Should I upgrade?

[Kragos]

Hello,

 

I currently have the gtx 970 amp extreme core edition by zotac that for some reason has been extremely overclocked I think. I looked at the base clocks and the boosted, which were in the 13-1400 range. My 970 started in the 1500 range and I overclocked it to 1600 range with 3900 memory clock. Any higher on both causes artifacts to form. Would reducing my temps from the mid 70's to preferably 40-50's mean I can further overclock or would I be better off getting a new graphics card. Such as a 1070 or 1070ti, over a water cooling system that water cools my cpu and gpu. What are you thoughts and suggestions?

[Agonizel]

I don't know what you play, I don't know what resolution you play on, but here's my opinion:

Upgrade from a GTX970/1060/780ti when you go from 1080p - to 1440p 144hz gaming.

Custom watercooling requires a budget of minimum around $400-500 for quality components and high maintenance. Furthermore, there are more and more brands entering that market without much expertise and end up selling low grade material even at high prices. I don't recommend a custom loop at the present.

 

A GPU runs hot. My 1080 runs at 54°C idle on a 1440P 144hz monitor, my friend's 1080ti has similar temps. Wanting 40-50 on load is a bit too optimistic.

A bit of context:
- Nvidia is rumoured to have anticipated high demand & increased production the moment the Cryptocurrency-mining hype died off.

- As a result, Nvidia has an overstock in pascal cards
- They want to get rid of the pascal cards: A retailer told me he could buy batches of 1070's at $215 a piece. 
- Nvidia intends to sell the new Turing cards at higher prices in order for consumers to still have an incentive to buy pascal cards

My suggestions: It depends on your budget
- High Budget: Pre-order a Turing Card from your favored brand
- Low Budget: Buy a max. 1 year-old GTX1070 2nd Hand when the Turings come out. It should cost around $200-300 
 

[HelloJack5]

TBH it is not worth upgrading if you are playing at 1080p 60hz if you are playing 1440p or 144hz, then it is. Then just get a gtx 1070 or 1070ti just the cheapest one you can get and you are set.

[i_build_nanosuits]

1 hour ago, Kragos said:

Hello,

 

I currently have the gtx 970 amp extreme core edition by zotac that for some reason has been extremely overclocked I think.

hold on to it a few more months...you can do it, new cards should be here this fall, i think.