GPU upgrade.

[Original_Uwe]

Hello all.

My Gtx 580 is maxed out. The i7 2600k chugs along at 4.5 ghz without issues, but the old 580 isn't quite keeping up. It's time to upgrade.

 

So looking at the 970 and 980. Ideally budget less than $500.

Now what I'm noticing is that some of the tricked out 970s have performance figures higher than the cheaper 980s. I must admit I've fallen out of keeping up with gpu development but this seems counter intuitive.

At this budget level would the higher performing 970 be a better choice than the stock 980? Or is the 980 always going to be the better choice?

Thanks a bunch guys.

[SC_Manu653]

I'm planning the same for this summer Uwe, still hesitate but eager to see the answer !

[Original_Uwe]

Ya I've been kicking this can down the road for too long.

Time to nut-up and get it done!

[oneeyeddog]

Ive been using an Asus 980 Strix for about a month or so and Im very pleased with it. I did notice that the Asus GPUs, from the 970 up to the 980 Ti were on sale, perhaps thru New Egg? I purchased my 980,on sale, for right around $400 I believe.

[Original_Uwe]

Ya they aren't hard to find for $450, and that's only a hindered more than the top end 970s.

That's why I'm wondering if I should go with topped-out OC'd 970 or reference 980?

[Ala13_Kike]

If your screen res., are 1080p, gtx970 will be the best option. If you think in change your monitor (over 1400p), take one gtx980

 

It's my opinion (i have one gtx970 and my CPU speed are the same than you, with i5 un my case, and I do not have problems in any game abou perfomance (at 1200p)

[Dakpilot]

If you are already going to make a serious investment I would always recommend spending a little bit more to get the best, the extra cost of the GTX980 ti spread over the cards life/your use is not much and in the long run will save money by lengthening upgrade time in the future

 

The 980ti has some significant advantages, especially Vram that will keep it relevant for longer

 

The GTX970 is a really great card and very good value for what it does, however I am still slightly kicking myself for not going with the GTX980ti in the first place

 

Waiting for next generation Nvidia 'pascal' is also an option but that realistically will be summer-Autumn or even later, who knows, but big advances are predicted......but then aren't they always

 

Cheers Dakpilot

[Dutchvdm]

I'm with Dakpilot. Go for the Ti. I also regret going for the 980 instead of the ti version. The alternative is going for a cheaper model and save the extra money for Pascal later this year. 

 

Grt M

[Original_Uwe]

Hey link to a $500 980ti and I'll snap it up, otherwise it's out of budget.

Like I said I'm debating between a tricked out OC'd 970 or a reference 980.

All I really play are BoS and DCS. I don't plan on going VR, though 4K TV's are getting quite cheap so I may go that route in the future but realistically no plans to go above and beyond 1080p.

[6./ZG26_Emil]

I think a standard 970 will be more than enough for 1080p

Edited March 31, 2016 by 6./ZG26_Emil

[Matt]

The 980 is around 15% faster than the OC'd 970 for 1080p and costs 50% more.

 

That basically results in +5-10 FPS max for 200,00 EUR extra, so i went with the 970. It's definately more than enough for BoS. Not 100% sure about DCS, because i haven't tested it with the 970 yet, but it was even running fine with my 660 Ti. Unless you'll run into VRAM problems there, the difference should still be almost unnoticable.