Best Video Card for GAMING (with i7-8700)

vilhiem

Weaksauce
Joined
Aug 24, 2005
Messages
125
What's the best video card for gaming?

My latest configuration specs include:
  • Intel Core i7-8700K
  • CORSAIR DOMINATOR Platinum 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4-25600) (2x16)
 
GTX 1080ti but the 2000 series is right around the corner. Titan V would be next bet if you wanted to spend the money on it.
 
LOL ... $3000 video card!!! The occasional smugness on these forums always cracks me up

Hey, cut it out! You asked for the best, and I told you!

And no, sadly I can't afford it either.

If you're in the same boat as I am, you're better off waiting for August and the launch of the new nVidia series. If you can't wait until then, a 1080 Ti is your best bet.
 
Sorry ... I say the 'smugness' half-jokingly. But seriously, I always assume the 'default' question is regarding 'reasonable' cost products for most people on this board. I did say for gaming ... so if I need to say price, let's say around $500-$800
 
Sorry ... I say the 'smugness' half-jokingly. But seriously, I always assume the 'default' question is regarding 'reasonable' cost products for most people on this board. I did say for gaming ... so if I need to say price, let's say around $500-$800

1080Ti --> done, or wait for next releases. If prices are too high, wait.
 
$500-$800

Only buy 16gb RAM (32 is excessive for gaming) and stretch that $800 and get the most inexpensive 1080ti you find in stock that is not PNY.

What kind of monitor do you have or are you picking up?
 
I agree the best that's not crazy is the GTX 1080 Ti. Otherwise wait till the next gen cards are out in the Fall, the GTX 2080 series
 
the fastest you can afford. I had a 8700k setup back in January, used an EVGA GTX 1070 Ti Ultra Silent card and it really was, ummm, silent (takes up 2 1/2 slots though). Ran any game smoothly on max setting but when I cranked down some of the eye candy I can't really see while gaming (like Tess and occlusion, etc) I can run games smooth at 80+ fps @ 1080p using FX-6300 and GTX 970 and saved what, $1300 as well? You have to decide if having games load faster is worth an extra $1300 LOL
 
What's the best "reasonable," which I'd define as 75% of optimum. Meaning the most bang for your buck.
 
I will go the middle ground here. Since you have not stated what resolution or frame rate you are targeting, I will assume you need a gaming card now, but would like to maximize your bang for the buck. I would recommend you pick up a 1050 ti at the best price you can find, and hold the rest in savings for the next generation coming out this summer. The 1050 ti is a workable 1080p card if you are willing to relax the settings, and I think that it could be easily resold for a fair price, and you can then invest in a card that will last until the next major release a couple of years down the road (if not longer).
 
You list the top CPU, and complain when someone lists the top GPU?

Me thinks you are just trying to get attention for your new rig: "look everybody, I gots a new shiny 8700".

Reasonable is different for everyone, so you need to list a budget at least.
 
You list the top CPU, and complain when someone lists the top GPU?

Me thinks you are just trying to get attention for your new rig: "look everybody, I gots a new shiny 8700".

Reasonable is different for everyone, so you need to list a budget at least.

Listing a card that costs $3k that isn't even available yet, is not helping the guy. What currently is out, and the best card would be the 1080ti.
 
the Titan V is out. 3k. Last time I spent 3k for fun was suspension, fuel system, beefed up trans and a port on my supercharger for my car.
 
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Last time i paid 3k was for a 2003 350z with 120k on clock. Will never pay that much for a graphics card. Honestly, my 290x which was released in 2014 can run most games max at 1080p.

I can only imagine a 1060 gtx can run all games at max 1080p. That card is only 250. If your trying to game higher resolutions, then your looking at the mid to high range cards.

Just purchased a 1080ti off the for sale forum, to start max setting gaming at 4k. Been gaming at 4k with none max settings for years with my 2x 290x.
Wasn't going to pay 700+ for a 1080ti, but i told myself how long can i keep these 290x, haha paid 600 for the both of them 4 years ago, whats another 100 dollars to keep a 1080ti for 4 years.
 
1. Titan V
2. Titan Xp
3. GTX 1080 Ti

These are your choices, otherwise wait until July for the 1100 series.
 
I need a new monitor too ... would like a 4K display ... but also looking into those large wrap-around screens. Again ... as for price ... under $1,000 for sure.

Thanks for understanding NIZMOZ
 
Sorry ... I say the 'smugness' half-jokingly. But seriously, I always assume the 'default' question is regarding 'reasonable' cost products for most people on this board. I did say for gaming ... so if I need to say price, let's say around $500-$800

If you don't give us any insight into what you want, you give the responders free reign to post whatever the fuck.

Your processor is the best for every game in existence, so obviously a $3000 video card would not be be processor-limited.

We can't make any assumptions if you don't provide:

(1) game list
(2) desired resolution
(3) desired frame rates

For all we know you're a 1080p 60Hz gamer who only plays Rocket League. Enjoy your GT 1030 :D


See how assumptions are a waste everyone's time? If you had actually posted your desires, I would have given you a straight answer by now.

Many types of games (MMOs, racing games, flight sims) are more processor-limited than GPU-limited, so you can also cheap-out on those. If you tend to stick to one genre of game, that can reduce the hit on your wallet as well.

All you have to do is open the channel of communication with us, like you should have done in four first post.
 
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That's about all I play.... In 4K on an i5 760 (10yr's old) and a GTX 1070. Works like a champ with everything cranked at about 70-90 FPS...

/Highjack

Exactly my point. We don't know what the fuck vilhiem plays or what resolution, and until then he's going to get shit for an answer.

Even more casual games (DOTA 2 Reborn) could get by with a GTX 1060 6GB at 4k (with room to grow). While more demanding titles require a UP TO GTX 1080 Ti OR MORE. That's a huge fucking performance window!

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Dota-2-Reborn-Notebook-and-Desktop-Benchmarks.194972.0.html
 
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OP, it wouldn't be a bad idea to put all the relevant info in your initial post (edit it to include resolution, refresh rate, etc. need the maximum eye candy? budget? games played, etc.) so we don't have to go through the thread and piece it together (might cut down on the lul replies too.)

I do agree that you don't need 32GB of DDR4 strictly for gaming, that money could be spent elsewhere, and who knows, pick up another 16GB kit when DDR4 isn't stupid expensive.

Also, if you have a proposed build, I'd post up the rig's specs. No mention of the case/PS etc. either. Some of those cards have MASSIVE coolers on them and might not fit your unknown to me case (I'm getting by with 2-3mm on the end of my 1080 in my Cosmos SE, it was a TIGHT fit.)

Effort on your part = quality recommendations on our end, give us all the info you can and we'd be more then happy to chime in.
 
what do you mean by "The Best" ?

Buy the fastest card you can afford and be sure to buy EVGA if you want a warranty that actually exists. They have free 24/7 phone tech support (average wait time for me has been about 4 minutes per call). No other company comes close, most will send back your broken card and forget about reaching their warranty department by phone or email (which they never seem to respond too for some strange reason or other - like increased profit at your expense?)
 
what do you mean by "The Best" ?

Buy the fastest card you can afford and be sure to buy EVGA if you want a warranty that actually exists. They have free 24/7 phone tech support (average wait time for me has been about 4 minutes per call). No other company comes close, most will send back your broken card and forget about reaching their warranty department by phone or email (which they never seem to respond too for some strange reason or other - like increased profit at your expense?)

Are you an EVGA rep? :p
 
EVGA has a good reputation for honoring their warranty. In my view, it's concerning that it happens often enough that you end up needing that warranty. :eek:
 
Are you an EVGA rep? :p

no, I no longer work in the tech industry (not for the past 25 years). Just personal experience with EVGA. The fact that I can call them 24/7 and reach a tech in short order blows all other companies out of the water (I email/call MSI, Gigabyte and ASUS numerous times in the past - never got an email reply and never reached a human on the phone).

EVGA often wins PC industry Customer Service awards and for good reason
 
CPU doesn't really matter much at all in the context of your question -- you could go all the way back to Intel Sandy Bridge and it'd be the same recommendation to follow - it's the video card that matters for gaming --- and as to what video card you need - that depends on what monitor resolution you are gaming at.

My general recommendation would be as follows:

970, or 1060 6GB for 1080p resolution at 60hz - $200-$250
or
RX570 or RX580

980TI, 1070, 1070TI, or 1080 for 1440p resolution - $350-$600
or
Fury X, Vega 56

1080TI for 4K resolution - $700- $800
or
Vega 64


There is never much reason to buy the Titan cards, unless you have unlimited funds. They have a "stupid tax" assigned. The general reality is you get 5% more performance for 50% more cost, and they will be outdated in the same timeframe as the top general consumer card (ie 1080TI) of that particular cycle. So the extra 50% cost isn't buying you anything long term either.

If you have a high refresh rate monitor you might consider grabbing a card from the next higher tier - unless you use adaptive synch like Gsync or Freesync at which point your game will be smooth enough that's unnecessary.
 
CPU doesn't really matter much at all in the context of your question -- you could go all the way back to Intel Sandy Bridge and it'd be the same recommendation to follow - it's the video card that matters for gaming --- and as to what video card you need - that depends on what monitor resolution you are gaming at.

My general recommendation would be as follows:

970, or 1060 6GB for 1080p resolution at 60hz - $200-$250
or
RX570 or RX580

980TI, 1070, 1070TI, or 1080 for 1440p resolution - $350-$600
or
Fury X, Vega 56

1080TI for 4K resolution - $700- $800
or
Vega 64


There is never much reason to buy the Titan cards, unless you have unlimited funds. They have a "stupid tax" assigned. The general reality is you get 5% more performance for 50% more cost, and they will be outdated in the same timeframe as the top general consumer card (ie 1080TI) of that particular cycle. So the extra 50% cost isn't buying you anything long term either.

If you have a high refresh rate monitor you might consider grabbing a card from the next higher tier - unless you use adaptive synch like Gsync or Freesync at which point your game will be smooth enough that's unnecessary.

Agree with this post. I'll add that from personal experience if you hare doing 1440p @144-165hz just get the 1080 ti. Running those high refresh rates/fps it's really nice to have the horsepower to back it up.
 
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