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Please help me choose a GPU for 1440p @ 60 Hz / FPS

Cern

Cern

Cern

Soldato
Joined
3 Jul 2008
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I need a GPU to replace my old GTX 660. The rest of my system is fully up to date: i7-6700k, Asus Z170 Pro Gaming, 32GB DDR4, 850W PSU, Fractal Design R5.

I game on a 1440p 60Hz monitor. The sort of more demanding games I want to be able to play are Witcher 3, Deus Ex Mankind Divided, Star Citizen, Overwatch and Subnautica.

I don't need to turn everything up to Ultra, I'm happy with High settings as long as I can get close to 60 FPS @ 1440p. Power draw, noise and heat are important factors. I'd also like to not have to upgrade the GPU again for at least 3 years, longer if possible.

I'm trying to decide between the following:

EVGA GTX 1060 SC £259.99
Zotac GTX 980 Ti Amp Omega £319.99
Any GTX 1070 I can find around the £350 ballpark with a custom cooling solution.

I know that my ideal GPU for 1440p gaming is a GTX 1070, but I can't really stretch the budget to one with a decent cooling solution (I don't want a reference blower). My budget limit is £350 or thereabouts. So I was leaning towards the EVGA 1060 SC as a more cost effective compromise. But then I saw the Zotac GTX 980 Ti offer, which is tempting. But it seems rather a beast and whilst I'm sure I'll love the performance I wonder if I'll regret its size, heat, power draw and fan noise.

Thoughts?
 
I have the 1060 evga sc but run it at 1080p, it will do 1440p but given the titles you state and your 3 year plan I would say 1070. My 1080 card games at 1440p but that is a bit overkill tbh so a 1070 would do you fine.

Given the price on that 980ti I think you'd be hard pushed to improve on that deal. 1070 is a better card but would add at least £50 onto the price.
 
Cern said:
I need a GPU to replace my old GTX 660. The rest of my system is fully up to date: i7-6700k, Asus Z170 Pro Gaming, 32GB DDR4, 850W PSU, Fractal Design R5.

I game on a 1440p 60Hz monitor. The sort of more demanding games I want to be able to play are Witcher 3, Deus Ex Mankind Divided, Star Citizen, Overwatch and Subnautica.

I don't need to turn everything up to Ultra, I'm happy with High settings as long as I can get close to 60 FPS @ 1440p. Power draw, noise and heat are important factors. I'd also like to not have to upgrade the GPU again for at least 3 years, longer if possible.

I'm trying to decide between the following:

EVGA GTX 1060 SC £259.99
Zotac GTX 980 Ti Amp Omega £319.99
Any GTX 1070 I can find around the £350 ballpark with a custom cooling solution.

I know that my ideal GPU for 1440p gaming is a GTX 1070, but I can't really stretch the budget to one with a decent cooling solution (I don't want a reference blower). My budget limit is £350 or thereabouts. So I was leaning towards the EVGA 1060 SC as a more cost effective compromise. But then I saw the Zotac GTX 980 Ti offer, which is tempting. But it seems rather a beast and whilst I'm sure I'll love the performance I wonder if I'll regret its size, heat, power draw and fan noise.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

980Ti hands down.
 
Cern said:
I need a GPU to replace my old GTX 660. The rest of my system is fully up to date: i7-6700k, Asus Z170 Pro Gaming, 32GB DDR4, 850W PSU, Fractal Design R5.

I game on a 1440p 60Hz monitor. The sort of more demanding games I want to be able to play are Witcher 3, Deus Ex Mankind Divided, Star Citizen, Overwatch and Subnautica.

I don't need to turn everything up to Ultra, I'm happy with High settings as long as I can get close to 60 FPS @ 1440p. Power draw, noise and heat are important factors. I'd also like to not have to upgrade the GPU again for at least 3 years, longer if possible.

I'm trying to decide between the following:

EVGA GTX 1060 SC £259.99
Zotac GTX 980 Ti Amp Omega £319.99
Any GTX 1070 I can find around the £350 ballpark with a custom cooling solution.

I know that my ideal GPU for 1440p gaming is a GTX 1070, but I can't really stretch the budget to one with a decent cooling solution (I don't want a reference blower). My budget limit is £350 or thereabouts. So I was leaning towards the EVGA 1060 SC as a more cost effective compromise. But then I saw the Zotac GTX 980 Ti offer, which is tempting. But it seems rather a beast and whilst I'm sure I'll love the performance I wonder if I'll regret its size, heat, power draw and fan noise.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...


At the current price point, get that crazy £320 980Ti deal
 
Running a 980Ti at 1440p and very happy with performance.

Not sure whether I'd pay the extra for a 1070 over the Zotac 980Ti, probably not but as the 1070 price drops I'd be more tempted.

The big benefit of the 1070 is power draw, if that's important to you then it may be worth the extra.
 
The noise on the zotac would be something to consider though, it isn't the quietest apparently...

I am thinking of going for a 1080 palit for 3880x1440 at £580, thinking the extra 250 is worth it for a quieter card, frame rates should be hitting 60 most of the time and that will take my i5 rig to when it needs replacing.
 
Last edited:
I'd recommend a 980ti here... just cos you can get one for ridiculously cheap now. Who cares about a measly few percent performance boost of a £400+ 1070 when you can get a 980ti for like £320! VRAM is no issue at 1440p, 6GB is good for it. I know I'd do the same.
 
mahius said:
I'd recommend a 980ti here... just cos you can get one for ridiculously cheap now. Who cares about a measly few percent performance boost of a £400+ 1070 when you can get a 980ti for like £320! VRAM is no issue at 1440p, 6GB is good for it. I know I'd do the same.
Click to expand...

1070 is probably a measily few percentage points slower than a 980Ti when both are clocked as far as they go.
 
Thanks for all the thoughts and tips everyone. I definitely agree the 980 Ti is fantastic performance for the money. But noise and power draw are important to me, so I'm still hesitating.

I tend to keep a GPU for around 3-4 years, so across that time I should recover the extra cost of a 1070 in reduced power bills. But it's hard to stump up £380-£400 for a 1070 with a decent non-reference cooler, it just feels overpriced to me (I know some will disagree because of the performance). If I knew prices would come down I'd be patient, but with the Pound where it is, who knows.
 
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