Advice Needed on Replacement Graphics Card

[Joe89]

Hi there,

I bought my PC from PCS about 2.5 years ago and last week my graphics card packed up. As it is out of warranty, I need a replacement. I would much rather buy from PCS if possible as their service and support has been brilliant. (My SSD also packed up about a month ago and was replaced very quickly - luckily it was still under warranty).

Specs (Nov 2013)

Case
COOLERMASTER CM690 MKII ADVANCED CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5 Quad Core Processor i5-4670 (3.4GHz) 6MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® Z87-A: ATX, USB2.0, USB3.0, SATA6GB/S, SLi, XFIRE
Memory (RAM)
8GB KINGSTON HYPER-X GENESIS DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz, X.M.P (2 x 4GB KIT)
Graphics Card
3GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 780 - 2 DVI, HDMI, DP - 3D Vision Ready
1st Hard Disk
120GB KINGSTON HYPERX 3K SSD, SATA 6 Gb/s (upto 555MB/sR | 510MB/sW)
2nd Hard Disk
1TB WD CAVIAR BLACK WD1002FAEX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (7200rpm)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W ENTHUSIAST SERIES™ MODULAR TXM-750 V2-80 PLUS®
Processor Cooling
Super Quiet 22dBA Triple Copper Heatpipe Intel CPU Cooler
Operating System
Genuine Windows 8.1 64 Bit

I've only ever had Nvidia cards so I'd much rather stick to them and obviously the announcement of the GTX 1070/1080 adds a whole new set of variables, as hopefully it will lower the prices of the current cards. I can wait until card prices adjust (if it's a month or so?). But, given that two components have failed back-to-back, I'm worried that investing too much in my current system would be a waste of time and money. It doesn't look like PCS sell the GTX 780/780ti any more (checked under Upgrades and new build) so, considering the age and spec of my PC, what would be the best course of action?

1) Get a new card that is roughly the same as the GTX 780 to last until I replace the whole system (approx. 2 years?)? If so, which one would be equivalent? GTX 960/970?
2) Get a higher spec card like the GTX 980/980ti if/when the price drops?
3) Get a GTX 1070/1080? (Would it just be unbalanced given the other specs?)
4) Just bite the bullet and get a whole new system built around the GTX 1070/1080? (may involve selling a kidney, lol)

Any other options/suggestions/opinions would be gratefully recieved.

Thanks in advance.

 

[SpyderTracks]

That's still a very capable system and won't bottleneck any graphics card you want to put in.

A gtx970 would be about the same as a 780 I guess, but personally I'd hold out for a gtx1070 if you can. The leap between the two cards is drastic for not a lot of money (£70).

 

[Oussebon]

I'd imagine a GTX 1070 will be the way to go. Not quite sure what you do in the meantime though.

 

[Frank100]

Hi,

The 1070 and 1080 should be available as early as May 27th, so it isn't a long wait. I suspect the older cards won't be discounted much when the new ones come out because companies like Dell and HP will continue to buy up the older cards for some time so they can guarantee their corporate customers will have identical machines to the ones they were buying six months ago.

If you bought a 1070 and your PC did go bang, which would be a surprise at only 2.5 years old, you could cascade the card over to a new computer.

Frank100

 

[Oussebon]

The 1070's not available until 10th June.

Also I believe the 27th May and 21st June dates are actually supposed to be for the founders edition cards. 'Normal' cards might not come out until a little later?

The GTX 1070 will be the latter of the two new Pascal cards, hitting the streets on June 10[SUP]th[/SUP]. Like the GTX 1080, NVIDIA’s press release is very careful to only attach that date to the Founders Edition version, so we’re still waiting on confirmation over whether the base card will be available on the 10[SUP]th[/SUP] as well.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/10304/nvidia-announces-the-geforce-gtx-1080-1070/2

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 "Founders Edition" will be available on May 27 for $699.
< snip>
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 "Founders Edition" will be available on June 10 for $449. Custom boards from partners are expected to start at $379.

http://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/a...roduces-geforce-gtx-1080#sthash.6irDZPor.dpuf

Is there an update on the non-founders dates?

 

[SpyderTracks]

The 1070's not available until 10th June.

Also I believe the 27th May and 21st June dates are actually supposed to be for the founders edition cards. 'Normal' cards might not come out until a little later?

http://www.anandtech.com/show/10304/nvidia-announces-the-geforce-gtx-1080-1070/2

http://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/a...roduces-geforce-gtx-1080#sthash.6irDZPor.dpuf

Is there an update on the non-founders dates?

From what I've read, nvidia are purely making their own claims they can stand by. Manufacturers editions should be out around the same time I'm guessing as a few designs have already been leaked. This is pure guess work though of course.

 

[Frank100]

Hi,

I've been promised two 1080s which will arrive on May 27th from a reliable supplier that gets me a lot of high end stuff. I think a colleague of mine has one coming on the same day for personal use.

Frank100

 

[Oussebon]

Ah, very nice, thanks for the info.

 

[Joe89]

Thanks for the feedback everyone - Looks like the GTX1070 is the way to go. It does make the most sense really, but now I can justify it to myself by saying "Those nice fellows on the PCS forum said I HAVE to get one. I've got no choice, it's out of my hands." lol

Now all I have to do is survive without my favourite games until, hopefully, some time in June. Ever noticed that nothing in this world makes you want to play video games, like not being able to play video games? Anyone want to bet I crack before then and try to get a 1080 because it's out first? Damn you Nvidia, damn you all to heck!! *shakes fist at sky*.

OK, time to go through my steam library and see what Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600 can do!

Thanks again everyone, live long and prosper.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Thanks for the feedback everyone - Looks like the GTX1070 is the way to go. It does make the most sense really, but now I can justify it to myself by saying "Those nice fellows on the PCS forum said I HAVE to get one. I've got no choice, it's out of my hands." lol

Now all I have to do is survive without my favourite games until, hopefully, some time in June. Ever noticed that nothing in this world makes you want to play video games, like not being able to play video games? Anyone want to bet I crack before then and try to get a 1080 because it's out first? Damn you Nvidia, damn you all to heck!! *shakes fist at sky*.

OK, time to go through my steam library and see what Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600 can do!

Thanks again everyone, live long and prosper.

[rollinglaugh] Too true, too true