Gtx 980ti/1080/1070. Which one should I get based on price to performance?

[comanzo]

System Specs:
CPU: i7-4790s
Ram: DDR3 @1600 MHz.
GPU: Gtx 750(Soon to become a 980ti/1080/1070 once I upgrade).
PSU: EVGA Supernova 750.
Monitor- Dell S2716DG (1440p,144hz)
Motherboard: Asus K30AD_M31AD_M51AD_M32AD.

So I am in a dilemma when it comes to choosing between the 980ti, 1080, or 1070. I do plan to keep my 1440p 144hz monitor until 4k @144hz/120hz becomes a reality. So, I want a card that can fully take advantage of the 144hz. The problem is that SLI isn't an option since my MOBO only supports one x16 slot, unless I upgrade. My PSU wattage also probably makes SLI not an option. Another thing to keep in mind is that I do plan on using VR, and I heard that the 1080 does a good job of that thanks to GDDR5X memory. At the same time, I feel that I don't need 8 GB of Vram for 1440p, and 6GB should be more than enough.

So my question is, based on price to performance, which should I get? Also, can you recommend me a custom card while you're at it? I do plan to overclock and maybe even over-volt the card, which was why I was looking at the hybrid cards. Or do you think I should fully water-block the GPU, instead of getting a hybrid? Let me know please. Thanks for all the help in advance.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

From your post, seems like you need the 1080.
Other cards will not give you 100FPS on high settings at 1440p.
In custom card, you need to look at power delivery (not just the number of phases, but the quality of components).
EVGA FTW are excellent choice. Zotac also have an excellent custom card (dont remember exact model).
As for the Hybrid - IMHO not worth it. Cards i mentioned come with air cooling.
Though you can always go for liquid later.

 

[Riptorz]

This also depends on the type of games you're playing. 144hz usually is a FPS (first person shooter) monitor. Or fast paced RTS game. If you're looking for something like that then a 1070 on high settings will do just fine. High settings 2x MSAA. And for 4k 120hz theres already monitors out. Keep in mind that ULTRA settings is really only for higher end/or prettier lower fps games that don't require a 144hz monitor.

 

[comanzo]

From your post, seems like you need the 1080.
Other cards will not give you 100FPS on high settings at 1440p.
In custom card, you need to look at power delivery (not just the number of phases, but the quality of components).
EVGA FTW are excellent choice. Zotac also have an excellent custom card (dont remember exact model).
As for the Hybrid - IMHO not worth it. Cards i mentioned come with air cooling.
Though you can always go for liquid later.

Thank you for your response and advice.One issue I think that would happen if I went air cooling, is if I plan to overclock/over-volt, I may not get far without temperature throttling. I mean, I am even thinking of going with a modded bios to achieve a higher overclock. Now, while I may not be doing that, it's to give you an idea of how far I want to push this card. The point I am trying to make though, is that such an overclock like that may be too much for air-cooling. The second thing is when you say, "you can always go for liquid later", are you suggesting to put a water-block on the FTW or Zotac? If that is the case, then that is a great idea, and I am all for it. I am not trying to argue against you in case it came across like that, I am just questioning if that 's the way to go. If you still think air cooling is the best for my situation, please tell me why. I like to question people's answers as I am new to the PC master race, and I don't want any regrets on any of my upgrades. Thanks again for your help.

 

[comanzo]

From your post, seems like you need the 1080.
Other cards will not give you 100FPS on high settings at 1440p.
In custom card, you need to look at power delivery (not just the number of phases, but the quality of components).
EVGA FTW are excellent choice. Zotac also have an excellent custom card (dont remember exact model).
As for the Hybrid - IMHO not worth it. Cards i mentioned come with air cooling.
Though you can always go for liquid later.

Can you also educate me on the number of phases? I know when it comes to power delivery to the GPU, the 8-pin and 6-pin plays a role in it. However, I don't know about phases and how that plays a role in power delivery.

 

[Riptorz]

From your post, seems like you need the 1080.
Other cards will not give you 100FPS on high settings at 1440p.
In custom card, you need to look at power delivery (not just the number of phases, but the quality of components).
EVGA FTW are excellent choice. Zotac also have an excellent custom card (dont remember exact model).
As for the Hybrid - IMHO not worth it. Cards i mentioned come with air cooling.
Though you can always go for liquid later.

Thank you for your response and advice.One issue I think that would happen if I went air cooling, is if I plan to overclock/over-volt, I may not get far without temperature throttling. I mean, I am even thinking of going with a modded bios to achieve a higher overclock. Now, while I may not be doing that, it's to give you an idea of how far I want to push this card. The point I am trying to make though, is that such an overclock like that may be too much for air-cooling. The second thing is when you say, "you can always go for liquid later", are you suggesting to put a water-block on the FTW or Zotac? If that is the case, then that is a great idea, and I am all for it. I am not trying to argue against you in case it came across like that, I am just questioning if that 's the way to go. If you still think air cooling is the best for my situation, please tell me why. I like to question people's answers as I am new to the PC master race, and I don't want any regrets on any of my upgrades. Thanks again for your help.

You only get throttling if you don't control your temps properly by setting up a fan curve with the 1080, I personally purchased both the 1080, and the 1070 FE editions when they both launched and i have no issues. They both stay pegged at 2ghz.

That and the games you're playing also play a big roll in GPU boost 3.0. If the game you're playing is only utilizing 50% of the GPU, then you're not gonna see a 2ghz stable core clock if you didnt overclock.

 

[comanzo]

This also depends on the type of games you're playing. 144hz usually is a FPS (first person shooter) monitor. Or fast paced RTS game. If you're looking for something like that then a 1070 on high settings will do just fine. High settings 2x MSAA. And for 4k 120hz theres already monitors out. Keep in mind that ULTRA settings is really only for higher end/or prettier lower fps games that don't require a 144hz monitor.

Yes you are right that 4k 120hz monitors are available. The problem is that they are VERY expensive. Also, do you think I will be missing much with VR performance if I get a 1070? I heard that GDDR5X helps a lot when it comes to VR.

 

[comanzo]

From your post, seems like you need the 1080.
Other cards will not give you 100FPS on high settings at 1440p.
In custom card, you need to look at power delivery (not just the number of phases, but the quality of components).
EVGA FTW are excellent choice. Zotac also have an excellent custom card (dont remember exact model).
As for the Hybrid - IMHO not worth it. Cards i mentioned come with air cooling.
Though you can always go for liquid later.

Thank you for your response and advice.One issue I think that would happen if I went air cooling, is if I plan to overclock/over-volt, I may not get far without temperature throttling. I mean, I am even thinking of going with a modded bios to achieve a higher overclock. Now, while I may not be doing that, it's to give you an idea of how far I want to push this card. The point I am trying to make though, is that such an overclock like that may be too much for air-cooling. The second thing is when you say, "you can always go for liquid later", are you suggesting to put a water-block on the FTW or Zotac? If that is the case, then that is a great idea, and I am all for it. I am not trying to argue against you in case it came across like that, I am just questioning if that 's the way to go. If you still think air cooling is the best for my situation, please tell me why. I like to question people's answers as I am new to the PC master race, and I don't want any regrets on any of my upgrades. Thanks again for your help.

You only get throttling if you don't control your temps properly by setting up a fan curve with the 1080, I personally purchased both the 1080, and the 1070 FE editions when they both launched and i have no issues. They both stay pegged at 2ghz.

That and the games you're playing also play a big roll in GPU boost 3.0. If the game you're playing is only utilizing 50% of the GPU, then you're not gonna see a 2ghz stable core clock if you didnt overclock.

I heard there was a big wall at around 2.1 ghz where even with extra voltage, the gtx 1080 couldn't go any further. They say it has something to do with how pascal's architecture limits it. Have you heard anything about that?

 

[Riptorz]

From your post, seems like you need the 1080.
Other cards will not give you 100FPS on high settings at 1440p.
In custom card, you need to look at power delivery (not just the number of phases, but the quality of components).
EVGA FTW are excellent choice. Zotac also have an excellent custom card (dont remember exact model).
As for the Hybrid - IMHO not worth it. Cards i mentioned come with air cooling.
Though you can always go for liquid later.

Thank you for your response and advice.One issue I think that would happen if I went air cooling, is if I plan to overclock/over-volt, I may not get far without temperature throttling. I mean, I am even thinking of going with a modded bios to achieve a higher overclock. Now, while I may not be doing that, it's to give you an idea of how far I want to push this card. The point I am trying to make though, is that such an overclock like that may be too much for air-cooling. The second thing is when you say, "you can always go for liquid later", are you suggesting to put a water-block on the FTW or Zotac? If that is the case, then that is a great idea, and I am all for it. I am not trying to argue against you in case it came across like that, I am just questioning if that 's the way to go. If you still think air cooling is the best for my situation, please tell me why. I like to question people's answers as I am new to the PC master race, and I don't want any regrets on any of my upgrades. Thanks again for your help.

You only get throttling if you don't control your temps properly by setting up a fan curve with the 1080, I personally purchased both the 1080, and the 1070 FE editions when they both launched and i have no issues. They both stay pegged at 2ghz.

That and the games you're playing also play a big roll in GPU boost 3.0. If the game you're playing is only utilizing 50% of the GPU, then you're not gonna see a 2ghz stable core clock if you didnt overclock.

I heard there was a big wall at around 2.1 ghz where even with extra voltage, the gtx 1080 couldn't go any further. They say it has something to do with how pascal's architecture limits it. Have you heard anything about that?

No honestly i havent heard anything. I personally don't care to push to hard on air. Once i get my water blocks is when ill be pushing harder. But so far i've had no issues.

 

[Riptorz]

This also depends on the type of games you're playing. 144hz usually is a FPS (first person shooter) monitor. Or fast paced RTS game. If you're looking for something like that then a 1070 on high settings will do just fine. High settings 2x MSAA. And for 4k 120hz theres already monitors out. Keep in mind that ULTRA settings is really only for higher end/or prettier lower fps games that don't require a 144hz monitor.

Yes you are right that 4k 120hz monitors are available. The problem is that they are VERY expensive. Also, do you think I will be missing much with VR performance if I get a 1070? I heard that GDDR5X helps a lot when it comes to VR.

The thing with VR is that as long as frame rates stay above 60FPS you're fine. Once they start to dip down under 60 is the problem. It can cause you to get very motion sick and what not. GDDR5X isnt ground breaking at all. Its been out for years, Its just the first time its been put in our hands. And if you think about it. The 1080 at stock has 10,000 mhz on the memory. I've overclocked my 1070 with a light overclock on the memory of 500 so its running at 9,000mhz.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

Sorry man, I won't explain here much on power delivery circles. Here is very simplified version: 6-8 pin is a marketing BS (i have a single, original, cable from my PSU that is split to two 6/8 connectors). There is no technical limit to deliver as much as you want (within 500w) on single 6 pin connector.
After that there is power limiters either software or hw. after that is the turn of VRM (power phases) which transform the 12V to what the GPU needs (there is a separate one for memory). That part is very important since the number of phases and the quality will define how clean and stable will be the power delivery to GPU.
Two other things, "hybrid" versions are not that liquid. Liquid cooling on them is just the GPU. While memory and especially VRM are also sensitivities to temperature. So only true custom loop with either full cover block or a solution that covers GPU, vRAM and VRM will help your overclock.
And the last thing... from what i've seen so far, 1080 does not benefit from overvolting. Cards are reaching 2.1GHz and just stay there regardless of voltage.
Both EVGA FTW Gaming and ZOTAC AMP Extreme are built with LN2 in mind. They are the best.