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Need input, opinions for GTX 1060 versus GTX 1070! (Time is a factor)

439 views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  Juub 
#1 ·
Hi Folks,
I'm in the market for a new graphics card and plan to place an order for one before the day is over. At present, I have an MSI R HD7970BE, which has 3 GB memory, a Bus Width of 384, a default Boost/Base Core clock of 1050MHz and 5500MHz (1375 x 4) memory clock speed.

I'm not a "gamer" per se, but I am an avid Flight Sim hobbyist. Over the years, I've accumulated several thousand dollars of 3rd party add-on software for my Flight Sim platform; FSX.

FSX hits the CPU hardest but the GPU certainly contributes strong support to the system.

My budget is keeping me at an ABSOLUTE maximum of $390.00. However, I was looking at a GTX 1060 6GB card for about $270.00 when I started. Then after reading some reviews, (Tom's Hardware rated both at 9.8 and claimed low OC percentage) I began considering the GTX 1070 8GB.

The problem is that the 1070's that are in the $390.00 spot may not be all that much of an improvement over the 1060 for the additional $110.00+ price tag.

The following cards, (links included), are what I'm looking at. Most are MSI's but I have some EVGA in the list too.

Keeping in mind that I'm focused on using it for the FSX Flight Sim only, (no games) I'm hoping that someone can help me determine the best card for my needs, bang for the buck, and OC capabilities.

Thank you,
Rich
(My basic system specs are below as well).

$389.99: MSI GAMING GeForce GTX 1070 8GB (GeForce GTX 1070 ARMOR 8G OC)
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01GXOX2BU?ref=emc_b_5_t&th=1

$264.99: MSI Computer GTX 1060 ARMOR 6G OCV1 NVIDIA GeForce GDDR5 DVI/2HDMI/2DisplayPort PCI-Express Video Card https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01L9VB642?ref=emc_b_5_t&th=1

$279.99: MSI GAMING GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5 DirectX 12 VR Ready (GeForce GTX 1060 GAMING X 6G)
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01IEKYD5U?ref=emc_b_5_t

$289.00: MSI GeForce GTX 1060 DirectX 12 GTX 1060 ARMOR 6G OCV1 6GB 192-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready ATX Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814137040

$389.00 EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition, 08G-P4-5173-KR, 8GB GDDR5, LED, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16814487265

Windows 7 64bit
(H220 liquid cooled mobo and CPU)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 500, MSI z97 MPower MAX AC, 16GB RAM 8x2, (G-Skill Ripjaws 2400Mhz), Corsair 1000w PSU, i7 4790K Devils Canyon, MSI R HD7970BE GPU, (1) Crucial MX200 500gb SSD OS Drive, (1) Crucial MX100 500gb SSD, (1) Samsung 840 EVO Pro 500GB SSD, (1) Plextor 256GB SSD, (1) Seagate MomentusX 1TB SSHD eSATA,
 
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#4 ·
Yes, after spending WAY too much time on this, everything I've read and everyone I spoke with agree that the 1070 is worth the extra money. I was able to get a new one from $343.00 USD TT&L, (free shipping too).

I bought an MSI Geforce GTX 1070 Armor. It doesn't have a back plate and only one 8-pin connector but no matter how hard I tried, I could find anyone who said the Armor couldn't hit the same speeds when OC'd as the Gaming X or Z can get to.

For that reason and the fact that the lowest price I could find on the X or Z was nearly $60.00 more, I took the armor. I was surprised that there's only 3 cards that offer a 2-position bios switch, (like my 7970). All three are EVGA and frankly, had I known that before I bought the MSI, I may have bought one of those 3 EVGA's, (I could have got them for about the same price).

BTW: I was going to try that Nvidia GPU Boost 3.0 software, is it worth trying out? I presently have the MSI Afterburner but I've been hearing alot about the Nvidia software and wonder if it may be a good program to try out.

My "quest" is over!
thumb.gif

Thanks again to all!

Rich
 
#6 ·
Yes, I'll likely OC the card to at least the speed that the factory overclocked versions are running at. From what I read, they don't have much headroom beyond that so I'll probably stay at those speeds once I hit them.
Thank you,
Rich
 
#8 ·
Well, due to a "purchase security check" error, Jet.com cancelled my order for the MSI 1070 this morning. I called and straightened the issue and because the order is cancelled, I had to reorder it.

However, that worked out great because it was only after I ordered the MSI card yesterday, that I found out there were actually THREE 1070's available, which included a dual bios chip (at roughly the same price)!

I really preferred having that option even though some people find it to be a "moot-point". I'm not sure why they do but for me, it's a strong point.

That same option is in my 7970 card and it saved my butt when I screwed up a bios flashing procedure on that card about a year ago.
At the time, I thought it was just a "bell & whistle" to let you have access to 2 different bios versions, quick and easy. I didn't know the significance of the switch's 'other purpose' until that screw-up.

So I like that bit of safety and I when I reordered, I got the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 FTW DT GAMING ACX 3.0, 8GB GDDR5 for about $30.00 more.

Out of the box, it's about .063Mhz slower than the MSI (the MSI Armor's Boost clock is 1746Mhz and the EVGA's is 1683Mhz), but they both have the same 'Cuda Core' speed of 1920, (as does all these versions of the 1070 from what I can see).

But it'll clock up and match the factory OCs easy enough. So I got a reprieve (from my POV), on that order and a chance to fix it! It'll be here Thursday.
Thanks to all!
Rich
 
#10 ·
Good choice. since you said you like your Flight Sims, they can be very demanding, especially with mods ive heard. They also overclock fairly well especially on the memory side.
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChronoBodi View Post

you can buy my G1 980 Ti for $300 if you want, beats a 1070 at its stable 1450 mhs boost clock. If you want.
Thanks, but as I said, I've already ordered the EVGA 1070. I thought the 980 Ti was stronger than the 1070 also, but in my hours of research, I surprised to find it continually fell short of the 1070 in the various reviews and assessments I came upon (but not by any significant amount).

Of course, the results of one don't mean it's the same for all. Also, they were comparing about 15 cards (from the R 480 to the GTX 1080 span), using a number of popular video games.

I prefer those type of tests and results because it's closer to real-world than benching.

If I get a chance, I'll find those reviews and test results. I know one of them was from guru3d.com but I saw several others that were even more detailed, (but I can't recall who they were at the moment).
Thanks,
Rich
POS for $300, you shouldn't have any trouble selling it if it's in good shape and not hit too hard.
 
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