GTX 1080 - worth it for me?

[DaPiranha91]

Hi guys,

I'm currently on a R9 290x that's starting to act up (randomly freezing during driver updates, which is frequent because Windows keeps trying to update my video driver). It's purchased used and out of warranty, and I'm having trouble getting help both from Gigabyte (manufacturer) and from forum posts. I game on 1080p right now (but haven't upgraded my monitor in a while - probably next on the list), but I'd like something that can run Skyrim with ENB at 60 FPS without a hiccup (excluding heavily CPU-bound areas; I understand my 4790k isn't top of the line anymore). I have $100 off on Amazon by way of gift cards and I'm thinking about getting a GTX 1080 (non-TI). I have a couple questions.

1. I see a variety of options and price ranges. Is there a big difference in terms of performance and/or noise between, say:

a) Gigabyte Windforce OC $480 https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GeF...&qid=1494484422&sr=1-3&keywords=gtx+1080&th=1

b) Gigabyte G1 Gaming $490 https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GeF...&qid=1494484422&sr=1-3&keywords=gtx+1080&th=1

c) Zotac Founders Edition ($490) https://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-Founde...UTF8&qid=1494657575&sr=1-13&keywords=gtx+1080

c) EVGA SC2 $530 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W51YRVT/ref=twister_B01GFU3AW8?th=1

d) EVGA FTW2 $560 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GAI64GO/ref=twister_B01GFU3AW8?th=1


2. I've only been tracking prices for a couple days - how stable are they? Do they periodically go on sale, or is this kind of a constant price until whenever the next refresh comes out?


3. What's your biggest consideration when choosing a brand? What would make you decide, for example, that the FTW2 is worth almost $100 more than the Windforce?

Thanks for any input!

 

[pippenainteasy]

1) $400 (399.99...) is the lowest I've seen GTX 1080s go for brand new with warranty from authorized resellers.

2) Once every few weeks there will be a sale where you can find them down to $420 or so

3) Noise, ergonomics, and size of the card (if you have a mid tower or smaller case)...in addition to price.

 

[Raendor]

At 1080p I'd rather go for 1070 now, then update the monitor, then get whatever will suit your new monitor from the latest available tech.

 

[misterbobby]

I guess some people forget about DSR...

 

[arestavo]

I guess some people forget about DSR...

Or new games that, even at 1080P, even with a 1080 Ti struggle to maintain 60FPS with max settings (cough, Wildlands, cough).

I typically go with EVGA for motherboards and GPUs for the amazing customer service (US, EU can have bumps) and the warranty + perks. What perks? Step up, warranty extension, advanced RMA, 24/7 tech support in the US, and (again) the amazing customer service.

 

[a3venom]

Get an EVGA, their customer service is in a realm of its own.
Pascal is a poor overclocker so custom boards/binning is pretty much useless.

 

[AlphaQup]

Chiming it to agree with going EVGA, US based customer service, step up program, extended warranties, all around great customer support if needed (personally have never had to use it). I go with them for power supplies and gfx cards, no experience with their mobo's yet.

As far as what card to go with, I've been more then happy with my EVGA 1080 SC purchased almost 1 year ago, it's served me very well and continues to do so.

I'd give it a recommendation if you want to dominate 1080p (with a few exceptions, not sure if you have a higher hz monitor or not), but I'd also give a nod to the 1070 if you're looking at something to tide you over at 1080p for a while. Maybe target a newer card after you make a choice on what monitor to go with down the road?

 

[RamonGTP]

Or new games that, even at 1080P, even with a 1080 Ti struggle to maintain 60FPS with max settings (cough, Wildlands, cough).

I typically go with EVGA for motherboards and GPUs for the amazing customer service (US, EU can have bumps) and the warranty + perks. What perks? Step up, warranty extension, advanced RMA, 24/7 tech support in the US, and (again) the amazing customer service.

I haven't seen reviews for that particular game but honestly a 1080ti not doing 60fps at 1080p is such an extremely fringe phenomonon that it isn't even worth mentioning. I don't actually know of any games that would do it though I'll take your word that particular one exists. Any other examples with links?

 

[arestavo]

I haven't seen reviews for that particular game but honestly a 1080ti not doing 60fps at 1080p is such an extremely fringe phenomonon that it isn't even worth mentioning. I don't actually know of any games that would do it though I'll take your word that particular one exists. Any other examples with links?

Nope, I haven't been playing as many games of late. It really isn't that terrible with Wildlands, just around dusk with explosions or lots of light sources changing while driving at dusk/night where it will dip below 60 FPS. During daylight hours it'll be 70 to 100FPS with very few spots of 60FPS.

There will always be games that are either really demanding at max settings even at a lower resolution, or just not as well optimised as they could be. It's a fact of life for a gamer - with my old 980 Ti it was Assasin's Creed: Syndicate that I had to turn down AA and shadows at 1080P to maintain >60FPS. It was worse, dropping down to the high 30s and low 40s in spots at max settings. Oh, and also Watch Dogs for my 980 Ti - though I forget what settings at 1080P I had to drop down to for fluid play as I hate having even a temporary dip into the 30s and 40s which breaks the experience for me (probably AA and shadows, as they are usually the biggest hit on performance).

 

[RamonGTP]

Nope, I haven't been playing as many games of late. It really isn't that terrible with Wildlands, just around dusk with explosions or lots of light sources changing while driving at dusk/night where it will dip below 60 FPS. During daylight hours it'll be 70 to 100FPS with very few spots of 60FPS.

There will always be games that are either really demanding at max settings even at a lower resolution, or just not as well optimised as they could be. It's a fact of life for a gamer - with my old 980 Ti it was Assasin's Creed: Syndicate that I had to turn down AA and shadows at 1080P to maintain >60FPS. It was worse, dropping down to the high 30s and low 40s in spots at max settings. Oh, and also Watch Dogs for my 980 Ti - though I forget what settings at 1080P I had to drop down to for fluid play as I hate having even a temporary dip into the 30s and 40s which breaks the experience for me (probably AA and shadows, as they are usually the biggest hit on performance).

But that's like saying "don't buy a 1080Ti because I heard someone had a problem with one" I mean the number of games that will have issues at 1080p can be counted on what? 1 finger? If even that? Not to mention most optimization issues are either CPU thread related or multi-GPU related. It's quite rare to have an optimization issue related to a single GPU that's the fault of the game. In the rare event it does happen its typically driver related which is soon fixed..

A 1080 is MORE than adequate for 1080p, and the reasons being given for spending an additional $200+ for a 1080Ti are, at best, examples that are exceptionally rare, or don't even exist at all.

As for AC:Syndicate, I didn't have any issues with my 980Ti and a 1440p monitor. I did have to turn down one setting but I don't recall what it was. I also wasn't looking for 60fps minimum though. As long as it didn't dip below 45 I was happy. That's not the case with all games, but it's not a fast twitch shooter where I actually notice the difference so 45+ felt perfectly fine. I also have a G-Sync monitor so that i'm sure helps with the fluidity.

 

[arestavo]

But that's like saying "don't buy a 1080Ti because I heard someone had a problem with one" I mean the number of games that will have issues at 1080p can be counted on what? 1 finger? If even that? Not to mention most optimization issues are either CPU thread related or multi-GPU related. It's quite rare to have an optimization issue related to a single GPU that's the fault of the game. In the rare event it does happen its typically driver related which is soon fixed..

A 1080 is MORE than adequate for 1080p, and the reasons being given for spending an additional $200+ for a 1080Ti are, at best, examples that are exceptionally rare, or don't even exist at all.

As for AC:Syndicate, I didn't have any issues with my 980Ti and a 1440p monitor. I did have to turn down one setting but I don't recall what it was. I also wasn't looking for 60fps minimum though. As long as it didn't dip below 45 I was happy. That's not the case with all games, but it's not a fast twitch shooter where I actually notice the difference so 45+ felt perfectly fine. I also have a G-Sync monitor so that i'm sure helps with the fluidity.

Gsync changes everything.... as long as you can maintain, what, 35 FPS or more.

 

[GameHard6]

Hi guys,

I'm currently on a R9 290x that's starting to act up (randomly freezing during driver updates, which is frequent because Windows keeps trying to update my video driver). It's purchased used and out of warranty, and I'm having trouble getting help both from Gigabyte (manufacturer) and from forum posts. I game on 1080p right now (but haven't upgraded my monitor in a while - probably next on the list), but I'd like something that can run Skyrim with ENB at 60 FPS without a hiccup (excluding heavily CPU-bound areas; I understand my 4790k isn't top of the line anymore). I have $100 off on Amazon by way of gift cards and I'm thinking about getting a GTX 1080 (non-TI). I have a couple questions.

1. I see a variety of options and price ranges. Is there a big difference in terms of performance and/or noise between, say:

a) Gigabyte Windforce OC $480 https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GeForce-Windforce-GV-N1080WF3OC-8GD-Graphics/dp/B01IR6LMLO/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1494484422&sr=1-3&keywords=gtx+1080&th=1

b) Gigabyte G1 Gaming $490 https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GeForce-Windforce-GV-N1080WF3OC-8GD-Graphics/dp/B01GJEE9BG/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1494484422&sr=1-3&keywords=gtx+1080&th=1

c) Zotac Founders Edition ($490) https://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-Founders-ZT-P10800A-10P-Dual-link-Graphics/dp/B01FMF6DAS/ref=sr_1_13?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1494657575&sr=1-13&keywords=gtx+1080

c) EVGA SC2 $530 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W51YRVT/ref=twister_B01GFU3AW8?th=1

d) EVGA FTW2 $560 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GAI64GO/ref=twister_B01GFU3AW8?th=1


2. I've only been tracking prices for a couple days - how stable are they? Do they periodically go on sale, or is this kind of a constant price until whenever the next refresh comes out?


3. What's your biggest consideration when choosing a brand? What would make you decide, for example, that the FTW2 is worth almost $100 more than the Windforce?

Thanks for any input!

1. From these options your best bet is to go with option A and OC yourself. The WF cooler is quite effective and quiet which is really all that matters on a card if you OC yourself. Otherwise just go with option B the G1 Gaming model that comes with a nice OC out of the box. There's no reason to spend more on the card and I would avoid the FE (loud and hot) unless you plan to put on a waterblock or run SLI (exhausts air from the case).

2. You can find used models for $400+ which is what I recommend.

3. As long as you stick with EVGA, ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, and even Zotac you should be just fine. All are reliable and have nice warranties.

 

[Dayaks]

1080 and use DSR... 1080p looks better than you could ever imagine if you use DSR + some AA.

It will love you long time.

 

[ManofGod]

Hi guys,

I'm currently on a R9 290x that's starting to act up (randomly freezing during driver updates, which is frequent because Windows keeps trying to update my video driver). It's purchased used and out of warranty, and I'm having trouble getting help both from Gigabyte (manufacturer) and from forum posts. I game on 1080p right now (but haven't upgraded my monitor in a while - probably next on the list), but I'd like something that can run Skyrim with ENB at 60 FPS without a hiccup (excluding heavily CPU-bound areas; I understand my 4790k isn't top of the line anymore). I have $100 off on Amazon by way of gift cards and I'm thinking about getting a GTX 1080 (non-TI). I have a couple questions.

1. I see a variety of options and price ranges. Is there a big difference in terms of performance and/or noise between, say:

a) Gigabyte Windforce OC $480 https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GeForce-Windforce-GV-N1080WF3OC-8GD-Graphics/dp/B01IR6LMLO/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1494484422&sr=1-3&keywords=gtx+1080&th=1

b) Gigabyte G1 Gaming $490 https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GeForce-Windforce-GV-N1080WF3OC-8GD-Graphics/dp/B01GJEE9BG/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1494484422&sr=1-3&keywords=gtx+1080&th=1

c) Zotac Founders Edition ($490) https://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-Founde...UTF8&qid=1494657575&sr=1-13&keywords=gtx+1080

c) EVGA SC2 $530 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W51YRVT/ref=twister_B01GFU3AW8?th=1

d) EVGA FTW2 $560 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GAI64GO/ref=twister_B01GFU3AW8?th=1


2. I've only been tracking prices for a couple days - how stable are they? Do they periodically go on sale, or is this kind of a constant price until whenever the next refresh comes out?


3. What's your biggest consideration when choosing a brand? What would make you decide, for example, that the FTW2 is worth almost $100 more than the Windforce?

Thanks for any input!

Boot into safemode and run the DDU program. (This is completely disable the driver updates from Windows.) Then install the 17.5.1 drivers to see if that helps. If the 290x hardware is failing, just buy the cheapest 1080 you can find and enjoy. Otherwise, if the 290x continues to work, run VSR and it will look great as well. (Used to have a 290x and 1080p monitor and vsr worked quite well.)