GTX 1080 vs GTX 550 noob question

[Dylanlowden_quinns]

Are the low settings on a GTX 1080 going to look better than the high settings on a card like the GTX 550

 

[superninja12]

thats not how it works.

what are low settings on a 1080?
what are high settings on a gtx 550?

that depends on the game settings, you cant apply it to the card.
and ofcourse a 1080 is no match for a 550.

 

[cookiemania66]

1080 is only ~900% more powerfull then the 550
I dont really know what kind of "better" you mean in terms of looks since it depends on the game how low and high settings look.
But with the 1080 you will have a loot more fps

 

[herrwizo]

Better GPUs are not used because "details look better on them". They all are capable of displaying same visuals. Level of details depends on game settings, and you can pretty much choose high or ultra settings on any GPU and it will show the same quality of visuals (provided it is capable of doing so - you cannot use a 20-year old GPU with modern games because it will not support latest direct x, for example, and it won't even run the game).

The problem is, slower GPUs will struggle with high settings and will produce low number of frames per second (fps) which will be percieved as huge stuttering, lag and eye strain.

1080 is immensely more powerful than 550, and such GPU can be used to max out details in any game up to 1440p resolution with great fps.

 

[Dylanlowden_quinns]

Should have asked, if you're running a GTX 5**/7** @ the lowest graphics you can imagine on any AAA title or otherwise, and a GTX 1080 on the same settings, will there be any noticeable difference in the quality of colour, texture, detail, shading, etcetera - assuming both are locked at 60fps