Build Choices

[BSula99]

Hello all,

 

So making some choices and need help. Desktop rig, debating components. First, looking at AMD vs Nvidia. RTX/GTX cards are the clear winner, right? Catch is tho, I'm a gamer that loves high FPS, buttery smooth, stunning graphics, but dont really care about nailing that 4k 144hz with those 2080 TIs in SLI, nor am I fond of the G-Sync tax over Freesync.

 

I personally prefer hitting the 1440p 144hz (its my sweet spot right now for performance and value), but I am ok with even 1080p 144hz+, or 1440p 60 hz (the latter over the former). So I'm not really concerned with picking up the latest and greatest (ray tracing is great and the cards are wicked powerful, just not all that necessary imo).

 

So the question becomes, what GPU setup is truly the best to meet the above requirements at the best value point? Personally I am inclined to a 1440p 60hz with Freesync, and running it with two 580s in crossfire (cheap but effective, plus the micro stuttering isn't terrible with those cards, and they scale well), or else perhaps running a Vega 64? Yes, I realize a 1070 TI or 1080 could outperform it, but are they really worth the money with that display tax, particularly when you pick up a used 64 from a mining rig on ebay at $300-400 USD?

 

Of course this is only my opinion, I am quite interested in any input or other evaluations that might be suggested, especially those who find that a 2080 or 2080TI is worth the money (on a 1440p 144hz display, I'm not spending $2,000 for a 4k 144hz) as I have considered picking up those cards (solo 2080TI or 2 2080s using NVLink rather than SLI).

 

It's worth noting AMD has promised a response to RTX and it may be worth waiting to see what they produce, given a typically lower price point.

 

Following that line of thought, my next question is in regards to the CPU/RAM/Mobo. I am also anticipating the release of 7nm CPUs in the near future, and DDR5 down the road a year or so. My question there is what is the minimum CPU I can use effectively to support the above display options while waiting for the 7nm models to be released, at which time I will significantly incease the tier of the CPU (preferably Intel).

 

Finally, in regards to the mobo/ram, is DDR5 likely to make a large impact on gaming, or am I ok running DDR4 for quite some time to come (3+ years). If I should plan on upgrading to DDR5, will 8GB RAM suffice while waiting, or will I need to get the standard 16GB? If waiting, what is a good mobo to hold me over but not do much more? If not, what is the "best" board I can get for ddr4 (that presumably will also support the 7nm chipset, as AMD promised at least, intel not so much) that will do everything for me gaming wise, but wont have an excessive amount of features I will never use or take advantage of?

[PopsicleHustler]

Paragraphs, paragraphs please......

[BSula99]

4 minutes ago, PopsicleHustler said:

Paragraphs, paragraphs please......

Apologies. Post is edited.

[PopsicleHustler]

2 minutes ago, BSula99 said:

Apologies. Post is edited.

As for the GPU, a 1080ti still does pretty much anything at 1440p without a problem. I wouldn't buy RX580 now because there might be a refresh RX680 coming out next month or so. Also, getting RX580  for crossfire isn't good value because of power draw increase. And end result may vary alot due to bad SLI/CrossFire scaling in different games.

 

As for the CPU, i7 8700k  will do the job for 1440p 144hz.

 

DDR5...We don't have any valuable data on it. Its anyone's guess at this point. Some said it was going to come out this year, some say it won't come out until mid 2020.

[Jurrunio]

It depends on what games you play, otherwise the 1080ti will be a solid choice for 1440p 144Hz high (not highest) settings in most games you can buy.

 

Not into raytracing myself, rasterization is enough to get me immersed into the game. It's not like when we first get lightings, shadows, 3D modelling and ambient occlusion.

 

No need to wait for DDR5 specifically. Get the CPU you want first, then see what memory it uses and buy those. High frequency kits are all over the place, so if standard JEDEC spec stuff won't work, buy factory binned stuff.