In the computer world, not all graphics cards are created equal. While there’s no question that RTX 3070 will work fine on a 1080p monitor, it might not be the best choice if you want to make the most out of your games and computer screen.
If you’re on the fence about what to get, here’s how to decide whether to go for a higher resolution or stick with 1080p monitors and what to get if you do decide to upgrade your monitor in the future.
Is 1080p Monitor Good for RTX 3070?
On the one hand, yes, 1080p is fine for RTX 3070. In fact, it’s perfectly usable for even the most powerful graphics cards, as long as you’re willing to turn down your game settings a little bit to get playable frame rates. On the other hand, if you can afford it, you can get more out of your RTX 3070 by upgrading to a 1440p or 4K display.
While it’s true that even the most powerful GPUs can’t really push a 1080p monitor beyond 60 frames per second, that doesn’t mean you can’t get more out of your system if you upgrade to a higher resolution. If you are really looking for a monitor for RTX 3070 GPU, don’t miss my dedicated article on it: Best Monitor for RTX 3070.
How Much FPS Can An RTX 3070 Run At 1080p?
To get an idea of the kind of frame rates you can expect to get with an RTX 3070 at 1080p, you can use a tool like FRAPS to benchmark the GPU.
For example, using this tool on a computer with the RTX 3070, a decent i7 8700 CPU, and 16GB of RAM, you can expect to get between 60-75 FPS on most games at 1080p low settings. That might seem like a low frame rate, but remember that you can always adjust the settings on your games to get a higher FPS.
And yes, you can even get over 100 FPS at 1080p with a powerful enough graphics card, but only if you turn down your graphics and resolution settings to a minimum.
How Many FPS Should I Get with RTX 3070?
As we mentioned earlier, you can expect to get between 60 FPS on most games at 1080p low settings with an RTX 3070. If you have a 75Hz monitor or are playing games on a stock 75Hz computer monitor, that’s going to feel very smooth and responsive, assuming you aren’t playing in a really crowded and competitive online environment where every second counts.
If you have a 144Hz monitor, however, you’re likely to notice a huge difference between 60 and 100 FPS when playing games. At the very least, you’ll start to notice the input lag of a 60Hz monitor or the in-game animation lagging behind your mouse movement. However, if you want to get the most out of your computer and your RTX 3070, you should aim for at least 100 FPS on average.
Tip: Make sure to turn down the graphics settings on your games so that you stay above that FPS threshold and if you have a 144Hz monitor, try to shoot for at least 120 FPS.
Is 1080p Still Good for Gaming?
Well, that depends on what you hope to get from your video game. With an RTX 3070, you’re probably going to struggle to truly take advantage of a 4K or 1440p monitor unless you’re willing and able to turn down the graphics settings on your games to a minimum.
That’s no bueno if you’re hoping to get the most out of your computer and games at their highest settings. If, on the other hand, you’re mainly looking to get a smoother and more responsive experience out of your games, then a 1080p monitor is a perfectly good choice. You can even get a high-refresh-rate monitor if you want to take your gaming experience to the next level.
How Can I Improve My 3070 Performance?
- First of all, make sure that your computer is running a clean operating system as well as the most up-to-date drivers.
- Make sure that your computer is well-ventilated and that there’s enough room for air to flow through your computer case. You might want to spend extra money if you’re utilizing the default CPU cooling.
- You can always try overclocking your RTX 3070. That’s a bit more advanced, but with a few quick and easy changes to your computer settings, you can give your graphics card a performance boost.
My Personal Experience with 1080p Monitor and RTX 3070 GPU
I started gaming on a 1080p monitor with a GTX 1080 and an i7 2600 CPU. I was able to run most games on high or even ultra settings and still get above 100 FPS. I was happy with the result, and I didn’t feel the need to upgrade to a 1440p or 4K monitor at the time.
After a few years, I upgraded my CPU to an i9 9900K and swapped my GTX 1080 for an RTX 3070. The performance difference was noticeable, but I still got above 100 FPS, and I was able to run most games on high settings.
I was satisfied with the result, but once I got a chance to try a 144Hz monitor with a more powerful GPU, it was hard to go back. Now I can easily max out the graphics settings on most games, and I really enjoy the experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does RTX 3070 Consume?
The RTX 3070 uses 80W of energy under full load, which is a little less than the GTX 1060 6GB, which uses 90W under full load. The RTX 2070, on the other hand, uses around 90W under full load, and the RTX 2080 uses even more at around 130W.
Can HDMI Run 144Hz 1080p?
HDMI is a digital standard, which means that it can’t run analog. That is not to say, however, that HDMI cannot support 1080p at all.
In actuality, you can connect your RTX 3070 to a 1080p 144Hz display with an HDMI connection. Simply ensure that both your computer and display support this capability.
Which GPU For 1080p 144Hz?
There are a few things to consider when choosing a GPU for 1080p 144Hz gaming.
Firstly, what is your budget?
Secondly, what games do you want to play?
Thirdly, what other hardware are you using?
If you have a tight budget, you should concentrate on obtaining the most value for your money. The Nvidia GTX 1060 and the AMD RX 480 are both excellent choices.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to upgrade your GPU but you aren’t sure if you should go for a 1080p or a 1440p or 4K monitor, then you should consider the following factors:
- What is your budget?
- How powerful do you want your computer to be?
- How powerful do you want your monitor to be?
If you want a powerful computer and a high-end monitor, you should go for a more powerful graphics card. That’s it!