I really hate the word "overkill"

[We'llBangOK?]

Here's why.

2 years ago i was building a new rig, asked everybody for what gpu should i go with for my budget and the resolution that i'm content using with (which is 1440x900). At that time, ever single person that i've asked for advice that, is GTX 670 will be future proof for my resolution at 900p for at least 4 years on ultra settings, folks said that a GTX 670 will be "overkill" for that resolution and i should get a gpu like 7850, which i ended up getting.

Once i finally built my system and using it with intense games like Metro 2033, Last Light and many more, i saw that it was not true at all, even a 7850 couldn't handle games at maxed settings on that resolution.

Anyway, i'm going to upgrade my GPU and was wondering should i get something like GTX 970 or going with something higher ?

I'll be using it with 1440x900.

So, here's the rest of my system at the moment.

I5 3470
8 GB Ram

 

[FordGT90Concept]

But, but, but Overkill Software!

I wouldn't get a GTX 970 unless you plan on upgrading your screen in the near future. If you insist, I would go with GTX 970 or R9 290X. GTX 980 isn't worth the jump in price and integrated SLI/Crossfire I tend to avoid unless you're using ridiculous resolution or many monitors.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

grab a GTX 770. i wouldnt really go any higher than that unless you just want to spend money. 2x 660Ti's are also pretty good but those cards are a little harder to get now since they've been EOL for so long, but they will rip shit up for a 19" monitor.

 

[EarthDog]

At that res, you are more cpu bound than gpu even with a 970...

Hate on overkill all you want... But my suggestion is to not upgrade your gpu every four years, but shrink it down to 2-3.

 

[64K]

People should not have spoken so boldly a couple of years ago when the new gen consoles hadn't been released. Now we know what kind of ports we will be getting and in general the performance required for the next couple of years anyway. I don't think you need a GTX 970 at your resolution but it couldn't hurt so if you want to spend some extra $$$ to feel more secure about the near future then go ahead.

 

[We'llBangOK?]

Maybe a 280x ? But i honestly don't believe that, a 280x couldn't max. a game like GTA V with AA and AF at 900p, am i wrong ?

 

[EarthDog]

970 or 290 friend... Dont get a 280x(=7970).

 

[Bow]

Love the band

 

[Sasqui]

... anything worth killing is worth overkilling

 

[Blue-Knight]

Anyway, i'm going to upgrade my GPU and was wondering should i get something like GTX 970 or going with something higher ?

Buy the most powerful GPU you can afford. It is better to be "overkill" than too weak.

Just my opinion.

 

[Toothless]

A 970 is "overkill" for the moment on that resolution, but not in the future..

 

[Random Murderer]

At that res, you are more cpu bound than gpu even with a 970...

Completely agree with this. Either overclock that i5 or drop an i7 in, but at the resolution you use, you're CPU bound for sure. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if by upping the speed of that i5 you were able to raise some game settings and get the same framerate you are now. Also, not sure what people were thinking by recommending the 7850 over the 670...

 

[Toothless]

As many have said but I can clear it up- The lower the resolution, the more CPU horsepower is needed and the higher the resolution, the more GPU power. It's kinda how people can get by on an overclocked Pentium when playing 1080p games.

Completely agree with this. Either overclock that i5 or drop an i7 in, but at the resolution you use, you're CPU bound for sure. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if by upping the speed of that i5 you were able to raise some game settings and get the same framerate you are now. Also, not sure what people were thinking by recommending the 7850 over the 670...

Locked i5. They're better off getting an unlocked i5 or locked i7 and getting a 970. I'm running my system specs rig on 1080p easily. Not maxing everything but eh.. Killing Floor looks pretty.

 

[Aquinus]

Get an unlocked i5 or i7. At lower resolutions as many others have stated, you'll be CPU bound. A new GPU isn't going to get you more performance if the weakest link is your CPU.

What you're describing as "overkill" is what I would call "the wrong tool for the wrong job". You need to figure out what your bottleneck is before railing on how people use certain terms because upgrading your GPU won't do you any good if your CPU can't handle it. This isn't an "overkill" problem, it's a "you don't understand the problem" problem.

 

[Blue-Knight]

The lower the resolution, the more CPU horsepower is needed and the higher the resolution, the more GPU power.

Correct me if I am wrong, I am newbie at this...

The required CPU processing power wouldn't increase in such situation right?!

I mean, at a lower resolution the GPU will work less to achieve a certain frame rate while higher resolutions will require much more GPU power and a bit higher CPU processing power.
Considering the GPU work is limited by the monitor refresh rate and it will be easier to achieve that with less pixels.

is that correct or am I mistaken?!

 

[Aquinus]

Correct me if I am wrong, I am newbie at this...

The required CPU processing power wouldn't increase in such situation right?!

I mean, at a lower resolution the GPU will work less to achieve a certain frame rate while higher resolutions will require much more GPU power and a bit higher CPU processing power.
Considering the GPU work is limited by the monitor refresh rate and it will be easier to achieve that with less pixels.

is that correct or am I mistaken?!

Nope, you completely understand that correctly. CPU becomes the bigger bottleneck as frame rates increase and lower resolutions enables the GPU to do less work for every frame making the CPU liable for more of the rendering time as well as the simple fact that the GPU is pumping out frames faster. Coordination becomes a bigger task which lies completely on the CPU.

 

[Random Murderer]

Locked i5. They're better off getting an unlocked i5 or locked i7 and getting a 970. I'm running my system specs rig on 1080p easily. Not maxing everything but eh.. Killing Floor looks pretty.

Ah, didn't catch that it was locked.
Yeah, it seems either an unlocked i5 or an i7 is in order here. Either way, I'd grab an unlocked CPU anyway.
And while the 970 would be a huge upgrade with the new CPU, he might not need it once he upgrades the CPU, especially considering he's on a lower res than you and already has a more powerful GPU.

 

[We'llBangOK?]

Get an unlocked i5 or i7. At lower resolutions as many others have stated, you'll be CPU bound. A new GPU isn't going to get you more performance if the weakest link is your CPU.

What you're describing as "overkill" is what I would call "the wrong tool for the wrong job". You need to figure out what your bottleneck is before railing on how people use certain terms because upgrading your GPU won't do you any good if your CPU can't handle it. This isn't an "overkill" problem, it's a "you don't understand the problem" problem.

My I5 3470 is oc'd to 4.00Ghz (default: 3.20) it's really one of the best price/performance cpu out there. I think i'm still not "getting it" because i was sure as hell with 4.00 rate i thought i wouldn't have problems with cpu bottlenecking at 900p.

Maybe i should get some "unlocked i5 or i7" and try to beat the world record and reach 9.90 Ghz just to play at 900p, right ?

Also, not sure what people were thinking by recommending the 7850 over the 670...

Those wise guys thought it would be useless and called it "OVERKILL!!!!! OVERKILL!!" like a zombie hooked up to the wrong stuff.

 

[Aquinus]

Maybe i should get some "unlocked i5 or i7" and try to beat the world record and reach 9.90 Ghz just to play at 900p, right ?

Those wise guys thought it would be useless and called it "OVERKILL!!!!! OVERKILL!!" like a zombie hooked up to the wrong stuff.

How about you stop acting like a child and mature up. If this is how you're going to talk to people this thread deserves to be locked.

 

[Toothless]

My I5 3470 is oc'd to 4.00Ghz (default: 3.20) it's really one of the best price/performance cpu out there. I think i'm still not "getting it" because i was sure as hell with 4.00 rate i thought i wouldn't have problems with cpu bottlenecking at 900p.

Maybe i should get some "unlocked i5 or i7" and try to beat the world record and reach 9.90 Ghz just to play at 900p, right ?



Those wise guys thought it would be useless and called it "OVERKILL!!!!! OVERKILL!!" like a zombie hooked up to the wrong stuff.

Your resolution is too low to fully use your current GPU, what do you think a 970 will do?

As for the 9.9ghz comment; I smell frustration and ignorance. We're trying to explain things to you.

 

[We'llBangOK?]

Why get offended ?

I told it as it is.

Anyway enough with the drama.

So is 4.00Ghz not enough with GTX 970 or a lower tier card like 280x to run at max on 900p ? What can i do to achieve fully maxed out experience with AA and AF with a game like GTA 5 ?

As for the 9.9ghz comment; I smell frustration and ignorance. We're trying to explain things to you.

Brother, i'm saying that because i'm at 4.00Ghz and was shocked to hear that i needed to go even higher than that for a lousy 900p. Don't get it wrong.

Just trying to have a full exp. on 900p, peace.


By the way, i'm thanking everyone on this thread (check it) so no need to get upset guys

 

[peche]

Well, if you can afford the GTX 970 just do it, also if the money wont be a problem, get a GTX 980, you won't regret,

I don’t like AMD radeon so much… but you can also consider R9 290X , if I would have the chance to upgrade my card I would go for gigabyte G1 Gaming 980 4GB!

Having an asskicker Video Card its never an "Overkill" ...
regards.

 

[Toothless]

If you're getting the 970, then get a 1080p monitor. It's probably the only way to actually use your GPU and not bottleneck due to your CPU.

 

[We'llBangOK?]

But i stated that i was content with 900p.

So it's basically impossible at 900p ?

(Thanks EarthDog )

 

[EarthDog]

Content I think is what you are looking for...

Grammar police aside )), while you will likely see some increases in buying a new card, you wont get nearly what you should with having a proper monitor or an even higher overclock on the CPU.

Like others said, try pushing your CPU a bit more if you can and see if you can get more FPS out it.

If you go with a better card, I suggest you then go into the NVCP or CCC and override/add to the in game AA settings as that will put more work on the GPU and less on the CPU... to what end that will work though. No clue.