KM Just an update.
i reverted to Debian 8 and tried the older nVidia driver (367 I think) and still get some strain there.
To be honest I never really used this card much except for GPU accelerated computing (think password cracking and stuff) so I never really used it's display outputs until recently, just briefly to install an OS.
I am using an EVGA GTX 1070 reference edition purchased in July 2016.
I switched to a BenQ GW60HS (27" VA) to rule out monitor dithering as well.
I have a 560 i can swap with so i will try that tonight.
I could also a) Contact EVGA and warranty the card (Warranty is until 2019) or b) I noticed on NewEgg that some Nvidia Quadro cards from ~2015 are still being manufactured. Should figure out what generation they are from.