Upgrading from my GTX970 to a new GPU

LandonRicketts

Hey all,

With my birthday coming up i've decided that I'm going to treat myself to a new GPU. Not sure what I want to upgrade to. Was thinking a 1070ti but the reviews are not gushing about the card and looking for some advice. Below are my specs:

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3
RAM: 16GB DDR3(2 X 8GB)
GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 970
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC Mate
PSU: beQuiet! 550W

K.O.Kiki

1070 Ti is a big upgrade from the 970, just don't buy it at prices close to 1080.

LandonRicketts

Thanks for the reply! I forgot to add that I also have an Oculus Rift. My PSU is also 600W not 550W. Had to crack open the case just to double check! There will be enough power supply for the 1070ti? I won't have to upgrade the PSU aswell?

Not sure what 1070ti to get as there is so many different vendors cards to choose from. I was thinking of getting this MSI one since my current 970GTX is the MSI 4GB Gaming variant:

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/msi-geforce-gtx-1070-ti-aero-8gb-gddr5-vr-ready-graphics-card-2432-core-1607mhz-gpu-1683mhz-boost

Dcully

What resolution are you planning to run?

I recently upgraded my Gsync 144hz monitor from 1080 to 1440 and surprisingly my 970 runs games at 90-144 fps on medium settings with a GTX970.

Ofcourse 1440 144hz really does require a beefier GPU [something im planning in a few months with a full new build] but the way the 970 its handling 1440 gaming proves its more than enough for 1080p gaming, no game out there stressed my 970 @ 1080 144fps so if your only going to game at 1080 its not worth the investment imo.

If your planning to go 1440 + then yes ofcourse ignore what ive just said and grab a nice 1070,1070ti or 1080 by all means.

TerrorFirmer

600W is enough assuming it's a decent brand PSU. The GTX1070Ti is a good option, especially when you've an Oculus Rift, which eats up GPU power. £419 is a good price for those 1070Ti's but I would personally not be gone on that reference blower model.

If gaming at 1080p 60hz though, there is nothing to be gained from an upgrade right now though it will give a much better Oculus experience.

LandonRicketts

The PSU is a bequiet! PSU. What type of 1070ti would you recommend(if you have a preference)

I currently have a 1080p 144Hz GSync monitor at the moment. But next year I might upgrade to a 1440p one. This year upgrade was going to be the GPU with the purchase of a new monitor sometime next year

Dcully

Waste of cash imo man, little to no difference to the naked eye @ 1080 144hz.
Save you cash and get both a card and monitor next year, 1080 @144hz is still fantastic for gaming and that 970 is perfect for your current needs.

TerrorFirmer

I wouldn't say it's perfect if you like to play games at 1080p ultra on a 144hz monitor, the 1070Ti would be a massive improvement over the GTX970 in pretty much all AAA games on a 144hz monitor with a good CPU (and the OP's is pretty good).

Also a huge increase in VR performance with the Oculus.

The GTX970 is similar to a GTX1060 3GB. There is no way you could push 1080p high/ultra at 144fps in the latest games unless you were talking about less demanding games.

The OP can check himself. Set games to 1080p ultra and turn off v-sync and see what framerates you get.

LandonRicketts

Thanks for all the replies. I'm starting to notice it alright with certain new releases that I would have to scale down a few options to get it running nice and smooth. Also would help with VR performance as well.

You mentioned earlier you weren't gone on that model of 1070ti. Is there any you could recommend?

TerrorFirmer

Usually those blower models are loud, though it's all relative. I would suggest looking up a few reviews of that card to see if it would suit you - that same cooler was used on the GTX1070 and 1080 as well. I would prefer one of the dual fan models - the Palit and Zotac Mini 1070Ti's are both the same price as the Aero, £419 and I would imagine them to be quieter and cooler.

Blower models are good though for cases with bad airflow/small cases.

Dcully

TerrorFirmer is more of an expert than me ,thats for sure but ultra usually means horrible overly processed effects in most games.
Theres only a few games i couldnt run high/ultra 1080 144fps , BF1, shadow of war spring to mind.

Actually Looking through my games on origin,steam etc theres quite a few more i had to drop to medium settings to hit 144.

Ultra is overrated anyways some games look almost as good on medium :P

K.O.Kiki

Medium = console quality, that's why most people think it's good-enough

+1 for Palit. Love my Palit 980 Ti - upgraded from KFA2 EX OC which was much noisier.

Dcully

Id argue low is console quality

Taylor365

I'd say either a 1070 or a 1080. 1070ti is too close to 1080 in price so might as well get the 1080.

Can pick up a gtx 1080 KFA2 EX OC on German amazon for just over €500. Not sure on the brand quality though.

I'll be picking up a 1080 or 1070 myself before Christmas but waiting to get a bargain.

wotzgoingon

Taylor365 wrote: »

I'd say either a 1070 or a 1080. 1070ti is too close to 1080 in price so might as well get the 1080.

Can pick up a gtx 1080 KFA2 EX OC on German amazon for just over €500. Not sure on the brand quality though.

I'll be picking up a 1080 or 1070 myself before Christmas but waiting to get a bargain.

I agree and just for the GDDRX. The 1070Ti is pointless as it is close to the 1080 but lacks a few things the 1080 has.

LandonRicketts

Thinking of making the plunge this week. Have about 500-550 quid as my budget(thanks to my birthday this weekend). Was thinking about 1080 but as I only have a 600W PSU I don't think I cant put it in without upgrading the PSU as well.

Looking at 1070ti was looking at this model:

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/palit-geforce-gtx-1070-ti-dual-8gb-gddr5-vr-ready-graphics-card-2432-core-1607mhz-gpu-1683mhz-boost

K.O.Kiki

LandonRicketts wrote: »

Thinking of making the plunge this week. Have about 700 quid as my budget(thanks to my birthday this weekend). Was thinking about 1080 but as I only have a 600W PSU I don't think I cant put it in without upgrading the PSU as well.

You're fine for power; the 1080 only draws between 180-210W. You could run a full system on a good 450W PSU.

At current prices I'd recommend a Palit Jetstream/Gamerock, or Gigabyte Windforce
https://geizhals.eu/?cat=gra16_512&xf=9810_7+8228+-+GTX+1080~9810_7+8228+-+GTX+1080+11Gbps&asuch=&bpmin=&bpmax=&v=e&hloc=uk&plz=&dist=&mail=&sort=p&bl1_id=30&togglecountry=set

LandonRicketts

Thanks for the help managed to stretch a bit and got the 1080 in the end