GTX 1070 vs 1080 and 1080p vs 1440p

[Morphumax]

I have a 3770k @ 4.2. 16Gb 1600mhz RAM. I want to get either a gtx 1070 with a 24" 1080p 144hz monitor or a 1080 with a 27" 1440p 144hz monitor. I don't typically play super demanding games. Recently I have been playing LoL, Overwatch, Dying Light and BF1. For single player games I am fine with lower FPS (60 ish) and for fast pace games I am fine with lowering settings a bit to keep 120+ frames. I have been doing tons of research and cannot make a decision. Its probably a difference of between $400-$500. I know that with the size difference the dpi between the two monitors is not that different, so I guess the biggest advantage with the 1440p would be just a larger monitor with maybe SLIGHTLY better picture quality? Thoughts please!



p.s. I am planning on getting g-sync either way. I have never used it but 90% of what I have read, people say its amazing.

 

[Kanan]

Well if you don't care it's "slight", but actually 1440p is a over 75% higher resolution and therefore a lot better in image quality. 27" is better than 24" as well, I would not make the switch back to a smaller monitor from my 27" I now have for many years.

That said, 27"/1440p is worth it, if you want to spend that kind of money, go for it. Gsync on the other side is not a must, but it's nice to have. At this point I would rather go for a 1080 Ti, it's a ton better than the 1080 and just a few hundred bucks more. You can save the money elsewhere (by not buying a Gsync monitor, for example). Same as with the 980, it's not that great anymore after 980 Ti released.

 

[Morphumax]

Well if you don't care it's "slight", but actually 1440p is a over 75% higher resolution and therefore a lot better in image quality. 27" is better than 24" as well, I would not make the switch back to a smaller monitor from my 27" I now have for many years.

That said, 27"/1440p is worth it, if you want to spend that kind of money, go for it. Gsync on the other side is not a must, but it's nice to have. At this point I would rather go for a 1080 Ti, it's a ton better than the 1080 and just a few hundred bucks more. You can save the money elsewhere (by not buying a Gsync monitor, for example). Same as with the 980, it's not that great anymore after 980 Ti released.

The only reason I say slight is because the DPI, because of the size increase, barely increases from 1080 to 1440. My fear with a 1080 Ti is that I would then be quite limited by my CPU

 

[Kanan]

The only reason I say slight is because the DPI, because of the size increase, barely increases from 1080 to 1440. My fear with a 1080 Ti is that I would then be quite limited by my CPU

That's true.
Well the i7 3770K @ 4.2 GHz can still handle a 1080 Ti, because 1440p resolution has high usage on GPUs. But it will most certainly not always run at 100% GPU util, a CPU upgrade should be the next thing after then. But I'd even do that with a GTX 1080 after some time, the 3770K is still nice, but for an highend PC somewhat outdated. That said, I'd still go with the 1080 Ti, optimal GPU for 1440p @ high fps.

 

[Morphumax]

That's true.
Well the i7 3770K @ 4.2 GHz can still handle a 1080 Ti, because 1440p resolution has high usage on GPUs. But it will most certainly not always run at 100% GPU util, a CPU upgrade should be the next thing after then. But I'd even do that with a GTX 1080 after some time, the 3770K is still nice, but for an highend PC somewhat outdated. That said, I'd still go with the 1080 Ti, optimal GPU for 1440p @ high fps.

Off topic, but how well does that cpu cooler in your picture work? I was trying to decide between the Noctua NH-D15 or probably a corsair AIO liquid cooler, but the small chance of a leak scares me.

 

[Kanan]

Off topic, but how well does that cpu cooler in your picture work? I was trying to decide between the Noctua NH-D15 or probably a corsair AIO liquid cooler, but the small chance of a leak scares me.

That's a D14, but it works great, cools down my 3960X (6 core) @ 4.5 GHz well enough, I managed up to 5 GHz OC with it. NH-D15 would be even better.

 

[Morphumax]

That's a D14, but it works great, cools down my 3960X (6 core) @ 4.5 GHz well enough, I managed up to 5 GHz OC with it. NH-D15 would be even better.

Should be a big improvement over my current Evo 212 I would assume? Also, new gpus run much hotter than my gtx 660 (15ish Celsius it seems), is that going to make a noticeable temp increase on my cpu as well?

 

[Kanan]

Yeah a pretty big improvement with overclocking.

Well only if your case isn't ventilated properly, simply see to it that you have at least 2x 120mm fans intake and at least 1x 120 mm out.

 

[Morphumax]

Yeah a pretty big improvement with overclocking.

Well only if your case isn't ventilated properly, simply see to it that you have at least 2x 120mm fans intake and at least 1x 120 mm out.

My current case isn't great. Looking at probably https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811139009. My current case wouldn't fit the D15 or a 2x120mm radiator

 

[droopyRO]

Cases are important with high TDP a 3770k with a 1070 are about 220W both so not that much heat, especialy with that case. I would save the money to buy another platform like the Ryzen and whatever 6-8 core CPU Intel will be launching in the future, 3770k@4.2 is still a potent CPU for gaming.

 

[Hood]

I went with 27" 1440p 2 years ago, and even though it's only 60Hz, it looks good. Spent $400 on Crossover monitor and $400 on 780 Ti. Never going back to 1080p, waiting for the right price for 4k. A radiator and higher OC will get another year or two out of your 3770K..

 

[droopyRO]

Depends on what you are playing, but i would not get a 4 core CPU as my next upgrade. I wanted a 1600x to replace my 4 year old 3770k but there are no performance gains in games to justify the price tag. 6-8 cores are the future IMHO.
As to resolution 1440p is taxing on your GPU used it since 2013 many times i wished i had chosen a lower res. monitor.

 

[Morphumax]

Do most games nowadays make efficient use of multi core? For gaming is a 4 core @ 4.2 better than a 6 core @ 3.5?

 

[Kanan]

Do most games nowadays make efficient use of multi core? For gaming is a 4 core @ 4.2 better than a 6 core @ 3.5?

In most games that 4 core @ 4.2 GHz would be better, yes (depending on architecture of course, but I guess you mean Intel Core ones).

My current case isn't great. Looking at probably https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811139009. My current case wouldn't fit the D15 or a 2x120mm radiator

Tower looks fine to me. Any questions left?

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I went with 27" 1440p 2 years ago, and even though it's only 60Hz, it looks good. Spent $400 on Crossover monitor and $400 on 780 Ti. Never going back to 1080p, waiting for the right price for 4k. A radiator and higher OC will get another year or two out of your 3770K..

All good under the Hood?

 

[Mussels]

The only reason I say slight is because the DPI, because of the size increase, barely increases from 1080 to 1440. My fear with a 1080 Ti is that I would then be quite limited by my CPU

my 3770k doesnt limit my GTX1080 at all, have no fears at all about your CPU holding you back.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

my 3770k doesnt limit my GTX1080 at all, have no fears at all about your CPU holding you back.