[SOLVED] Is my GPU just too old now for 1080p?

[Jack the crackerman]

I am a PC gamer and have a 1080p screen which I'm fine with at the moment.

I have a GTX 970 GPU and I have really enjoyed being able to play a lot of newer games at high, if not ultra, settings at 1080p.

However, now Red Dead 2 is out on pc, from what I've read, my GTX 970 is going to struggle to reach high, and definitely not ultra settings.

I appreciate the 970 is several years old now but do I just have to accept that to keep gaming at high (minimum) I should invest in a new graphics card?

I imagine that when the new PS5 and Xbox scarlett come out PC minimum and recommended requirements will suddenly jump up.

If I should just save up and get a new GPU does anyone have a recommendation for an upgrade that won't break the bank, but will still somewhat future proof me? The budget won't stretch to a 2080 just at the moment!

The rest of my specs are:

Intel i5-8400 CPU 2.8ghz
ASUS TUF Z370-PLUS GAMING (Socket-1151 Coffee lake) Mobo
16gb ram
Corsair v-series 650w psu

Nothing is overclocked

Thanks guys!

 

[sizzling]

The point when a gpu needs upgrading is a personal choice when the games you want to play you cannot run the fps and settings you want. However what is your target fps? RD2 is also hammering cpu's.

 

[Lutfij]

I would suggest getting a better PSU, even if it's the newer VS series. The good news is you have the option of going with 2060 Super with your current processor.

 

[delaro]

Red Dead 2 is your problem, this is a port to PC and a codded mess with a long line of complaints. Read this review and make your GPU decision from there.

Techspot Benchmark

Ideally you’ll want an RTX 2060 or Vega 56, that’s a big ask for 1080p gaming. Something you might have noticed is how well the Radeon GPUs perform, the RX 580 destroyed the GTX 1060 and basically matched the 1070. Vega 56 easily beat the GTX 1080, while the RX 5700 matched the RTX 2070 Super. Then we have the 5700 XT on par with the RTX 2080, so a super result here for AMD.

High settings

 

[Jack the crackerman]

Red Dead 2 is your problem, this is a port to PC and a codded mess with a long line of complaints. Read this review and make your GPU decision from there.

Techspot Benchmark


High settings

Wow! Ok, that is really not well optimised for PC it seems! Thanks for that - yes, decisions to be made then. At least I won't be the only one struggling to keep up in RDR2. Thanks.

 

[Jack the crackerman]

I would suggest getting a better PSU, even if it's the newer VS series. The good news is you have the option of going with 2060 Super with your current processor.

Do you mean a PSU with greater power in order to power new components? 850w enough or something else?

 

[delaro]

Do you mean a PSU with greater power in order to power new components? 850w enough or something else?

No, he means in terms of quality, it's neither great nor bad but rather in the middle.

VS650 review

Since your running a 970 GTX going up to an RTX 2070 Super which uses about 40 more watts shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Jack the crackerman]

No, he means in terms of quality, it's neither great nor bad but rather in the middle.

VS650 review

Since your running a 970 GTX going up to an RTX 2070 Super which uses about 40 more watts shouldn't be an issue.

Ah, that makes sense. Thank you!