
 
So can anyone help me out with my previous post? Also, can I not get a 1080 from the store?
 
I will agree with that, but signing up for some alerts, for example with nowinstock or a similar site could yield some results. I think I had to wait two weeks from signing up to purchasing.

Oh yea, it helps, just have to be quick about it since the window is pretty short.
 
So can anyone help me out with my previous post? Also, can I not get a 1080 from the store?

Regarding the 1070TI for $849CAD? I find that a ripoff for 650 US Dollars, I would just set an alert at NowInStock.net for a MSI Gaming X GTX 1080 on Amazon, was able to nabbed one for 609 US Dollars 4 days ago, but since you are in Canada, I am not sure if it is the same for Amazon.ca.

For purchasing on Nvidia store, it is really a waiting game to see when the notification pops up and when it does, you have to be very quick about it if you want to get one.
 
Regarding the 1070TI for $849CAD? I find that a ripoff for 650 US Dollars, I would just set an alert at NowInStock.net for a MSI Gaming X GTX 1080 on Amazon, was able to nabbed one for 609 US Dollars 4 days ago, but since you are in Canada, I am not sure if it is the same for Amazon.ca.

For purchasing on Nvidia store, it is really a waiting game to see when the notification pops up and when it does, you have to be very quick about it if you want to get one.

This part:

While I'm pretty sure these cards will work with my computer, I just want to double check so I'll post some of my specs down below. And with these specs is it still worth getting a GPU upgrade or will there be some sort of bottleneck via the CPU on a 2k or 4k monitor?

Motherboard: Gigabyte Z87X-D3H
Processor: Intel Core i7-4770 CPU @ 3.40GHz
RAM: Kingston 16 GB DDR3
Seasonic MI2 Bronze Evo Edition. 750W ATX 12V
 
I say go for a GPU upgrade rather than a complete system redo, I use a GTX 1070 on my i5-3570k on a Dell S2716DG display, never felt my CPU is slowing me down when I game at 1440p resolution. At 2k or 4k, you will hit a GPU bottleneck before you hit a CPU bottleneck, now if you run sub 1080p, then I will say you will experience a CPU bottleneck but at that resolution, do you really need over 100+ FPS?
 
I say go for a GPU upgrade rather than a complete system redo, I use a GTX 1070 on my i5-3570k on a Dell S2716DG display, never felt my CPU is slowing me down when I game at 1440p resolution. At 2k or 4k, you will hit a GPU bottleneck before you hit a CPU bottleneck, now if you run sub 1080p, then I will say you will experience a CPU bottleneck but at that resolution, do you really need over 100+ FPS?

Ok, will a 1070/1080 be compatible with my mobo?
 
1050 Ti is roughly the equivalent of a GTX 780? Whoa. That seems strange. I guess I'll have to do some reading on video cards then since I apparently know nothing! I figured bigger number = faster.

I guess I'm going to spend the next month glued to my monitor to try and find a card at MSRP. So I should be looking for a 1070 priced at roughly $599 CAD or a 1080 priced at $799 CAD? That goes for FE and non-FE versions?

While I'm pretty sure these cards will work with my computer, I just want to double check so I'll post some of my specs down below. And with these specs is it still worth getting a GPU upgrade or will there be some sort of bottleneck via the CPU on a 2k or 4k monitor?

Motherboard: Gigabyte Z87X-D3H
Processor: Intel Core i7-4770 CPU @ 3.40GHz
RAM: Kingston 16 GB DDR3
Seasonic MI2 Bronze Evo Edition. 750W ATX 12V

Around January 25th a local computer shop was selling an Asus GTX 1070 Ti for $849 CAD. Going by your above pricing suggestions I assume that's a huge rip-off?
We're 2 generations on from the 700 series. Generally, it falls back one level as you jump a generation, but the 1000 series is on a new architecutre. So a 780 ≈ 970 ≈ 1060. The 1050 Ti really falls in between a 770 and 780, though. $849 is a ripoff for a 1050 Ti.
The GTX 780 is not the equivalent of the 1050Ti, without even using the mythical 6GB version:




The 1050Ti is more in line with the GTX 680/770:

https://www.techspot.com/article/1588-geforce-gtx-680-revisit/

Well I said "about" and most of the data I've seen shows it falling in between and 770 and 780.
Ok, will a 1070/1080 be compatible with my mobo?
Yes. I have a Z87X-UD3H and am running a NVIDIA Titan X. It has gone through a GTX 570, GTX 780, GTX 780 SLI, GTX 970 SLI, and GTX Titan X before that. Only differences between the D3H and UD3H is the latter has more USB ports, more SATA ports, and more features for overclocking.
 
I am kind of in the same boat. I currently have a I7-4790k and I don't think I really need to upgrade that so I was thinking I would get a new monitor (gsync) and a 1080ti but the cost is insane.

I am seriously thinking of just buying a new system. Microcenter is selling a powerspec system with a I7-8700K with an 1080ti for 2,000 bucks. If I just bought a 1080ti and a monitor I would be damn near at 2,000.

So I am debating ...
 
We're 2 generations on from the 700 series. Generally, it falls back one level as you jump a generation, but the 1000 series is on a new architecutre. So a 780 ≈ 970 ≈ 1060. The 1050 Ti really falls in between a 770 and 780, though. $849 is a ripoff for a 1050 Ti.

Well I said "about" and most of the data I've seen shows it falling in between and 770 and 780.

Yes. I have a Z87X-UD3H and am running a NVIDIA Titan X. It has gone through a GTX 570, GTX 780, GTX 780 SLI, GTX 970 SLI, and GTX Titan X before that. Only differences between the D3H and UD3H is the latter has more USB ports, more SATA ports, and more features for overclocking.

I said that it was $849 CAD for a 1070 Ti, not a 1050 Ti - Is your opinion still the same?

Do you know how many HDDs my motherboard can house? Motherboard: Gigabyte Z87X-D3H
I have 3 in it right now, but am looking to get 2 more.

Based on what I've read here and from what I've watched in YouTube videos recently, it sounds like I should try to go for a FE 1080 Ti from the Nvidia Store @ MSRP to future proof myself a bit because It's the only card that can do 4k at a good frame rate. Though I haven't looked into the Titan cards, there's no way I'm paying that kinda money.
 
I said that it was $849 CAD for a 1070 Ti, not a 1050 Ti - Is your opinion still the same?

Do you know how many HDDs my motherboard can house? Motherboard: Gigabyte Z87X-D3H
I have 3 in it right now, but am looking to get 2 more.

Based on what I've read here and from what I've watched in YouTube videos recently, it sounds like I should try to go for a FE 1080 Ti from the Nvidia Store @ MSRP to future proof myself a bit because It's the only card that can do 4k at a good frame rate. Though I haven't looked into the Titan cards, there's no way I'm paying that kinda money.

For a 1070TI, this is still pricy, I am with you, if you are gonna spend that much, might as well try to get a 1080TI.
 
I am kind of in the same boat. .

If you're willing to spend 2k CAD, these are your options from my perspective.

1.) Get the GPU at MSRP + Buy the monitor. You get a top-of-the-line GPU and a fantastic monitor for approximately 2k - even less if USD. This is what you want, no? Pointless to upgrade your computer.
2.) You buy a new computer ($2k CAD/USD) which leaves you without a G-Sync monitor. So great, you got a new machine with the GPU you want, but have fun with the screen tearing.

Best option is #1 only if you can get MSRP.

Other thing you need to consider if you go for the pre-built is the performance hit you're going to take on your processor due to Spectre and Meltdown (which I think will be addressed in newer 8th gen Intel processors coming out in the 2nd half of this year.)
 
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I said that it was $849 CAD for a 1070 Ti, not a 1050 Ti - Is your opinion still the same?

Do you know how many HDDs my motherboard can house? Motherboard: Gigabyte Z87X-D3H
I have 3 in it right now, but am looking to get 2 more.

Based on what I've read here and from what I've watched in YouTube videos recently, it sounds like I should try to go for a FE 1080 Ti from the Nvidia Store @ MSRP to future proof myself a bit because It's the only card that can do 4k at a good frame rate. Though I haven't looked into the Titan cards, there's no way I'm paying that kinda money.

That mobo has 6xSATA ports, so in essence you could get 3 more drives, if your not using one for optical, and if your case has enough HDD/SSD space.
 
That mobo has 6xSATA ports, so in essence you could get 3 more drives, if your not using one for optical, and if your case has enough HDD/SSD space.

Ok, so this is what the case is currently housing: 1x SSD, 2x HDDs, 1x Optical Drive (lol yea I know), 1x NZXT 5.25-Inch Hue RGB LED Color Changing Controller.

There looks to be 5 unoccupied drive bays in my case. This is my case: Fractal Design Define R4.
Though, the drive bays don't mean much if my mobo can't support 2 extra HDDs.

Still able to use 2 additional HDDs?

I have no idea what HDD sizes I want to get but definitely NOT SSDs. I need more space. Minimum 4 TB per, but probably more like 6-8 TB per. I'd need to look at HDDs and pricing though. I'm an emulation junkie lately and that shit takes up so much storage and I need a backup in case a drive fails.
 
Ok, so this is what the case is currently housing: 1x SSD, 2x HDDs, 1x Optical Drive (lol yea I know), 1x NZXT 5.25-Inch Hue RGB LED Color Changing Controller.

There looks to be 5 unoccupied drive bays in my case. This is my case: Fractal Design Define R4.
Though, the drive bays don't mean much if my mobo can't support 2 extra HDDs.

Still able to use 2 additional HDDs?

I have no idea what HDD sizes I want to get but definitely NOT SSDs. I need more space. Minimum 4 TB per, but probably more like 6-8 TB per. I'd need to look at HDDs and pricing though. I'm an emulation junkie lately and that shit takes up so much storage and I need a backup in case a drive fails.

I don't see a problem with you adding 2 more HDD's
You can also buy a SATA card and add more drives in the future if need be.
 
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So Linus advocates for a 1070/1070Ti to power 1440p
And a 1080Ti to power 4k.

So if you're going for 4k and a good frame rate 1080Ti is a must. Heck even if you just want to future proof a bit then this card seems like a must.
Although, the 1080Ti has been out for a year now... Is that considered dated? Maybe something a lot better just around the corner and worth waiting?

The 1070Ti seems very good for the price/performance. Seems the performance bump from 1070ti to 1080 isn't worth the cost. An extra 4 FPS on average for $100? Are you kidding me?

And I'd save $327.53 going for the 1070Ti over the 1080Ti. An average of 32 FPS more for the 1080Ti though. Tough call.

- 6:43 IN.
 
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