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4K upgrade advice

Associate
Joined
2 Aug 2010
Posts
1,889
Location
Egypt/ Surrey
Hi Guys and Gals,

I'm looking to upgrade to a 4k monitor soon and I would like recommendations on a GPU upgrade if necessary.

Currently I game at 1080p but I am finding myself more inclined toward 4k. It is something I really want to do.

At the moment I am using a 980GTX Palit Superclocked. I am running it a default settings and a slightly reduced fan profile. I am willing to SLI.

PSU wattage isn't an issue and space aren't an issue either (900D).

Ideally I will add the gpu/s to my waterloop so I'll need a new radiator and a couple more fans but mainly I need advice on what could give me high settings at 4k.

I play a total range of games so aim for hardest hitters on FPS please.

If you have a 4k monitor recommendation then I'm also happy to listen

No budget set at this stage, however availability in Egypt can be a pain so most likely I will end up either importing or collecting from the UK soon.
 
Soldato
Joined
28 May 2007
Posts
10,049
I think a gtx980 with only 4gb of Vram would be an issue for you at 4k even in sli as you would have a decent amount of Gpu grunt but most likely run out of Vram. Ideally you would want something like gtx1070/1080 sli or even a Titan X Pascal.

Amd are rumored to be releasing there Vega card this side of Christmas so you may have more options as Nvidia may counter with a 1080ti if the vega card is fast.
 
Associate
Joined
5 Mar 2014
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1,129
Location
Southampton
4GB is indeed not enough for 4K gaming. TheRealDeal is right, you should wait until Christmas, Vega is coming with High bandwidth memory 2 (HBM2) a very promising tech for 4K gaming.
 
Soldato
Joined
31 Oct 2002
Posts
9,851
4GB is indeed not enough for 4K gaming. TheRealDeal is right, you should wait until Christmas, Vega is coming with High bandwidth memory 2 (HBM2) a very promising tech for 4K gaming.

I hope Vega annihilates the TitanXP, though knowing AMD they'll find a way to make it as useful as the Fury X was..........
 
Man of Honour
Joined
21 May 2012
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31,940
Location
Dalek flagship
I hope Vega annihilates the TitanXP, though knowing AMD they'll find a way to make it as useful as the Fury X was..........

I hope it does not for AMDs sake.

Yes it is possible for AMD to produce a GPU that can beat the GP102 chip but it would be a huge waste of resources.

AMD need to go after NVidia's high volume sales rather than a card not even OcUK stock.
 
Associate
Joined
19 Feb 2010
Posts
1,937
Location
Nottingham
I'm in a similar boat to OP, though I have already bought a 4k monitor.

Current GPUs (Titan aside) aren't really up to it, I'm hoping 1080ti appears (and delivers) else it might be a wait for the next gen.

I'll be struggling by on a 970!
 
Soldato
Joined
6 Jan 2013
Posts
3,774
Location
Yorkshire
I hope it does not for AMDs sake.

Yes it is possible for AMD to produce a GPU that can beat the GP102 chip but it would be a huge waste of resources.

AMD need to go after NVidia's high volume sales rather than a card not even OcUK stock.
Maybe they will stop sticking 2 gpus on one card every generation so they can claim they have the fastest card. That always seemed like a waste of money to me since so few people ever bought them, and water cooled cards should go back to been a specialist thing rather than banging them on all their high end cards.

I agree though, the XP is well outside most of our budgets, they should be going for sales first around the more popular budget ranges then once they have taken back their share of the market they can start making ott showcase cards.
 
Associate
OP
Joined
2 Aug 2010
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1,889
Location
Egypt/ Surrey
Thanks all for the replies.

I'm in a similar boat to OP, though I have already bought a 4k monitor.

Current GPUs (Titan aside) aren't really up to it, I'm hoping 1080ti appears (and delivers) else it might be a wait for the next gen.

I'll be struggling by on a 970!

How are you finding it? What sort of settings do you use or are you changing the resolution?
 
Soldato
Joined
10 Nov 2011
Posts
4,051
Location
Rugeley
Thanks all for the replies.



How are you finding it? What sort of settings do you use or are you changing the resolution?

Im running at 1080 at 4k and even thatvstruggles in some games.

Most settings can be on high not ultra. Also make sure aa is only set to summin low like 4x as you really cant notice much of a difference.

As far as vram goes ive seen games easily hit 6gb with those settings above.

Some games still drop below 30fps. Fractured space is terrible for it.
 
Soldato
Joined
9 Dec 2006
Posts
9,230
Location
@ManCave
as a 4K Owner & 1440 140hz owner

My advice

1. ONLY go for 4K if you are willing to drop to Medium/High settings on AAA games.

2. Don't buy a 4K monitor till the 120hz hit the shelves. Going from my 4K to 1440p is mind blowing. its worth it for the games you can get over 60fps in.

3. get a GPU with 8GB+ Vram Ive seen games use 7.9GB easily at 4K (i know their is caching too)

4. Don't expect Constant FPS At 4K quick drops are much more common.

5. Don't go 4K unless your happy upgrading your GPU a lot more (if you want high settings)

6. get a monitor thats 28" or bigger

7. Freesync/Gsync is a MUST at 4K

i use
ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQ
ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q
 
Last edited:
Soldato
Joined
27 Jun 2006
Posts
12,354
Location
Not here
as a 4K Owner & 1440 140hz owner

My advice

1. ONLY go for 4K if you are willing to drop to Medium/High settings on AAA games.

2. Don't buy a 4K monitor till the 120hz hit the shelves. Going from my 4K to 1440p is mind blowing. its worth it for the games you can get over 60fps in.

3. get a GPU with 8GB+ Vram Ive seen games use 7.9GB easily at 4K (i know their is caching too)

4. Don't expect Constant FPS At 4K quick drops are much more common.

5. Don't go 4K unless your happy upgrading your GPU a lot more (if you want high settings)

Agreed.

I'm in the same boat as you. I love my 4K monitor but when it comes to gaming my 1440p freesync monitor running at 144hz is better.
 
Soldato
Joined
27 Jan 2009
Posts
6,554
In my opinon 1440p/100hz+ refresh rate is where its best to be ay the moment. 4k needs too much grunt and is limited to 60hz which limits its attraction considerably. 1440p strikes the sweet spot balance between resolution, refresh rate and gpu power required (still needs a high end gpu... Amd owners will struggle without mgpu)
 
Soldato
Joined
6 Jan 2013
Posts
3,774
Location
Yorkshire
My 27" Swift looks fantastic, if ya using the PC just for gaming then its great, if your using the PC for many other things there might be some programs that dont scale properly, i've not come across the issue yet but i've read others have had issues.

To power it your gonna need SLI, for med-high settings in demanding games you can get away with 1070s but for ultra settings youll need titan xps which are a little on the pricey side.

Like others had said its probably worth waiting for the next gen of GPUS to switch to 4k as the prices will be a bit more reasonable and youll have more options for panels including hopefully the new 120hz ones.

Personally i wouldnt have done it myself if the prices of the 980ti hadn't dropped a few hundred quid just at the same time as this panel was on offer.
 
Associate
Joined
19 Feb 2010
Posts
1,937
Location
Nottingham
to give you some insight

4K Ultra 1080GTX
64Man MP 60hz
BF1 55-70fps constant with some drops to 45fps

Cheers smogsy.

So a potential 1080ti would probably do the trick... still, impressive stats for the 1080. We are almost in the 4k era proper.

Given the 970 only has 4GB (3.5 ;)) SLI wouldn't be an option, even though 970s are going cheap s/h.
 
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