Will the GTX970m be future proof enough in 2016?

Well it seems like the GTX970m has been around for quite some time now, and I'm wondering if this thing is aging a little bit, and if it's wise to get a laptop with it right now. I'm budget minded and think the 970m is my best bet. I don't want to go with the 960m...I had the G46vw with the 760m I think it was and it did fine, but certainly was really starting to show it's age.

A gaming laptop with a GTX970m runs about $1000, and the GTX980m jumps to a whopping $1500-2000. You guys think if I get a GTX970m laptop paired with a 4720hq...it will last me for a few years? From benchmarks I've seen it can handle most at ultra at 1080p or ultra with some settings turned down a little bit.

Is the 970m going to be that much better than the 960m? Because if it's not I would opt for the 960m if that's the case. I've seen benchmarks between the 970m and 980m. It seems to be about a 10-20fps gain on the 980m.

 

you'll see a big jump from the 760m to the 970m for sure. the 980m still has the edge on all of them.

 

The 970M will be good enough through 2016 with the exception of VR and many games won't run on Ultra settings but a mix of Medium/High depending on how optimized the game is (I have games that I can't max out on my 4940MX w/ 980M SLI)

 

Slightly off topics, what games are those?

 

Well they *STILL* never fixed Watch Dogs so that's one of them, Witcher 3 won't maintain a smooth 60FPS if Hairworks is turned on, Square Enix games are an absolute mess with any settings tweaked, Shadow of Mordor was giving me issues but that appears to have been driver-related because it flies now. Anything by Ubisoft is a mess and Batman Arkham Knight was a mess last time I tried it... I'd have to think about more examples.

 

Cool. So is my thinking that the 970m with only 3GB of ram is more than enough for 1080p gaming, or is there an instance where 3GB vram is not enough these days at 1080p?

 

3GB should be plenty for 1080p gaming on the 970m. It's bandwidth isn't high enough to merit much more anyhow. You hear people showing vRAM usage in games, but that means squat. I've seen same performance from a 3GB 970m vs 6GB 970m. Future games? Dunno, but still shouldn't be an issue. A select few games will lock you out of higher detail features if you don't have enough vRAM though. Although just because you have 6GB doesn't mean the 970m can handle it either.

 

Probably need to define what 'enough' is for you. Are you happy with 30fps or are you shooting for 60fps? That makes all the difference.

 

Oh yeah watchdogs and the texture fiasco. Witcher 3 is given. If a ubisoft cant be maxed, its purely horrible optimization. I am not familiar with shadow of mordor.

Just in my experience with my 980m SLI I can max out most game with no issue.

 

Get the 6GB 970M. Save yourself some headaches from when the next big unoptimized console port gets released. My 3GB 780 Ti struggles with a number of games because the framebuffer is too small so I'm forced to reduce texture quality.

Yeah the examples are few and far between for sure but what annoys me is its always the games I really want to play that either come with no SLI profile or other issues... So I've started buying them for my consoles again. :/

 

I know but all the GTX970m 6GB options are over $1500. Seen any around 1k? Seems like Alienware and other brands have the 970m 3gb for around 1k.

Of course I'd like 60fps at 1080p

 

How much do you care about AA on 1080p 15/17 inch?

 

I find 2xaa enough most of the time.

 

3GB is fine especially if 6GB is going to cost $500 more. 60fps at 1080p is easily achievable, some newer titles just require High instead of Ultra.

Some games are unoptimized junk, but a 980M won't save you either.

Deferred AA techniques like TAA and FXAA don't have the same VRAM requirements and reduce performance like MSAA. Using those he'll be fine. TXAA is a good alternative to 4X MSAA as well.

MSAA isn't practical on mobile hardware imo.

 

Brute force is about the only way to save yourself from unoptimized garbage.

Most mobile cards have too much VRAM compared to its actual computing power. I have difficulty using all 8GB of VRAM on 980m SLI setup.

You can probably get away with it for the next year on 1080p as long you dont go nuts with AA/features.

Just dont expect to run fallout 4 on ultra with a bunch of texture mods scaled to 4k or something.

 

I have found the below reference as a good way to compare video cards performance on various games. You can look at how the 970m handles some of the more challenging games. Click on the below link and select the video cards that you want to compare. The go up to the box that says "Restrict" and click that. It takes a while to reset so be patient (unless you are on a blazingly fast connection). http://www.notebookcheck.net/Computer-Games-on-Laptop-Graphic-Cards.13849.0.html

 

That was really helpful. I'm pretty impressed with the 970m given that chart. I think the 970m is definitely enough for my needs. I wonder if it's safe to assume that this is the kind of performance I can expect until the next gen consoles come out.

Nope won't be going 4k. My external monitor is going to only be 1080p as well. 1080p is enough for me for now. Probably going to be playing Arma 3, and other triple A titles in that chart waynewww posted. So looks like the 970m 3gb is perfect for me right now.

 

overclocking will make it better

 

Can you wait another 6 months? Aren't Pascal laptops coming around June?

 

Yeah its just marketing imo . I was using 2GB GTX 680s in SLI when people had 8GB 880Ms. It's pretty ridiculous. 2GB isn't enough anymore but 3/4GB is perfectly fine at 1080p.

 

Yes but then you're overlooking the fact that if you care at all about GPU upgrades in your laptop, you would want a 9GB 970m because that means it's likely going to be an MXM GPU slot which means you can upgrade your GPU in the future and not have to buy a whole new laptop.

 

i_pk_pjers_i quoted.............." means it's likely going to be an MXM GPU slot which means you can upgrade your GPU in the future and not have to buy a whole new laptop. "

OK, nubie question time ,........ I've recently read a gaming machine should have its GPU, CPU? repasted annually or so to keep a maximum cooling effect. Is this just not possible with the soldered designs?
Thankx

 

It's possible with soldered designs but you won't be able to upgrade soldered laptops for the most part.

 

What games are those?

 

Final Fantasy VIII, XIII, and XIII-2. I use mods to play VII so it runs fine. I don't play XIV and for some reason, The Last Remnant is the only SE game that actually works right albeit with a crash here and there in the beginning.

XIII-2 is so bad that it generates a TDR basically every new area you go into.

 

Lol, I totally forgot those existed. When people talk about SE I automatically imagine TR/DE/SD, I don't even think about FF.

Just wonder what OP plans to do after 2016. 970m will definitely last through 2016 and up, but maybe he should wait for Pascal.
I know, it sounds like chicken and egg story, but by doing so he can save up additional $500. See what Pascal has to offer, if nothing interesting, there will still be 970m rigs available. Actually, he might even be able to grab one with 980m.

 

I forgot about TR. No real issues with that one.

I agree on waiting for Pascal. Buying a system with a 3GB 970M means no chance of upgrading thanks to BGA (I'm sure there are exceptions to the 3GB = BGA rule somewhere)

 

There are, but 99% of the time, 3GB = BGA. There's a couple 3GB 970M MXM cards out in the wild but it's more rare than a unicorn.

 

The answer to the title is no. But it seems like you're comparing the 960M to the 970M in your post, and don't want to spend more money for the 980M. The fact of the matter is: all three of those cards will soon be replaced by their successor (e.g. 1060M). By "soon," I mean probably within the next 3-5 months.

If I were you, I would hold on to your current rig until May. By that time, we will know exactly what to expect from NVIDIA. Driver support for Pascal GPU's already exist. When this happens, we usually see performance leaks from China within a month or two. It's coming soon.

If your current rig dies, the 970M is a good choice. It offers a nice price : performance ratio.

 

I dont know anymore. The fact we are seeing massive amount of laptops with maxwell from CES is interesting.

 

Pascal isn't ready. What else are they supposed to present?

Probably just trying to move leftover parts. NVIDIA is not producing those cards on a large scale anymore. I'm 99% sure they shipped the last of the Maxwell GPU orders this past Q4. And Pascal is going to be MXM, so all they need to do is upgrade that one component in the system.

They have until May to sell their Maxwell stock.

 

Most of the laptop presented at CES are BGA. Lenovo is launching another gaming notebook with 980m in june.

The thing is, how not ready is nvidia?

If you read that detailed article on pascal mxm card in self driving cars, you will notice 2 pascal MXM have a power draw of around 250w, which is doable. However, there is a part saying that they are using custom liquid cooling.

Pascal may have horrible heat output issues on finfet like intel experienced. With the need of GPGPU functionality added in on what we presumed to be GP104, the dir may not be nearly as efficient as gm204.

Either way, we will see. I doubt the desktop card will be a problem but the mobile mxm version may not be ready so soon.

 

All of the products presented at CES were probably being produced in the summer (or late) 2015. It's not like they made them Jan. 1st and shipped them off to CES a few days later... So, the fact that Maxwell is in the "new products" honestly means nothing for internal hardware (CPU, GPU, RAM, etc.). All of that can be changed quite easily. The importance (or whole point) of CES is presenting what houses the internal components. You have to keep that in mind.

NVIDIA will most likely return to their old launch schedule (700 series). The desktop cards launched the day after Computex, and mobile launched soon after. They can't wait two entire fiscal years before launching new products. That leads to a big problem from the investment side.

 

We will see how soon the mxm card launches after computex but yeah, desktop in june sounds about right.

 

Not willing to spend more for the 980m. Going to stay at the 1k budget.

That's true, perhaps 980m options will go down in price. But I'm fine with going with what performs well now.

I really don't want to upgrade laptop GPUs. Laptop GPUs are ridiculously expensive buying them separately from my experience any way. Kind of a hassle to sell your old gpus, and buy the new gpus.

 

While that may be true, it's a hell of a lot cheaper than a brand new $2000-4000 laptop, especially if you can manage to sell your old laptop GPU. To me, the ability to upgrade a laptop is a necessity. It's well worth the $500-1000 versus $2000-4000 for a brand new laptop.

 

The idea is you sell your previous laptop to subsidize the new one. I buy the argument that MXM is useful for repairs, but I don't think it's useful at all for upgrading. You probably save more money by selling and buying a new laptop than you do buying a new GPU to stick in your old one, plus the advantages of a newer CPU and platform. Laptop GPUs are just silly expensive for what they are.

 

It's hella useful to be able to upgrade your GPU... How could it not be?
You can still sell your old GPU if you're talking about subsidizing costs. The option is still there to sell the whole machine. I know I'd rather buy a second hand machine that can be upgraded with a new lease of life than a second hand machine that can't.
The option to upgrade is a wonderful option to have. It's how a computer should be. I won't have it any other way.

 

Whatever you've been smoking - I want some.

You most definitely would not save more money by selling and buying a new laptop rather than selling and buying a new GPU. There's a reason why MXM GPU laptops are so desired by so many people. Plenty of people upgrade from 7970ms, 680ms, 780ms, etc to 980ms and that is MUCH cheaper than selling their laptop for MAYBE $1000 and shelling out another $1000-3000 for a new laptop. A new GPU is literally $500-1000 minus whatever you can get for your older GPU. There is NO way in hell that the price difference between a laptop so old that it's actually worth upgrading and a brand new laptop is only $500.

I'm sorry, but you are wrong - MXM is great for both repairing and for upgrading.

 

980M parts are minimum $1000 here, but mostly around $1100-1200. The next flagship card will be that price as well, if not more. Used 680M's sell for around $350, 7970M's a bit over $200.

Spending close to $1000 to upgrade from 7970M/680M -> 980M. Or I could sell my notebook and buy a new one, and get new EVERYTHING for a similar amount. MXM part prices are a joke sorry.

These numbers don't make any sense at all. Perhaps I should be asking what you are smoking. You are spending around an additional $1000 after selling your used laptop, perhaps a bit more. Why on earth would I instead go and spend that an MXM upgrade? Seriously. If I'm going to spend that much on a GPU alone, it had better be GM200 or a proper high end part.

The only time you'd spend $2000-3000 is if you are moving up from a lower end model to a very high end model. And who spends $4000 on a notebook anyway rofl.

 

I'd prefer the laptop to be MXM if possible just so that I have the option, but I really don't see myself upgrading for a long time any way. I use to like to try to keep up with tech, but would rather just invest a set amount, and just keep that product for a good 3 years, then upgrade.

Anyone able to compare the Dell 17 inch with gtx970m versus the Asus G751 gtx970m fan noise? I've read reviews that the 15 inch alienwares with gtx980m are near silent. I always thought Asus had an advantage in the cooling department. Trying to decide between those two. Obviously am a Asus fan but seems like Alienware might have superior build quality and better screen options.

 

Day 1 I bought a brand new 980m from Hidevolution for US$715 with 1 years warranty , got it shipped to me in Japan for an extra $20, then sold my 780m for US$350. That was about a $365 upgrade.. Seems pretty reasonable to me.

 

That is true TBoneSan! Prices are high but those of us upgrading can get money back selling the old part.

980M cost me US$500 and I will sell 680M for US$200 so total is US$300. Still if I were to buy a Alienware 15 is would cost more than double what I paid for the 980M lol and it is BGA crap

 

I would say it depends on how long you are planning on using your laptop. Sometimes buying new makes more sense than upgrading.
My M60J had MXM (though older version). Not sure would be wise to upgrade it.
I must say though, that having an option to upgrade option is always a huge plus. Now, does anyone wants to buy 240m? C'mon, don't be shy!

 

Cool, didn't know you were getting parts so overpriced but if your MXM GPUs are that overpriced, your Clevo laptops likely are as well. You don't HAVE to upgrade to a flagship card, you could upgrade to slightly below flagship. I'm saying, there is NO way the price difference for a BRAND NEW laptop versus a laptop that is so old it would actually be worth upgrading would only be $500-1000 like an MXM GPU upgrade would be. You're not taking the fact that used laptops sell for A LOT less into account.

Tones and tones of people here have upgraded their MXM GPUs and were perfectly happy in doing so, and did end up saving a lot of money by doing so. Also, there are quite a few people here who have spent over $4000 on their notebooks (at least, in the Clevo section that I'm quite active in).

There's a reason why people here are agreeing with me and not with you.. :/

MXM GPU slots make upgrading cheap, easy, and a smart thing to do.

 

Plenty of people are happy to ship internationally Sniffin. There is no way you couldnt find a good deal on a second hand card here on NBR from plenty of trustworthy people

For example I am selling my 680M for $200 and got my 980M for $500. Just have to look out of the box a bit..



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Where did you get a 980M so cheap?

 

Ah the good old NBR community of course

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For me, MXM is of more importance for flexibility in GPU offerings, since manufacturers are more likely to offer additional GPU options for a laptop by carrying additional GPU's than a larger number of variations of motherboards. With BGA you limit product offerings. That's why you end up with these ultrabooks where you need to buy a top end one just to get 512GB SSD because everything is soldered on. And also fewer choices in CPU's, amount of RAM, etc.

Additionally, MXM makes it cheaper to should you have an issue with your GPU or even another component. Otherwise you're stuck replacing the entire motherboard.

Ability to upgrade GPU is just an added bonus in eyes.

 

As I just upgraded my to 970M and after seeing how it performs in resource heavy 2015 games I think i can answer question in the title.
It is a fantastic card, fast and cool, and it`s more than enough for 2016 for 1080p resolution. Running all games on 1080p ultra/high settings (even max anti aliasing) with great framerates, I`m blown away by it. Highly recommended.