GPU update, which one should I buy?

[linker357]

MY birthday is in less than a month and I'll be getting some money because of it. I wanna buy a new graphics card and so I've currently got a 980ti; should I buy a 1080 as soon as I get the money (taking advantage of the fact that prices are dropping) or should I wait for the 1080 ti which will come out at more or less the same price of the 1080 at launch?

[ExtremeDude2]

I suppose the question is what are you running and do you really need a larger GPU?

[Admentus]

If you are seeking out a new GPU just because of Dolphin then there is no need to buy the GTX 1080, your GTX 980 Ti is already way more than enough for just Dolphin. Within emulation it is most primarly about having a better CPU instead of a GPU. But if you are interested in native PC gaming then it might be useful to upgrade, since native PC games benefit way from from the GPU than emulation can. But I am wondering, should you not upgrade your Intel Core i5 4670k @4.4GHz first? It seems that your CPU would be a botteneck for your intended GPU. But your profile states you are using a GTX 760, so it seems your profile it a bit of out date. Just keep in mind that you should have a CPU being on par to the GTX 1080.

In fact, I don't think there is any need in your case to upgrade your PC. Your CPU and GPU are more than enough for Dolphin. You could however increase the RAM to 16 GB or 32 GB so you can prefetch texture packs. Otherwise more RAM is useful for native PC gaming too. 16 GB is just the new standard. But then again, if you intend to do more than just Dolphin then... yeah, upgrade! Personally, if I had your hardware I would wait a few more years. I don't think it is worth to upgrade a GPU each year. It is cheaper too if I would just upgrade (let's say) every 3 years. That is, if the standard is being raised so high so that I can't keep up playing the newest games. As long I can keep up with 30 FPS, 1080p and High settings I am fine. Higher quality is always better, but it is a lot more expensive too. I can always revisit my games when I upgrade my hardware.

Well... That's just my personal opinion.

[linker357]

I'm playing on 1080p, however I plan in upgrading to a 4k display in the near future (maybe), I've got an 6700k and 16gb of ddr4, I play mostly pc games (Dolphin once in a while) but I play demanding games such as the witcher 3, fallout 4 with mods, battlefield 1, I plan on buying shadow of war too

[ExtremeDude2]

I feel like maybe it would be better to get a 4k display first, then look at your GPU again.

[Admentus]

I'm playing on 1080p, however I plan in upgrading to a 4k display in the near future (maybe), I've got an 6700k and 16gb of ddr4, I play mostly pc games (Dolphin once in a while) but I play demanding games such as the witcher 3, fallout 4 with mods, battlefield 1, I plan on buying shadow of war too

Ohh, you should update your profile then. But that certainly changes the situation. If 4k at 60 FPS for demanding games is a must-have then yeah, the GTX 1080 Ti is basically required. But if you are still stuck on 1080p, well... There isn't much need to upgrade your GPU... for now.

For now I am stuck at 1080p gaming. But that will change in a few years. 1000 MB Fiber internet is also on the rise later this year in my neighbourhood. Well... I still need a 4k display monitor (some time in the distant future). I am fairly certain I skip the GTX 1000 series. I just wait for the GTX 1100 or GTX 1200 series. My GTX 960 is sufficient for now. Keep in mind that the new hardware lineup in 2018 will be superior to the GTX 1000 series, and the hardware lineup the year after will be superior to that of 2017. In other words, it is a never-ending cycle of keeping up with the latest hardware.

[Helios]

I run a 980ti and I have no reason to upgrade for at least 2-3 years. Everything I play looks great at 1080p from 60-144 frames.