Thanks for the responses. to address each individually would muddle the thread further, so I'll respond to everything in this post.
I suppose im coming at this from an unconventional angle.
This is my first PC build for gaming in a a long time. my last gaming PC was in 2004, so I'm pretty much new to the PC gaming scene of today.
That said, I have been interested and kept up with what was going on (card releases, API's etc)
The previous gaming generation I was on consoles.
I had my Xbox for nearly ten years, but when this current generation of consoles came around, PC seemed by far a better option.
There were no exclusives on either platform that interested me, and both consoles were obviously underpowered and outdated from the get go - a PC of the same spec costing cheaper.
Add in the fact that you can play online for free, and the very large library of games compared ti the consoles (now oddly including Xbox one games being released also in windows 10) and PC would appear to be a no brainer.
I've been waiting several months to decide on a GPU, reading and watchjng everything I can to try and pick the best card abd not feel I've wasted my money, and its certainly proven difficult to say the least.
When we talk about what is "future proofing", its an understandably conflicting discussion, reason beibg that it's partly relative to the person.
Now obviously, the simple discussion of how long x card will last on x settings can be outlined, but everyone has a different idea of whats "usable".
For me personally, the reason I said I could cope with dialing down the settings is because I suppose I'm one of those people refered to as a console peasant.
I've never Had a 1080p capable gaming platform myself (I've played in a PC at 1080p but that's about it) because the Xbox 360 was my last console, and as for gaming in 1440p and 4K, I have no clue as to what that actually looks like.
I set my sights.on gaming at 1080p because it was the next up from what I was using, and because I'm new to the game, I havent gone through several upgrade cycles as many of youhave, to know roughly when I'd need to be upgrading. Hence the reason for writing this thread.
(That said, I dont know weather aiming for a higher resolution like 1440p is a better bet these days with the way things are going)
I set my sights in the 480, because I hoped it'd last me four or so years, as a console would.
I simply dont have the funds, to drop £250 plus on a single component of a computer every two years.
Now I know PC gaming isn't in the same catagory as consoles.
With consoles, you buy the system, and it's supported for a minimum of four years (usually).
Ive contemplated several different cards, ranging from something as cheap as the gtx 960, right up to the higher end with the 1070, and everything in between.
Someone mentioned the 390x, which also seems an interesting option also.
I think the point is, as I said earlier, I don't really know what I want.
I want to get into PC gaming and experience the benifits, but I certainly can't justify this constant swapping of hardware to keep up with it.
To upgrade four years later would be fine. Anything less and I'd feel I was throwing my money down the drain and I may as well get a console again.
The option of Crossfire/SLI that we've been discussing is an interesting one, because if It's stable and actually works and is supported, that knocks down the price of your upgrade path significantly.
If things are moving as fast as people say they are, and 4K is soon to become the norm, then spending £600 on the beastly 1080 wouldn't be anywhere near future proof, either.
Some people were talking about the Vega. When is that supposedly comeing?
Some sites say this year?
I understand the decision of those who are waiting, I may end up doing that myself if I can't make a decision. Either that or I'll deliberate for so long that a new generation has arrived by the time I pic!
Thanks for the help everyone.
