What Graphics Card for High-End 1080p Build?

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Treggaz

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Hello,

So I decided to build a mid to high end build, saving money where I can, yet still building a future-proof and competitive system that will be able to run games at (preferably) max settings with comfortably over 60fps. I am building for 1080p gaming at 144hz so obviously I am looking for something to hit that mark to make the 144hz worthwhile.

Now I was originally going to buy a Gigabyte G1 GTX 970, which seemed to be more than enough for 1080p gaming and has a decent option for an SLI config in the future. I was worried however that the whole 144 frames factor would be an issue as it may not be able to hit that. So I started considering maybe a 980 or 980 ti. Research wise, I have found the 980 to be not worth its while and so it is between the 970 and the 980 ti now. I do realise that the 980 ti would be pretty much overkill atm for just a 1080p config, considering that it would be more useful in maybe a 1440p one. However I am trying to keep somewhat of a future orientation in mind and I do think that an SLI 970 would be slightly limiting with the newer games?

Here is my current build I have in mind http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/fBDnzy, obviously there is no GPU selected atm. Another note, the build will be coloured white and blue preferebly so something like an MSI or Asus isnt really in my targets, I am more leaning towards the G1 with the windforce cooling.

Thankyou for reading that mini essay and for hopefully offering some knowledge and wisdom!
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
 
Solution
ErikVinoya
You may be cutting your options too thin wanting something that can do 1080p/144fps, but is not for a 1440p build. With the options available right now, you pretty much need something for 1440p to guarantee 144fps at 1080p.
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ErikVinoya

ErikVinoya

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You may be cutting your options too thin wanting something that can do 1080p/144fps, but is not for a 1440p build. With the options available right now, you pretty much need something for 1440p to guarantee 144fps at 1080p.
 
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Gallarian

Gallarian

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The 980ti is NOT overkill for 1080p gaming. I own one, and before upgrading my monitor to the new RoG Swift, I was playing at 1080p 60hz, and still would find games that would drop me below 60fps with highest settings on - GTA:V, Witcher 3, TW: Attila, just to name a few.

To me, overkill means something you plain and simply do not need as it gives no added benefit over a lesser model. In the case of the 980ti, that definition does not fit.

If one of the best cards on the market still can't give you the freedom to turn everything all the way up and still maintain FPS above your refresh rate 95% of the time, it cannot be called overkill.

If you want to have an amazing experience at 1080 and want to reach 144fps in a lot of games, then go for the 980ti.

The 980 is one of the worst price : performance cards currently available so is simply not worth the money. If youre set on Team Green, then go for the 970 if you're happy with 1080@60fps, or the 980ti or if you want 1080p@144hz.


Edt: The EVGA NEX series PSUs aren't that great. Go with one of their Supernova GS or G2 ranges (minimum of 550watt for 980ti).
 
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Treggaz

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So do you think that the 980 ti is worth the jump in price and performance? obviously I just want to make use of both the 144hz monitor and keep it relatively future proof
 
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bystander

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You have to be aware that a lot of times the limiting factor, when shooting for high FPS, is the CPU. Make sure not to skimp there and yeah, if you aren't CPU limited, 100+ FPS will take advantage of the 980ti on many new games.

I may also add that if you are looking to future proof your system, you really can't, but you may note that people tend to keep their CPU/Motherboard/RAM for 5+ years these days, while upgrading GPU's every 2ish years. It may be worth "futureproofing" the CPU, motherboard and RAM, and going with a more current to your needs GPU now, and upgrade in a couple years. The next gen of GPU's is going to be on a smaller process, and likely will improve greatly, as well as more designed specifically for DX12's changing needs.
 
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Treggaz

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Thankyou all for the responses! Well it seems like the 980 ti is the way to go so some more saving up is going to have to be done to grab that one. I'll look into a better psu and it'll definitely be modular. I don't believe that I should be CPU limited here? I do have the latest of the haswell series but the thing that worries me is the Nvidia Pascall that is set for release in 2016. Supposedly massive improvements in comparison to current GPU's. Still Would you recommend and upgrade of motherboard, cpu (Skylake) and possibly DDR4 ram or? If that is what you are talking about in regards to future proof as that should support the newer DX12 shouldn't it?

Thanks again for the help!
 
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Treggaz

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Ah thankyou for the advice here! Well it looks like the option of a 980 ti is set in stone for me now. As with a better power supply. I am however, a little worried about the Nvidia Pascal architecture that is set for release next year? I heard that has some pretty large improvements. Will that harm much in terms of future proofing?
 
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Treggaz

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Hello! Thanks for the reply, well I think in regards to the cpu, it will either be one of the latest haswell or skylake processors, however their price difference and performance differences are negligible so would you recommend the skylake for future improvements? It will be an i5 as I have no real need for an i7 processor and I doubt I will be overclocking it. What would you recommend for futureproofing something like the motherboard and ram? Are you talking along the lines of DDR4 and a motherboard that will support skylake? I am indeed worried about nvidia Pascal due to the massive improvements it brings to the table and thus I am quite hesitant on spending the money for a 980 ti if it will soon be very much so superseeded. What do you think?
 
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Treggaz

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Ahh I see, thanks for the advice here! I am now heavily leaning towards the 980 ti :3
 
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bystander

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This is the problem with "futureproofing", a lot of it requires guess work. You say HT makes no difference, but there are a few recent games which actually use it and gain performance, which "might" make a 6700k worth something, or even a 5820k (OC it, as stock clock is low) for 6 real cores. With DX12, there is promise that games will be multithreaded a lot more. For someone only after 60 FPS, the CPU choice is easier, but you are looking at 144 FPS. The 20% faster IPC of the 6700k or 2 extra cores on a 5820K may help you get closer to that goal. I am noticing my Dragon Age Inquisition game using 6 full cores in a few areas, just as a for your information.

I'm a lot like you, I don't just want 60+ FPS. I require 75+ FPS or I experience nausea after a little time playing games. The CPU plays a huge part in that.
 
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Treggaz

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Ahh i see what you mean, so in that case what would you recommend? motherboard and cpu wise?
 
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bystander

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Like I said, it's all a guess, but in my opinion, the i7 5820k is the most future proofing option at a respectable price. I bought one for $320 this week at Fry's, which is less than an i7 6700k. It gives you 2 more real cores and 4 threads. The i7 6700k also makes a lot of sense with it's 20% faster instructions per clock and HT. While both may not be all that useful right now, in a couple years, you may be glad you did spend a bit extra for that extra power.

These are your best "future proofing" options. If you want to plan for today, the i5 6600k is probably your best option, but in 4 years, I expect you'll have wished you went with the i7. All these new engines seem to promise multithreading, and not just on all the physics, but on the main draw call thread. While the i5 may struggle with being slow, the i7's have HT to make up some of the distance, and the 5820k has 2 extra cores to take advantage of multithreading. This of course assumes that those games will be well threaded.

Wow, looking at that site you are on, the i7's are expensive. Are you sure you want to look at "future proofing". I doubt either of the two options I mentioned would be worth the cost there.
 
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Treggaz

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Well I mean that is the point I am trying to get at here. I'm not going to go and spend 2-3k on some high end pc that'll be considerably far back in just a few years to come. I am willing to spend to make sure it will last me into the future to some extent but money doesn't grow on trees and I do want to keep this build as cheap as possible. All prices are in Aud and when considering that, compared to usd it's considerably more expensive. So I am at a loss as to what to do. I can get a 980 ti, which is soon to be superseded, or I can get a better cpu and what not which may also be superseded and thus in the near future, either could result in lacklustre performance in newer AAA titles and what not.

So therefore, I am even more unsure as to what to do now than I was before! :/
 
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bystander

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Forget about "future proofing". Graphics cards advance too fast to future proof, and CPU prices (all prices for that matter) are very high where you are. What you plan should last a couple years at least. Your CPU will last a while, but forget about maintaining that 144, or even 100+ FPS on newer games as time goes on.
 
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