Best GPU choice currently?

[Hallowenman]

I am considering to upgrade to a bit more powerful GPU. My current specs can be found in my forum signature I believe. Right now I don't know what my budget is going to be exactly, but a 1070 would be withing budget, and a 1080 would most likely be just a little too expensive. Being prepared for the future of gaming is important to me, but when a 1080 isn't within budget I am wondering if the 1070 is worth it. I have seen many people recommending the 1060, is the 1070 simply too expensive compared to the 1060 in price versus performance?

 

And also, what are my limitations with Windows 10 OEM? Can I even change GPU with Windows 10 OEM activation?

[pelark]

You can definitely change GPUs with OEM windows, just not Motherboards. 

I'd hold on to your 970 until vega launches, as it is essentially on par with the 1060 in most occasions. Vega should bring some competition to the 1070/1080 line, and I'm crossing my fingers that the cards will offer better value.

[Sniperfox47]

3 minutes ago, Hallowenman said:

I am considering to upgrade to a bit more powerful GPU. My current specs can be found in my forum signature I believe. Right now I don't know what my budget is going to be exactly, but a 1070 would be withing budget, and a 1080 would most likely be just a little too expensive. Being prepared for the future of gaming is important to me, but when a 1080 isn't within budget I am wondering if the 1070 is worth it. I have seen many people recommending the 1060, is the 1070 simply too expensive compared to the 1060 in price versus performance?

 

And also, what are my limitations with Windows 10 OEM? Can I even change GPU with Windows 10 OEM activation?

With an OEM copy of Windows 10 you should be fine unless your motherboard changes. If you have certain odd configuration changes it might invalidate your license activation but a graphics card shouldn't, and even if it does you just need to call up Microsoft to re-enable it after verifying it's the same PC.

 

As far as 1060 vs 1070 I think it's mostly a matter of "if a 1070 is fine for what you do, a 1060 is probably also fine" especially if gaming at 1080p. Personally I'd suggest the 1070 since it gives you a bit more wiggle room in the future to put off the upgrade a little longer, but depending on your games, and what resolution you play at, you may or may not even notice the difference.

[detrivos07]

Just now, pelark said:

You can definitely change GPUs with OEM windows, just not Motherboards. 

I'd hold on to your 970 until vega launches, as it is essentially on par with the 1060 in most occasions. Vega should bring some competition to the 1070/1080 line, and I'm crossing my fingers that the cards will offer better value.

Also the competition will help drive down prices.

[pelark]

Just now, detrivos07 said:

Also the competition will help drive down prices.

Exactly  

[Hallowenman]

But how is the GTX 10 series when it comes to temperatures? My case is not very good when it comes to cooling solutions, and the GTX 970 can get a bit hot.

[Squanchy]

1080 Ti > everything else.

 

Just kidding, at 1080p a 1070 will be overkill. Otherwise if you're at 1440p, a 1070 is the sweet spot, a 1080 honestly for the price isn't worth it.

 

As for your windows question, Only if you swap motherboards. Any hardware changes like gpu, cpu.. etc won't mess with the Win Validation.

[Mira Yurizaki]

57 minutes ago, Hallowenman said:

I am considering to upgrade to a bit more powerful GPU. My current specs can be found in my forum signature I believe. Right now I don't know what my budget is going to be exactly, but a 1070 would be withing budget, and a 1080 would most likely be just a little too expensive. Being prepared for the future of gaming is important to me, but when a 1080 isn't within budget I am wondering if the 1070 is worth it. I have seen many people recommending the 1060, is the 1070 simply too expensive compared to the 1060 in price versus performance?

It depends on what your requirements are. Define the following:

• Target resolution
• Target frame rate
• Settings you want to enable
• Type of gaming you do (single player, competitive, etc.)

For example, if you want high settings at 1080p at a target frame rate of 60 FPS, a GTX 1070 will easily achieve this now and will be able to hold up for a few years. A GTX 1060 6GB or RX 580 will manage this now, but may not in the next few years (you may have to lower some settings). If you're a competitive gamer, then you can get away with a GTX 1060 6GB or RX 580 because you should be lowering settings anyway to achieve maximum FPS and either card can easily do 200+ FPS on the lowest settings for popular competitive games (though someone feel free to correct me).

 

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And also, what are my limitations with Windows 10 OEM? Can I even change GPU with Windows 10 OEM activation?

Yes. There's really no limitation on the OEM license other than you cannot transfer it to another computer (which in Microsoft's definition a "computer" is the motherboard).