New PC build or just a GPU?

[Ozikkk]

Hi guys,

I need some advice on whether I should be building a whole new PC.
My specs are as follows:
Motherboard: Z97 Pro Gamer
RAM: 16GB 1600mhz DDR3
CPU: i7-4790k 4.4ghz
GPU: Asus Turbo GTX 970
PSU: Corsair 650W
Running one HDD from WD and one SSD from Kingston.

I'm planning to play some of the newer releases and I'm also planning to play in 4k with a decent framerate.

Would I need to build a new PC if I was to invest in a ROG Asus Strix 1080Ti?
Would any of my current parts bottleneck the new GPU?
Wouldn't it be ideal to finally invest in DDR4 memory? Which would obviously mean a whole new build would be needed e.g. new motherboard and a new CPU.

Sorry for all the questions.
Ozzy

 

[julienruc]

Yes, your parts would bottleneck a 1080Ti. Meaning that would need to upgrade your CPU, which automatically needs a new motherboard and possibly DDR4 RAM depending on the CPU/Mobo combo you're going for.
You can keep the PSU as 650w will be more than enough. Although what model is it?

 

[13thmonkey]

at 4k you aren't going to pulling more than 60fps, so the CPU is not going to be doing that much work surely? At lower resolutions the CPU may bottleneck the GPU depending on circumstances.

 

[Ozikkk]

Yes, your parts would bottleneck a 1080Ti. Meaning that would need to upgrade your CPU, which automatically needs a new motherboard and possibly DDR4 RAM depending on the CPU/Mobo combo you're going for.
You can keep the PSU as 650w will be more than enough. Although what model is it?

The PSU is the Corsair CP 9020098.

 

[Ozikkk]

at 4k you aren't going to pulling more than 60fps, so the CPU is not going to be doing that much work surely? At lower resolutions the CPU may bottleneck the GPU depending on circumstances.

So we reckon steadily above 30fps? I'm not planning to run anything lower than 3840x2160.

 

[13thmonkey]

The cpu will easily feed the gpu above 30, I've no idea whether the gpu can cope, but that'll be covered in the reviews. The recent 2080 reviews compared it to the 1080ti at 4k

 

[Ozikkk]

The cpu will easily feed the gpu above 30, I've no idea whether the gpu can cope, but that'll be covered in the reviews. The recent 2080 reviews compared it to the 1080ti at 4k

What do you mean about the GPU not coping? Isn't the 1080ti the best GPu for 4k gaming out at the moment if we're not talking about the 2080?

 

[13thmonkey]

yes it is the best GPU for 4k aside from the 20XX's, but it still might be not be enough in some circumstances, look at the division here: https://www.tomshardware.co.uk/nvidia-geforce-rtx-2080-founders-edition,review-34552-8.html

It can dip as low as 25fps, BUT like all games this is setting dependent, in this case this is at ultra so if you are willing to trade fps for image quality then you'll manage 30fps somehow, but you'll have to trade.

 

[Barty1884]

As you move up to 4K, the CPU matters a little less.

Realistically, new GPU or new build.... you're going to need a new GPU to drive the titles you want at 4K.

Start with the GPU, see how you fare - you'll need it anyway. If you find you're CPU limited (I doubt it), then you can upgrade the platform

 

[Ozikkk]

yes it is the best GPU for 4k aside from the 20XX's, but it still might be not be enough in some circumstances, look at the division here: https://www.tomshardware.co.uk/nvidia-geforce-rtx-2080-founders-edition,review-34552-8.html

It can dip as low as 25fps, BUT like all games this is setting dependent, in this case this is at ultra so if you are willing to trade fps for image quality then you'll manage 30fps somehow, but you'll have to trade.

Thanks for the link man, I'll have a think about it anyways.

 

[13thmonkey]

it'll be good at 4k, but sometimes you may have to compromise.