Should I pull the trigger on a 980Ti?

robfosters · 10 Feb 2016 at 14:30

I want to run the new Tomb Raider absolutely maxxed out at 1080p.

I also want to play FSX with lots of add ons over 2 1080p screens.

I also want to be able to upgrade to a 4k monitor in the next 3 months without any issues.

Problem is, this is over £500 I'm dropping on it. Is it overkill or do I need a card like this for the 3 things I've listed?

robfosters · 10 Feb 2016 at 15:08

No-one?

Simon Belmont · 10 Feb 2016 at 15:13

robfosters said:
I want to run the new Tomb Raider absolutely maxxed out at 1080p.

I also want to play FSX with lots of add ons over 2 1080p screens.

I also want to be able to upgrade to a 4k monitor in the next 3 months without any issues.

Problem is, this is over £500 I'm dropping on it. Is it overkill or do I need a card like this for the 3 things I've listed?

980Ti wouldn't be overkill for 1080p, I know a lot here would say buy now. If your well to do yes buy 980Ti right now, cause come time for new series you'll have the cash to spend, but if moneys tight I would say wait for new series of cards. Or at least wait until GTC is over early april for some more news on Nvidia and AMD release.

wesbar · 10 Feb 2016 at 15:17

I was debating the same thing and ended up getting a 970 to replace my 670 SLI setup. Much happier. No SLI issues and it runs Tomb Raider @ 1080p with everything maxed out at over 60fps. I decided on the 970 as I didnt want to splash out on a 980Ti when Pascal is only months away. My plan is to go 3840x1440 with Pascal as a 980Ti will only run medium settings at this resolution with a 60+fps.

robfosters · 10 Feb 2016 at 15:25

When it comes to FSX though, am I still running at 1080p when running 2 screens or is the resolution extended. I'm not extending across 2 monitors. I'm running as 2 separate screens and opening up a new window on the second monitor. Would that need more grunt than merely extending the desktop?

robfosters · 10 Feb 2016 at 15:26

Simon Belmont said:
980Ti wouldn't be overkill for 1080p, I know a lot here would say buy now. If your well to do yes buy 980Ti right now, cause come time for new series you'll have the cash to spend, but if moneys tight I would say wait for new series of cards. Or at least wait until GTC is over early april for some more news on Nvidia and AMD release.

That's the thing. By the time Pascal comes, if it's worth it, I could probably get a few quid back for the 980ti and easily afford the Pascal.

Ayahuasca · 10 Feb 2016 at 15:28

If it's going to improve your gaming experience for a few months and you can afford it then why not, by the time the pascal card arrives you want you may no longer be playing those titles or have the need anymore.

robfosters · 10 Feb 2016 at 15:39

I think I'll go for it. Whats the best one guys?

Dave2150 · 10 Feb 2016 at 15:48

Just be aware that your 980ti will loose £200 or more of it's value almost instantly, if the next gen cards are all they are made out to be (50% faster).

I personally think it's too late in the day to order a £500 card, considering that we know for a fact that the next gen will be available in a few months, but as others have said, if you'll get 4-6 months of enjoyment out of it, loosing a few hundred on it's resale value may not be an issue for you.

robfosters · 10 Feb 2016 at 15:50

Dave2150 said:
if the next gen cards are all they are made out to be (50% faster).

Call me a pessimist, but I think 50% faster is a fairytale.

nashathedog · 10 Feb 2016 at 15:51

wesbar said:
I was debating the same thing and ended up getting a 970 to replace my 670 SLI setup. Much happier. No SLI issues and it runs Tomb Raider @ 1080p with everything maxed out at over 60fps. I decided on the 970 as I didnt want to splash out on a 980Ti when Pascal is only months away. My plan is to go 3840x1440 with Pascal as a 980Ti will only run medium settings at this resolution with a 60+fps.

According to Nvidia's graphs a totally maxed out ROTTR's averages will drop to the mid 30's at 1080p on a 980ti. Other than that what you're saying is bang on, He's better off waiting.

Dave2150 · 10 Feb 2016 at 15:52

robfosters said:
Call me a pessimist, but I think 50% faster is a fairytale.

I'm obviously referring to the top tier new cards, as in 980ti/FuryX equivalents.

It's extrmely likely that they'll be 50% faster than current cards, considering this is the first new process we've had for many years. They'll be able to fit a huge mount of extra shaders onto the dies comapred to Fiji/Maxwell.

Ayahuasca · 10 Feb 2016 at 15:52

robfosters said:
Call me a pessimist, but I think 50% faster is a fairytale.

It's possible but it won't come till the high end Pascal and Polaris cards anyway, and from what little we know so far they're a long way off.

As for best, it depends entirely on what you want, I'd always recommend a hybrid now, but you've got the added cost to consider and any limitations from your case not being able to mount one (which is unlikely nowadays).

Jamesyboyjim · 10 Feb 2016 at 15:53

If I could I'd get a 980ti now. No one really knows what the next gen cards will bring. Your card will still be worth a few hundred by the time the new cards finally arrive.

Legend · 10 Feb 2016 at 15:54

Dave2150 said:
It's extrmely likely that they'll be 50% faster than current cards, considering this is the first new process we've had for many years. They'll be able to fit a huge mount of extra shaders onto the dies comapred to Fiji/Maxwell.

If the first cards out the gate are 50% faster than 980Ti I will buy everyone on this forum a card!! It won't happen, it's a dream, pure fantasy. In time (a long time), as Ayahuasca says, it's possible, but NOT on release.

Simon Belmont · 10 Feb 2016 at 15:56

Not one person here knows when pascal is releasing. Could come April? maybe September? maybe next year? You can't just say their a long way off? Hopefully we'll know more come GTC?

robfosters · 10 Feb 2016 at 15:59

Right, I'm convinced. Still not sure what the best 980ti is though. Looking at either the EVGA SC or the MSI 6G.

Simon Belmont · 10 Feb 2016 at 16:00

robfosters said:
Right, I'm convinced. Still not sure what the best 980ti is though. Looking at either the EVGA SC or the MSI 6G.

This is easy EVGA Classified 980 Ti. AIO 980Ti coolers are too noisy and might leak.

LoadsaMoney · 10 Feb 2016 at 16:00

nashathedog said:
According to Nvidia's graphs a totally maxed out ROTTR's averages will drop to the mid 30's at 1080p on a 980ti. Other than that what you're saying is bang on, He's better off waiting.

They're clearly wrong

wesbar said:
I was debating the same thing and ended up getting a 970 to replace my 670 SLI setup. Much happier. No SLI issues and it runs Tomb Raider @ 1080p with everything maxed out at over 60fps. I decided on the 970 as I didnt want to splash out on a 980Ti when Pascal is only months away. My plan is to go 3840x1440 with Pascal as a 980Ti will only run medium settings at this resolution with a 60+fps.

Ayahuasca · 10 Feb 2016 at 16:03

Simon Belmont said:
This is easy EVGA Classified 980 Ti. AIO 980Ti coolers are too noisy and might leak.

My AIO is much more quiet than any high end air cooled card I've used.

As for leaks then yes it's possible on about 1% of units or something extremely low.

It's also possible to get knocked over crossing the road.