What graphics card for 4k?

Crank Larson · Jul 19, 2017

Mad Mike said:
i dunno, i think there is nothing wrong with bringing back an old thread if it is on point.. .as this one is.

Agreed. It's more annoying having lots of pointless memes discussing the resurrection...

My 980Ti handles two 4k monitors fine, so two of them should handle 4. Never tried more than two, and for everyday use I prefer 1080p monitors (including for E: D which is on a 1080p projector). I've never tried E: D playing on more than one monitor, though - 3D over 4x4k monitors it likely to be a little GPU intensive...

Zambrick · Jul 19, 2017

Telnets said:
its really not worth putting up with the UI problems in windows.. unless you like micro text in everything other then gaming..

Windows has a scaling function built into display. You can increase over all size of the windows UI so you can read it. Once you can read and see whats on the screen log off and log back on and the pop up tool tips will be vieable.

The only thing you would have a problem with are applications that hard codes the resolution and pixel size instead of using Windows as normal. A good example of bad windows coding is Voice Attack. It has 0 ability to scale and is resolution/pixel locked to a specific setting.

admiral_Marith · Jul 19, 2017

Jon flint said:
Something like a gtx1070 will just barely keep 4K 60fps on ultra settings so I'd probably concider that the minimum for a viable 4k experience. You'll find anything down on planet's to be the most taxing on the GPU, so if you don't want horizons you could probably go for a lower spec card for 4k.

*Dammit, didn't see the necro..... disregard the above.*

Since I don't run ED on more than one screen, I think that would probaby be fine. Maybe two of them just to be certain.

I have 4 4k monitors because I like all my screens to be the same resolution. Is it excessive? Yes. Did it keep my ex wife from getting any cash in the divorce? Yes, yes it did.

Syntherios · Jul 19, 2017

I run 4k with a GTX 1080 and get a pretty steady 60 fps most of the time; the exceptions being station approach (it hovers around 50-55 fps until everything loads in) and when on a planet surface (40-45 fps; I usually drop the res to 1440p just so it's not so stuttery when driving the SRV). This is with everything is set to Ultra and no AA or supersampling.

admiral_Marith said:
I have 4 4k monitors because I like all my screens to be the same resolution. Is it excessive? Yes. Did it keep my ex wife from getting any cash in the divorce? Yes, yes it did.

Ha!

Heavenly-Hammer · Jul 19, 2017

4K = 1080p + 2x supersampling, correct?

980ti and up can do that. As I recall my 970 used to struggle for anything near that.

Aashenfox · Jul 19, 2017

4k isn't going to be really mainstream still for a few years, you are just taxing your gfx card for no reason. 2k will continue to be the sweet spot for some time yet. Whatever you get, 2k or 4k, make sure it has adaptive sync (gsync for nvidia or freesync for ATI) and at least 144hz. A 2k 144hz monitor will enhance your gaming experience, a 60hz 4k will not, but if you can afford a 144hz 4k monitor and the graphics power needed to run it, more power to ya.

The point here is that anyone who seriously cares about their gaming, NEEDS a 144hz adaptive sync monitor, to invest in an upgrade and not do that, is to throw away your money on something not significantly different to what you had. It not only transforms your gaming and gives the impression of a 30% increase in graphics power (due to no vsync issues or tearing, and ZERO input lag), it also makes everything you do on the pc seem like sipping Bailey's it'll be so smooth. You can read web pages while scrolling, it really is nuts. Everyone who sees my rig is blown away not by the FPS, but the smoothness with which they are delivered. And I have one of the cheapest gsync monitors out there.

DefiledDragon · Jul 19, 2017

smartroad said:
I was wondering what graphics cards people are using for 4k with Elite? I have been looking for an excuse to get a 4k monitor but will need to improve my AMD 7850 card! I'd prefer an AMD but open to all

I run at 4k (or I did until the galaxy map bug) on a single GTX1080 FTW. I get around 120+ fps in space and around 70-90 in stations and on planets, occasionally it will dip into the mid 60's in stations. If those are acceptable framerates to you, there's your answer

CMDR Corlas · Jul 19, 2017

One thing worth noting here, if you're using HDMI to connect to your monitor, is HDMI vs HDMI 2.0.

Standard HDMI only has the bandwidth to run 4k at 30Hz, so no matter what you get a max of 30FPS, simply based on the cable.

If you want to run 4k over HDMI, you need a videocard that has a native HDMI 2.0 output, an HDMI 2.0 cable, and be sure to connect to the HDMI 2.0 port on your 4k display. (some 4k TV's have a single 2.0 port and a bunch of vanilla HDMI ports) Even then HDMI 2.0 is locked to 60Hz, so you get a max of 60fps.

admiral_Marith · Jul 20, 2017

CMDR Corlas said:
One thing worth noting here, if you're using HDMI to connect to your monitor, is HDMI vs HDMI 2.0.

Standard HDMI only has the bandwidth to run 4k at 30Hz, so no matter what you get a max of 30FPS, simply based on the cable.

If you want to run 4k over HDMI, you need a videocard that has a native HDMI 2.0 output, an HDMI 2.0 cable, and be sure to connect to the HDMI 2.0 port on your 4k display. (some 4k TV's have a single 2.0 port and a bunch of vanilla HDMI ports) Even then HDMI 2.0 is locked to 60Hz, so you get a max of 60fps.

I have two DisplayPort cables coming tomorrow. Right now feeding the 4 LG 34 inch 4 K HDMI signals form DVI-D port, HDMI port and 2 display ports using a DisplayPort to DVI adaptor. (Because I had them on hand). In theory this should increase my frame rate if what I am reading about the differences is correct. While the card might be HDMI 2.0, the cable isn't and the monitors are circa 2015 so probably not there either. 30 FPS is the max I've seen it drive the game.

Vacendak · Jul 20, 2017

I run a GTX 1080 at 3840x2160 on an LG 49" 4k UHD screen. I get a solid 60fps everywhere except inside large stations where its drops to around 40-50. Adding additional monitors however, is a sizable FPS impact.

NW3 · Jul 20, 2017

You don't need to use 2 cards. I have a 4K monitor and a slightly overclocked MSI GTX 980 Ti. It's fine for ED, although the framerate is a bit slow inside stations, but it's not really an issue.

I have my game quality set to Ultra. Do not set an in-game framerate limit and do not enable V-Sync. Instead, in GeForce settings panel, set the V-Sync to Fast (assuming you don't have a GSync monitor). That will give near-GSync framerates, with NO tearing. I would think that a GTX 1080 would also work well. A GTX 1080 Ti would be even better, but they are quite expensive. I'm not sure about the 1070, but it might be acceptable.

Use a Display Port Dual Link cable, to ensure you are running the monitor at 60Hz instead of 30Hz (the standard HDMI cable refresh rate).

Windows 10 does a pretty good job with the GUI on a 4K monitor. Go to the Display control panel and set the Scaling to 200%. Most apps will work fine, but a few may have some tiny text.

These days I'm actually playing ED using a 1080p 3D monitor with NVidia LCD shutter glasses with in-game super-sampling set to 1.5x and it runs well, again with some slowdowns inside stations. Due to rendering left and right eye images, the effective resolution is 5760 x 1620.

Bladefeather · Jul 20, 2017

I am running a GTX 1080 and it can easily run 4K, just not with things like EDFX. You should bee fine with something like a 970 though.

Kaltern · Jul 20, 2017

Slight on topic, is there any appreciable difference between DSR and in-game upscaling?

BigBANGtheory [VR] · Jul 20, 2017

Angine said:
This is absolutely not true. Tried it myself with an overclocked 970 - max 20-30 FPS in stations.
There is no single gpu graphics card that can handle 4k in modern games. Period.

I have a 980Ti overclocked and it runs 4K@60fps pretty much all the time. You might have to tone down the odd setting and you don't really need AA with 4K so as long as you aren't into competition twitch shooters you'll be fine.

I wouldn't buy a new GPU for a few weeks anyhow the AMD RX Vega is being revealed end of July and is likely to effect the high end to some degree.

Heavenly-Hammer · Jul 20, 2017

BigBANGtheory said:
I have a 980Ti overclocked and it runs 4K@60fps pretty much all the time. You might have to tone down the odd setting and you don't really need AA with 4K so as long as you aren't into competition twitch shooters you'll be fine.

I wouldn't buy a new GPU for a few weeks anyhow the AMD RX Vega is being revealed end of July and is likely to effect the high end to some degree.

uhh....

you should look at the posting dates of the posts you're replying to next time.

Quantis Trap · Jul 20, 2017

I play in 4k all the time with the nVidia 1070 and 4k screen in my gaming laptop.

Elite Dangerous works with max settings getting a smooth framerate in 4k but, for me, it has mouse pointer issues in 4k where in many cases the mouse pointer does not point to what you're clicking.

Heavenly-Hammer · Jul 20, 2017

Yea okay. This thread should be locked. People don't seen to realize they're responding to a 3 year old thread. Why are necrobumps like this even permitted?

admiral_Marith · Jul 20, 2017

This thread became active when I asked a question, so in so far as it is relevant to my question it is an active thread and should not be locked IMHO.

ChrisT · Jul 20, 2017

A 1080ti would do you well for 4k. Elite, on a single monitor is not too demanding, a 1080 can handle it.

For VR, the demand is higher, and right now there is no card that delivers ED at 90fps, with good quality (IMHO). Anti aliasing being the bugbear.

The idea of a new 4K VR headset is exciting, but we would all need the card AFTER the next-gen to get decent perf on that (just thinking ahead...).

DefiledDragon · Jul 20, 2017

Heavenly-Hammer said:
Yea okay. This thread should be locked. People don't seen to realize they're responding to a 3 year old thread. Why are necrobumps like this even permitted?

Why do you even care?