Video card for 1440p 144 Hz, is that possible ?

jevwashere · 3 Sep 2016 at 19:12

Hello,

One week ago I build my first ever computer, it took me 14 hours to do that but I am very pleased with the result (it took me 6 hours to build pc and another 8 hours to install windows {for some reason skylake does not like windows 7 to be installed from usb and it took me long, long time to understand that}), anyway I have a question about what monitor and video card should I get next, thanks.

Currently I have 1080p monitor @ 60 Hz and it's running very good but i got this monitor for 50£ and for a computer what I have now, I need a better monitor.

I was looking at 2560x1440 @ 144 hz - that would be great upgrade for me (before that I had laptop for past 6 years witch was running League of Legends at 30-40fps on a very low resolution), is there any video card witch can run 144+ fps on maximum settings at 1440p ? Otherwise what is the point buying 2k monitor if you can't max out everything and "flying" around 60 fps ?

I saw some benchmarks for GTX 1080 and even this video card can't get 144 fps at 1440p but it's recommended video card if you like 1440p gaming.

Should I stay than on 1080p, upgrade my video card to 980TI and buy a 144 Hz monitor ?

I can save money and indeed I am not in rush, just going for a goal. I can buy two GTX 1080 if they are going to give me that performance what I am looking but I don't see point buying 2k monitor with 144 Hz if you can't get that fps with your video card.

Please give me as much information you can. I have to say that I have done my own research but nothing gives me a clear answer and I would like to hear what you guys have to say as you have lots of experience and you can answer on my direct question.

Kind Regards

Intel Core i5-6600K 3.9GHz (Skylake) Socket LGA1151 Processor - Retail
Asus Z170-K Intel Z170 (Socket 1151) DDR4 ATX Motherboard
Corsair Hydro Series H100i v2 Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler (CW-9060025-WW)
Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (2x4GB) DDR4 PC4-24000C15 3000MHz Dual Channel Kit - Red (CMK8GX4M2B3000C1
Kingston HyperX Savage 240GB SSD 2.5" SATA 6Gbps Solid State Drive (SHSS37A/240GB)
Super Flower Leadex GOLD 850W Fully Modular "80 Plus Gold" Power Supply - Black
Phanteks Enthoo Pro M Midi Tower Case with Window - Black
MSI NVIDIA GTX 970 Graphics Card (4GB, 1076MHz, 256 Bit, DDR5, HDMI, PCI-E)

Brazo · 3 Sep 2016 at 20:15

I'm going to tell you what you already know ie the most powerful card you can get is a Titan pascal that will stretch to 144fps in most games. That's quite a demanding figure however and I don't think even a Titan will last long at that speed. A pair of 1080's should last you longer in terms of future proofing if there is such a thing.

But your CPU will struggle to deliver 144 fps and if you go a twin card route I'd defiantly recommend an i7.

DazQ87 · 3 Sep 2016 at 20:26

Just get a monitor with variable refresh technology and a single high end card to go with it. That way you don't have any of the multi-gpu issues and any dips in framerate will be masked by g-sync/freesync.

nashathedog · 3 Sep 2016 at 20:37

DazQ87 said:
Just get a monitor with variable refresh technology and a single high end card to go with it. That way you don't have any of the multi-gpu issues and any dips in framerate will be masked by g-sync/freesync.

+1

This is the best option.

Nvidia is the only thing in your market at the moment so it'd have to be a G-sync panel and a 1080 if it was me, Over a grand on a card is not what I'd call reasonable, however I would go for the Pascal Titan rather than a pair of 1080's, but a single 1080 will suffice, Forget giving an arbitrary number (like 144) that you want to be hitting consistently because it's not going to happen (you do want a high refresh rate panel though), What games you play will be the deciding factor some will do it no problem while for others there's not a hope in hell. That will always be the case.

Cern · 3 Sep 2016 at 20:47

If you get a 144Hz monitor you don't *have* to get 144 fps to enjoy it, it'll still be good at lower fps too, especially if you get a Gsync or Freesync monitor with a GPU that can support this.

h4rm0ny · 3 Sep 2016 at 21:16

To drive a 1440p monitor at 144fps is a very expensive ask. Even for those with the money, most wouldn't want to spend it on something that depreciates so quickly.

However, you don't need to drive your frame rate that high to benefit from 144Hz refresh rate. It's natural to assume that refresh rates above what you can drive are "wasted", but in fact that's not the case. A 144Hz monitor looks better than a 60Hz one (all else being equal) even if you're nowhere close to 144fps.

Unfortunately AMD have no high-end cards at the moment so I would PERSONALLY get a 1070 for your purposes. I think that's the tipping point where value for money goes off a cliff immediately afterwards. And then maybe trade it in for whatever is high end six or seven months from now at a minor hit to your overall budget. It will still give excellent results in the meantime.

Deceptor · 3 Sep 2016 at 21:33

I use 2x 980ti SLI to drive 1440p/144Hz, not all games can cap the refresh rate at max settings but they get pretty high - plus it depends on SLI support. But even if a game is sitting at 80-100FPS it feels a lot better, G-Sync on top just makes it perfect too.

In my opinion though refresh rate is more important than resolution. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on cards then I'd recommend 1080p 120/144hz, I'd choose that over any resolution at 60Hz.

Daaaveee · 3 Sep 2016 at 21:50

As others have said, get something with G Sync and a 1070 at least and you'll definitely be able to enjoy those higher refresh rates. When I drop to 60 now I definitely notice it despite G Sync. Its still perfectly fine at 60fps don't get me wrong but once you're up in the 90+ fps range things are really nice and buttery smooth

Its really made me not want to go back to 60hz or be without G Sync!

Drollic · 3 Sep 2016 at 21:54

You actually don't want 144fps+ anyway as you then have to use fastsync or vsync instead of gsync to avoid tearing. I frame cap at 120.

SaintJimmy · 3 Sep 2016 at 22:36

Drollic said:
You actually don't want 144fps+ anyway as you then have to use fastsync or vsync instead of gsync to avoid tearing. I frame cap at 120.

That's exactly what gsync does, it will cap your fps if it goes over.

jevwashere · 4 Sep 2016 at 00:17

Wow, thanks you very much for your support and great answers.

I think i won't go crazy with this thing, don't see point spending too much money on a singe video card like titan pascan when maybe gtx 1080 ti is coming soon.
I will buy myself 1440p 144 Hz monitor with gsync and gtx 1070 video card. That should do the job and where my fps will be low, I can always change resolution to 1080p and decrease some video card settings. I have never played on 144 Hz and can't wait for it!

I have one more question, lets say I will buy gtx 1070. Witch one is better, how do you determine witch card is better (MSI, EVGA, etc) and is it safe to buy over clocked video card ? I dont mind to spend extra 100£ on a better 1070 if it's worth it.

Thanks you very much.

jevwashere · 4 Sep 2016 at 00:26

I found this video card 1080, it's water cooled and it has 4 years warranty.

Brazo said that it's not safe to buy titan pascal, because of its speed - it won't last long time but what about warranty ? Doesn't warranty covers it ? So if I buy end game video card and it has warranty, why should I get worried that video card can die after one year because it's "working too hard" ?

Thanks again

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-1080-xtreme-waterforce-8192mb-gddr5x-pci-express-graphics-card-gv-n1080xtreme-gx-185-gi.html

darket · 4 Sep 2016 at 00:37

jevwashere said:
I found this video card 1080, it's water cooled and it has 4 years warranty.

Brazo said that it's not safe to buy titan pascal, because of its speed - it won't last long time but what about warranty ? Doesn't warranty covers it ? So if I buy end game video card and it has warranty, why should I get worried that video card can die after one year because it's "working too hard" ?

Thanks again

Haha , he didnt mean its going to die, he ment the length of time it will deliver that kind of performance your expecting before its replaced by something more powerful and before games get more demanding. The price of a titan Vs a 1080 is really diminishing returns teritory and in real terms isnt worth that kind of money, and thats comming from a Titan x maxwell owner.

The smart man buys the 1070.........

jevwashere · 4 Sep 2016 at 01:22

Darket, thanks you for explaining that to me. Now it makes clear sense

melmac · 4 Sep 2016 at 11:05

jevwashere said:
Darket, thanks you for explaining that to me. Now it makes clear sense

You have a 970 at the moment?

Just buy a gsync monitor. Believe me you will notice a huge difference on a 144hz monitor no matter what your frame rate is, especially coming from a cheap 60hz monitor.

You don't like to waste money, so buy the monitor. Play some games and watch some movies etc. If you aren't satisfied with the performance your 970 is giving you on the new monitor, then consider a new graphics card.

I will bet any money that you will be delighted with the new monitor. People have been using 970's on 1440p 144hz monitor for years and have gaming quite happily.

stooeh · 4 Sep 2016 at 13:45

SaintJimmy said:
That's exactly what gsync does, it will cap your fps if it goes over.

Not what I am experiencing, appears to just use Vsync instead. I don't have many games I can pull those frames with a single 970 but on CSGO at least there is a noticeable increase in input lag at 144fps (vsync reached) versus manual 142 cap.

Of course input lag at Vsync'd 144Hz is relatively small compared to 60Hz so some might not even notice it

Davanius · 4 Sep 2016 at 14:08

Freesync and g sync are very important after having tried them to the point that it's hard to go without them. Right now I am testing a fury nitro as my monitor is freesync.

I have a gtx 1070 which is fast but as I had freesync before I don't feel the smoothness right now.

Cern · 4 Sep 2016 at 14:39

jevwashere said:
I will buy myself 1440p 144 Hz monitor with gsync and gtx 1070 video card. That should do the job and where my fps will be low, I can always change resolution to 1080p and decrease some video card settings.

You won't ever have to step down to 1080p. With a 1070 and a 1440p Gsync monitor you'll be able to run any current game at High settings or better and you shouldn't have any problems with upcoming games either. You'll likely find your existing 970 does pretty well too, so I would get the Gsync monitor first and take it from there.

X-Mikuru_Beam-X · 4 Sep 2016 at 16:25

I have an Asus PG279Q G-sync @ 165hz with a single GTX1080.

I dont try and run games at 144/165 fps of course, as long as I can run Ultra settings between 60 - 110fps the difference is massive over a 60hz monitor....

Kaapstad · 4 Sep 2016 at 16:34

jevwashere said:
I found this video card 1080, it's water cooled and it has 4 years warranty.

Brazo said that it's not safe to buy titan pascal, because of its speed - it won't last long time but what about warranty ? Doesn't warranty covers it ? So if I buy end game video card and it has warranty, why should I get worried that video card can die after one year because it's "working too hard" ?

Thanks again

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-1080-xtreme-waterforce-8192mb-gddr5x-pci-express-graphics-card-gv-n1080xtreme-gx-185-gi.html

Best but unfortunately the most expensive option is the Pascal Titan.

30% Faster than a 1080

Best option for single card usage

12gb of VRAM which gives the card longevity

Can be used in SLI at a later date if needed.

Downside

Terrible price