[SOLVED] GTX 1070 VS RX 580 + FreeSync VS GTX 1080

[tomswife]

Okay, so I have a 1080p 25" 144hz FreeSync monitor that I game on and am soon getting a 28" 4K display for my main monitor which more than likely will also have FreeSync, although gaming on this one isn't essential so please keep that in mind when helping me decide.

So these are my options:

Ryzen 5 2600X paired with either a GTX 1070 or an RX 580 with FreeSync (not sure if it's that important). 580 is cheaper but I don't mind getting the 1070.

(This is the new system I am trying to build^^)

My other option is not going Ryzen just yet and using the following upgrade:

I7-6700 paired with a GTX 1080. This setup will be impossible for any further CPU upgrades, see below.

I love the idea of getting the 1080 but really wanted to go with Ryzen, also, the 6700 is I think 2 years old.

Here's what I'll be doing with the system: web/graphic design (lots of different browsers with even more tabs open), using programs like Photoshop, Dreamweaver, XAMPP, + several smaller programs, all running at once. Gaming will be done as well but not on the same level, I figure maybe less than half of the time, which might actually go up after upgrading.

I think the 1080 would eliminate all doubt I have (game wise) but I'm just not keen on using the 6700 and just really like the new Ryzen, a lot. I can't upgrade the 6700, ever, in the same system as dell hasn't released a BIOS update for 7th gen and buying anything else would require a new MOBO, which is impossible in current system.

Which would you choose and why...

Any help is appreciated!!!

 

[Phaaze88]

If you are NOT going to game on the 4k monitor, then either is fine - with the 1070 being the better card of the 2. But neither is a viable 4k gaming option - even using the 580 with the monitor for freesync won't make a difference.
You're right that the 6700 is old, but still a very capable cpu. But I'd easily pass it for the newer 2600x.
Multiple browsers and tabs is a ram thing, so you're looking for at least 16gb.
The GTX 1080 also isn't really a 4k gaming card, unless you're ok with turning down some settings and ~30fps.

What is your current system, and what do you plan to do with the old monitor?

 

[volkgren]

I would choose to build my own system. The GTX 1070 would work and Nvidia Fast Sync (a free feature in Nvidia Control Panel) can help with screen tearing if you experience it. I really wish RX Vega was cheaper right now.

 

[tomswife]

If you are NOT going to game on the 4k monitor, then either is fine - with the 1070 being the better card of the 2. But neither is a viable 4k gaming option - even using the 580 with the monitor for freesync won't make a difference.
You're right that the 6700 is old, but still a very capable cpu. But I'd easily pass it for the newer 2600x.
Multiple browsers and tabs is a ram thing, so you're looking for at least 16gb.
The GTX 1080 also isn't really a 4k gaming card, unless you're ok with turning down some settings and ~30fps.

What is your current system, and what do you plan to do with the old monitor?

I would choose to build my own system. The GTX 1070 would work and Nvidia Fast Sync (a free feature in Nvidia Control Panel) can help with screen tearing if you experience it. I really wish RX Vega was cheaper right now.

This is my current situation:
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3803204/selling-msi-ge72vr-desktop-build.html

I'm trying to sell my current GE72VR MSI laptop and buy the following:

Ryzen 2600X
MSI B450 Pro Carbon
16GB 3200 C16
970 Evo M.2 (already have)
GTX 1070/RX 580 / vega 56 (see below)
Phanteks P400s Case
80+ Bronze 500+ Watt PSU

That is what I would like to do but I received an offer to trade my laptop:

i7-7700HQ
16GB DDR4
GTX 1060 3GB (mobile)

For an Alienware Aurora R5 as follows:

i7-6700
16GB DDR4
1TB HDD
GTX 1080 Founders Edition
+ my 970 Evo M.2 SSD

I'm pretty sure although the 6700 is a generation older than my i7 laptop model but being a desktop i think it would still outperform my 7700HQ, and at this point the only thing I have not been able to do without lag on this laptop is gaming (GTA 5) and using my browser at the same time (performance tools running in the background too).

Ryzen is my preference but the reason I wouldn't mind the 1080 is because if I get the 4k display I might give my other 1080p monitor to my kids since the workspace will be all I need instead of two 1080p monitors (25" 1080p is not good for design work). And the GTX 1080 FE would be best for performance if I lost the 1080p monitor.


Edit:
Oh and I will most likely be buying only the Graphics card from ebay, which the Vega 56 is similar in terms of pricing. Would that be a valid option over the 1070/580, if I decide to build the Ryzen system?

 

[volkgren]

Well I certainly wouldn't be looking at an 500W Bronze PSU. Those are old and usually low quality.

Yeah, either way sounds like a pretty good choice, but i7-6700 is good enough for the GTX 1080 now. Not sure about in 3-5 years when you want to upgrade again though. You might be looking for a whole new rig then.

 

[tomswife]

I don't know much about PSUs, just going by what pcpartpicker estimated as my wattage and then adding like another 100. Do I need more power or a better quality such as gold?

 

[volkgren]

There are LOTS of power supplies out there, only a few of them are good quality. 550W is good enough, bronze is good enough. Corsair CX550/650 (2017) is a cheap but reliable option, so it the SeaSonic S12II 520/620. Better models exist. Depends on your budget. Typically stay away from 500W/600W models, they are older and not good quality.