Components required for a GTX 1070/1080 graphics card

canning_s · Jul 29, 2016

1. I am looking to buy a GTX 1070 or 1080 graphics card and am not sure on the card to buy
2. What, if any, upgrades do I need for my current pc system so that the card will work correctly

Also, I am going to add 16GB RAM added rather than my current 8GB RAM for this card.

Can someone please help me with this?

Here are my current specs from SiSoftware Sandra:

Computer
Mainboard : ASRock Z87 Pro4
Total Memory : 8GB DIMM DDR3

Processors
Processor : Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4670K CPU @ 3.40GHz (4C 3.7GHz, 3.7GHz IMC, 4x 256kB L2, 6MB L3)
Socket/Slot : FC LGA1150

Chipset
Memory Controller : ASRock Core (Haswell) DRAM Controller 100MHz, 8GB DIMM DDR3 1.6GHz 64-bit

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : G.Skill F3-14900CL9-4GBXL 4GB DIMM DDR3 PC3-14900U DDR3-1866 (11-11-11-29 5-40-13-6)
Memory Module : G.Skill F3-14900CL9-4GBXL 4GB DIMM DDR3 PC3-14900U DDR3-1866 (11-11-11-29 5-40-13-6)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : SONY TV
(1920x1080, 40.0")
Video Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 (8CU 1536SP SM5.0 1.14GHz/1.29GHz, 512kB L2, 2GB 7GHz 256-bit, PCIe 3.00 x16)

Graphics Processor
CUDA GP Processor : NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 (1536SP 8C 1.14GHz/1.29GHz, 512kB L2, 2GB 7GHz 256-bit)
OpenCL GP Processor : NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 (1536SP 8C 1.14GHz/1.29GHz, 128kB L2, 2GB 7GHz 256-bit)
Compute Shader Processor : NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 (1536SP 8C 1.14GHz/1.29GHz, 512kB L2, 2GB 7GHz 256-bit)
OpenGL Processor : GeForce GTX 770/PCIe/SSE2 (2GB)

Storage Devices
Samsung SSD 840 EVO 120GB (120GB, SATA600, SSD, SED) : 112GB (C

Seagate ST1000DM003-1CH162 (1TB, SATA300/600, 3.5", 7200rpm) : 932GB (E

HL-DT-ST BD-RE WH14NS40 (SATA150, BD-RE, DVD+-RW, CD-RW) : N/A (D

Logical Storage Devices
System Reserved : 350MB (NTFS, 4kB) @ Samsung SSD 840 EVO 120GB (120GB, SATA600, SSD, SED)
Seagate 1TB (E

: 932GB (NTFS, 4kB) @ Seagate ST1000DM003-1CH162 (1TB, SATA300/600, 3.5", 7200rpm)
Hard Disk (C

: 111GB (NTFS, 4kB) @ Samsung SSD 840 EVO 120GB (120GB, SATA600, SSD, SED)
Hard Disk : 450MB (NTFS, 4kB) @ Samsung SSD 840 EVO 120GB (120GB, SATA600, SSD, SED)
Optical Drive (D

: N/A @ HL-DT-ST BD-RE WH14NS40 (SATA150, BD-RE, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)

Jester Maroc · Jul 29, 2016

OK, so if you are not planning on upgrading your monitor there is absolutely no point in purchasing a GTX1080 or even a 1070. A GTX1060/RX480 would be able to play consistent 60fps @ 1080p in almost all titles available today, and it will not change too much in the next 2-3 years. You will be able to save a lot of money by going for a cheaper card (maybe use the savings for a bigger SSD?).

Now, if you do plan on getting a better monitor, the GTX1080 or GTX1070 would be fantastic for your system. Since you already have a GTX770 in your build I assume that you have a good PSU, and both the GTX1070/1080 draw less power than the GTX770, so changing your PSU would not be required. Therefore upgrading anything other than the memory would be unnecessary.

Everything in your current system is compatible with a GPU upgrade.

This is the cheapest GTX1070 with non-blower style cooling http://pcpartpicker.com/product/Tv38TW/evga-geforce-gtx-1070-8gb-sc-gaming-acx-30-video-card-08g-p4-6173-kr

This is the cheapest GTX1080 with non-blower style cooling http://pcpartpicker.com/product/FwcMnQ/msi-video-card-geforcegtx1080armor8goc

A GTX1070 would be a bit cheaper and can handle all games at 2k with excellent FPS, but if you plan on playing 4k games I would recommend going for the GTX1080 for future-proofing and the best FPS.

What games do you play? This can help us advise you better.

xDeuiii · Jul 29, 2016

Too many unnecessary information. Break it into sections like this with PRECISE but not EXCESSIVE information.

CPU(Processor)

MOBO(Motherboard)

GPU(Graphic Card)

RAM

HDD(Hard Drive)

CASE

PSU(Power Supply Unit)

canning_s · Jul 29, 2016

Jester Maroc :

OK, so if you are not planning on upgrading your monitor there is absolutely no point in purchasing a GTX1080 or even a 1070. A GTX1060/RX480 would be able to play consistent 60fps @ 1080p in almost all titles available today, and it will not change too much in the next 2-3 years. You will be able to save a lot of money by going for a cheaper card (maybe use the savings for a bigger SSD?).

Now, if you do plan on getting a better monitor, the GTX1080 or GTX1070 would be fantastic for your system. Since you already have a GTX770 in your build I assume that you have a good PSU, and both the GTX1070/1080 draw less power than the GTX770, so changing your PSU would not be required. Therefore upgrading anything other than the memory would be unnecessary.

Everything in your current system is compatible with a GPU upgrade.

This is the cheapest GTX1070 with non-blower style cooling http://pcpartpicker.com/product/Tv38TW/evga-geforce-gtx-1070-8gb-sc-gaming-acx-30-video-card-08g-p4-6173-kr

This is the cheapest GTX1080 with non-blower style cooling http://pcpartpicker.com/product/FwcMnQ/msi-video-card-geforcegtx1080armor8goc

A GTX1070 would be a bit cheaper and can handle all games at 2k with excellent FPS, but if you plan on playing 4k games I would recommend going for the GTX1080 for future-proofing and the best FPS.

What games do you play? This can help us advise you better.

Thank you for your reply.

I am thinking of buying a HTC Vive, and am playing Elite Dangerous. Elite Dangerous at 4k is what I am thinking of with a GTX1080.

What monitor would you recommend that would utilize the GTX1080?

Jester Maroc · Jul 29, 2016

Awesome, then the GTX1080 is definitely the best for your needs.

If you have the money then this latest monitor reviewed right here on Tom's is a fantastic buy: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/acer-predator-xb321hk-uhd-monitor,4681.html

If that is too expensive then this 1440p https://www.amazon.com/Acer-XB270HU-bprz-27-inch-Widescreen/dp/B00UPVXDA8 monitor would be an awesome buy with buttery smooth game play.

n0ns3ns3 · Jul 29, 2016

That would be THE MONITOR http://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/predator-x34-series
but it's 1200$.
and for now there is no 34" 3440x1440p@75Hz monitors for less than 850$

Not sure how is Vive performance of those cards, but for gaming, IMHO a GTX 1070 is enough unless you have 4K monitor. The 4K monitors are not that great for gaming as they are only 60Hz. Once you try 75Hz or more monitor, you can not go back to 60Hz monitors.
Aslo, for the 1070/1080, i'd drop into your system i7-3770.
in many games, i5 will leave ~30-40% of GTX 1070 unused - not to mention GTX 1080.
So without spending too much, a decent GTX 1060 with custom cooler will be ideal - EVGA GTX 1060 SC GAMING would be great choice.
Going 1070 or 1080 will require an investment in upgrading CPU and monitor. Otherwise it would be a waste.

Jester Maroc · Jul 29, 2016

n0ns3ns3 :

That is a bold claim, an i5-4670K CPU bottle-necking a 1070 by ~30-40%? I have never seen more than 10% performance difference (between i5/i7) , and in most games the performance is almost identical.

canning_s · Jul 29, 2016

Thanks.

Would a 4K Ultra HD TV work well as a monitor? Here is a resource link: http://www.sony.co.nz/product/kd-49x8300c

Also, my PSU is a Antec 620W. Here is a resource link: http://www.antec.com/product.php?id=705192&fid=5022035&lan=nz

BTW I am wanting to upgrade my graphics card because of the specs needed for a HTC Vive, and not for gaming on my current monitor.

Jester Maroc · Jul 29, 2016

A TV is never a good platform for gaming if you want high FPS. TVs generally have very poor refresh rates plus you will not get the advantage of G-Sync, which is a must if you are going for high FPS.

At the moment you can stick to you 1080p monitor and save till you can afford a decent 1440p or higher 144hz monitor to match up with either a GTX1070 or GTX1080.

n0ns3ns3 · Jul 29, 2016

canning_s :

You have an excellent PSU.
The TVs are generally not good for high-end gaming due to low refresh rate and high lag. There are exceptions, but very few.

n0ns3ns3 · Jul 29, 2016

Jester Maroc :

Not all games and not on all resolutions. I was talking about 1080p.
Higher resolutions will have lower if at all "waste".
Here is the topic discussed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s42gvVS77dU
be sure there are more games with similar behavior and even more to come.

Jester Maroc · Jul 29, 2016

Wow, that is not good news (for me and my upgrade plans)! Thanks for sharing n0ns3ns3!!

canning_s definitely listen what he wrote, you will need an i7 if you plan to go for 144hz gameplay with a GTX1080. If not you will bottleneck your GPU with the newest games.

It is excellent news for the future potential of gaming though, finally games are utilizing the potential of current processors!

canning_s · Jul 30, 2016

n0ns3ns3 :

That would be THE MONITOR http://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/predator-x34-series
but it's 1200$.
and for now there is no 34" 3440x1440p@75Hz monitors for less than 850$

Not sure how is Vive performance of those cards, but for gaming, IMHO a GTX 1070 is enough unless you have 4K monitor. The 4K monitors are not that great for gaming as they are only 60Hz. Once you try 75Hz or more monitor, you can not go back to 60Hz monitors.
Aslo, for the 1070/1080, i'd drop into your system i7-3770.
in many games, i5 will leave ~30-40% of GTX 1070 unused - not to mention GTX 1080.
So without spending too much, a decent GTX 1060 with custom cooler will be ideal - EVGA GTX 1060 SC GAMING would be great choice.
Going 1070 or 1080 will require an investment in upgrading CPU and monitor. Otherwise it would be a waste.

For the i7-3770, are there any other changes that I would need to make to my current PC components?

n0ns3ns3 · Jul 31, 2016

Z87 means that you have socket 1150 - Ge 4 i7 like i7-4790K.
Gen 3 (i7-3770) is different socket. it will not fit into your motherboard.

canning_s · Jul 31, 2016

n0ns3ns3 :

What motherboard do you recommend?

n0ns3ns3 · Jul 31, 2016

There is nothing wrong with your MB.
Just look for the i7-4770K or i7-4790K. Even used will be fine.
here is the new one https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00KPRWAX8/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

canning_s · Jul 31, 2016

n0ns3ns3 :

And the above i7s will be correct for the GTX1080?

n0ns3ns3 · Jul 31, 2016

Yes, it will be a good pair in any current game.

canning_s · Aug 2, 2016

n0ns3ns3 :

How about future proofing for 4K games?

n0ns3ns3 · Aug 2, 2016

there is no such thing as future proofing

canning_s · Aug 3, 2016

Jester Maroc :

How about for the HTC Vive, and not for a gaming monitor? Should I consider getting an i7 when using a HTC Vive with a GTX1080?

Components required for a GTX 1070/1080 graphics card

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