VPX in 4K 144Hz - what graphics card do I really need?

[Mopple]

 

Dear gentle readers,

 

I've heard so much about 144Hz being a difference like day and night to 60Hz so a new 42 inch monitor is on the way.

 

But after searching Google up and down I still can't find a definitive answer to the most important question probably: What graphics card do you need for playing VPX in 4K and, from what I read, at least getting close to 144Hz frame rate?

 

The Alpha and Omega, the paramount thing for me in playing Virtual Pinball is a completely smooth, stutter-free realistic ball movement and also lag-free flippers. Any DOF effects or fancy LED strips are secondary to me.

 

I guess playing Virtual Pinball, where the only moving things on the screen are more or less only the flippers and the ball with almost everything else just a static and blinking playfield, can't be compared to playing a modern shooter or open world game where your surroundings, buildings, player movements etc. constantly change like 360° in all visible directions. I've been reading through a lot of forum posts (reddit etc.) but I'm non the wiser since most people compare graphics cards only when talking about shooters and not Virtual Pinball.

 

So: Would this card be able to handle 4K, 144Hz?:

GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB:
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/product/B0CC33B3PZ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3JWKAKR8XB7XF&psc=1

 

A smaller model:

 

GeForce RTX 4060 Ventus 2X Black 8GB
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/product/B0C7W8GZMJ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A3JWKAKR8XB7XF&psc=1

 

I read that 16GB RAM would be essential to approach the 144Hz as opposed to only 8GB. Can you confirm that?

 

So please, how much would you say I have to shell out for being able to play "Monster Bash" or "TOTAN" smoothly, stutter- and lag-free?

Thanks so much in advance!

 

Edited September 22, 2024 by Mopple

[Rappelbox]

I'd reccomend nothing less than a RTX 4070 (Super) or if you don't mind buying previous generation RTX 3080

 

[Mopple]

Since I have to discuss this with my wife too  ( 🙂 ) what would you say how far a GTX 4060 would take me?

 

I also read that aiming for 4K is not as important for smooth gameplay as high frame rates. Can you confirm that?

 

NB:

*****

Na, da bin ich ja zumindest nicht alleine aus Deutschland! 🙂 Sollten aber zum Wohle aller wohl weiter auf Englisch posten... (obwohl ich auch nichts dagegen hätte, mit einem echten Profi die eine oder andere Sache zum Thema VP mal einfach in der Muttersprache kurz ansprechen zu können). Hätte da die eine oder andere Frage...

*****

[Rappelbox]

on most tables a rtx 4060 ti will do fine. there are a few exceptions that will run slower, but still above 60 fps mark.

 

 

Frag' gerne nach wenn du was wissen möchtest

 

 

 

[MauiPunter]

I'm running 4070ti and everything is smooth as butter at 4k@120hz.  No ball or flipper lag.

[Mopple]

So this also means no flipper lag?

[Rappelbox]

Flipper lag depends on MANY small things, not only the GFX card.
Input controller -> System (CPU, RAM) -> GFX Card -> Monitor

If you rely on current generation hardware you shouldn't be worried much about that... until we old farts notice the ball moving, it's waaaay gone

[Mopple]

Most interesting...:

*At the moment I run a GTX 1660 Super (which I bought years ago already but from what I read is still quite a capable card).

 

*Today my new 43 inch gaming monitor arrived, a Samsung Odyssey Neo G70C with 4K and 144 Hz. (Super Amazon deal for 600 EUR!): https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BQWH7J9S?psc=1

 

*Connection is DisplayPort 1.4 with an 8K certified cable - are the cables really the most overlooked and neglected component of VP builds?

 

*In VPX 10.8, I tried out some classic titles like STTNG, NBA Fastbreak, Medieval Madness, TOTAN and also TNA (Pup Pack option 2, all on the backglass), and what do you know: No flipper lag whatsoever! (on my old 60Hz TV it was clearly noticeable). Also smooth and realistic ball movement with no apparent stutter of any kind.

 

Since I'm still in the process of rebuilding the whole cabinet I use a keyboard with a very long USB extension cable at the moment. When I'm hopefully back to my leaf switches soon, the instantaneous flipper movement when pushing the cabinet buttons should be even better.

 

*Anti-Alias is "Standard", Exclusive Fullscreen is "On", "Frame Pacing" for sync is activated, the graphics "detail level" is turned down to minimum (slider to the left), no ball trail etc. - but the 4K playfields still look excellent IMHO... Is it really that big a difference with "detail level" all the way to the right?

 

---> *But answer me this: Pushing F11 during gameplay brings up the frame rate and latency meter, and while the latency on all games is around 2.5ms, I get frame rates of about 170 to 190!!? How is that possible? I checked with different tables mentioned above.

 

*The bottom line is: For now I will pass on a new graphics card and see what my old 1660 SUPER can still put on the road.

 

I would love to read about your experiences and setups. Thanks for reading!

Edited August 7, 2024 by Mopple

[shillbort]

Thank you for the info. I'm almost done building my new vpin with a 42" 4k 138hz oled monitor but I was hoping my old pc with a 1660 super would be good enough to enjoy my vpin until black friday when I'll be able to afford a new one. It will also give me a good idea of which new graphics card I'll need to run vpx.  Good news for me. 

 

Edited September 6, 2024 by shillbort

[Fwiler]

I found a 3070 was the minimum for me.  Running newer tables with pup packs.

Other screens can matter.  I'm using 1080p for backglass and only 1366 x 768 for dmd.

If for instance if you happen to have a 4k screen for backglass, then video card memory and bandwidth becomes even more important.

 

[Energetics]

I do run a 3060ti and most table on my 3 screen 4k/1080/1080 cabinet run smooth..but new stuff has ball stutter sometimes with the recommended settings.

Also at 120hz at 4k and some latency around 2,8 with F11

 

Now I too am looking into the 4070 super and plan to replace my gaming PCs 4080 super with the 5090....maybe go straight with the 4080s in the cabinet when it comes out?

Hate nothing more when my flip-timing is off due to rare but momentary erratic ball movements.

Edited November 28, 2024 by Energetics

[darrinbrewer]

ive built 30+ cabs, and a 3060 ti or 4060 works for 3 screen 4k PF, a 1080 BG, and a 1366x768 dmd

 

I dont have a 144hz screen to try, but the consensus is a 4070 super, is whats needed for 120/144 hz 4k playfield.