New Build - Just need your opinions!

[steeLh]

I always come here to finalize my build and get your suggestions/opinions before buying, so here I am again.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
-Above all, it's a gaming rig
-Live streaming
-Light editing and PS work
-Multitasking

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
-$1800-1900 USD

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
-USA

5. IF YOU have a brand preference.
-NVIDIA, Intel

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
-Using all my current peripherals, CD drive, two 1TB HDDs from current setup, as well as my two monitors (24" and 23")

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
-No plans to overclock, though I may in the future once I learn to

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?
-1920x1200

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
-There's really no rush, as soon as I finalize the build

*Note: I have two unopened 240gb SSD's from Black Friday - won't be buying addtional storage space

---------------------

So with that being said here's what I've pieced together to far.

CPU - Intel Core i7-4790K Haswell Quad-Core 4.0GHz

GPU - GTX 970 x 2 (SLI) I'm 100% set on EVGA, I just can't decide on which model to get, thoughts?

MOBO - ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 (currently using the Z77 and very happy with it)

PSU - Could use some suggestions, not sure what wattage I should be aiming for.

RAM - G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)

HDD - Will be swapping current HDD's into new system (Two 1TB drives)

SSD - Two 240gb SSD's, already purchased.

Case - NZXT Phantom 630 Windowed Edition

Don't think I'm missing anything, so let me know what you guys would add/change.

-Thanks

 

[Charlie98]

I like my EVGA GTX970SSC... but I would see what is on sale this week, personally.

Any reason why you are dumping that much money on a mobo?

Do you need an OS?

 

[steeLh]

Do you need an OS?

Yes! Totally forgot about that. Is win 7 still the way to go or is it preference at this point?

Also, a CPU cooler. Something quiet and effective.

 

[Ken g6]

-$1800-1900 USD

That's a lot! Especially considering all the hardware you're keeping. Compare, for instance, [post=37195339]this $2k build[/post], which includes a 1440p gaming monitor! I'm not saying that's the build you want or need at all; just that you have a budget that could support things like a higher-res monitor.

currently using the Z77 and very happy with it

With what processor? It might be more worthwhile to overclock that rather than upgrading your mobo/CPU/RAM. Unless your old machine's moving on elsewhere.

 

[mfenn]

CPU[/B] - Intel Core i7-4790K Haswell Quad-Core 4.0GHz

GPU - GTX 970 x 2 (SLI) I'm 100% set on EVGA, I just can't decide on which model to get, thoughts?

MOBO - ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 (currently using the Z77 and very happy with it)

PSU - Could use some suggestions, not sure what wattage I should be aiming for.

RAM - G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)

HDD - Will be swapping current HDD's into new system (Two 1TB drives)

SSD - Two 240gb SSD's, already purchased.

Case - NZXT Phantom 630 Windowed Edition

Don't think I'm missing anything, so let me know what you guys would add/change.

-Thanks

My thoughts:

- CPU: Good
- GPU: EVGA's aren't really the best GTX 970's (that honor belongs to the ASUS Strix), but if you must buy EVGA, then I would go for the standard ACX 2.0 version at $330. Overclocking them to be equivalent to the factory OC model is very simple.
- Mobo: The Sabertooth is ridiculously expensive for what it is. You can get a very nice board like the ASRock Z97X Killer for $117 AR right now
- PSU: An 850W unit would be very comfortable for GTX 970 SLI, even after overclocking. A 750W unit with the right PCIe connectors would actually work fine as well. The XFX Core 850W is based on the Seasonic S12II platform and is a good deal at $85 AR.
- RAM: Good
- Case: Good
- OS: The OS is personal preference, either Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 will be fine. IMHO, the DirectX 11.2 features in Windows 8.1 will not be utilized by games before Windows 10 comes out anyway.

 

[Charlie98]

- GPU: EVGA's aren't really the best GTX 970's (that honor belongs to the ASUS Strix), but if you must buy EVGA, then I would go for the standard ACX 2.0 version at $330. Overclocking them to be equivalent to the factory OC model is very simple.

Newegg has the SSC at $330 (AR) right now, would there be any reason to take the standard over the SSC, considering the OP doesn't plan to overclock?

 

[mfenn]

Newegg has the SSC at $330 (AR) right now, would there be any reason to take the standard over the SSC, considering the OP doesn't plan to overclock?

Other than not having to do the rebate, no.

 

[Valantar]

I think you should reconsider the RAM - 1600 cl9 isn't very good. Multi-GPU gaming sees significant gains from faster RAM. Find something that's at least 1866 cl8, but 2133 or 2400 cl9 would be better (and still not wildly overpriced).

See this for reference: http://www.anandtech.com/show/7364/memory-scaling-on-haswell/8

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I think you should reconsider the RAM - 1600 cl9 isn't very good. Multi-GPU gaming sees significant gains from faster RAM. Find something that's at least 1866 cl8, but 2133 or 2400 cl9 would be better (and still not wildly overpriced).

See this for reference: http://www.anandtech.com/show/7364/memory-scaling-on-haswell/8

Just to start where Valantar left off . .

With my wires crossed over my Z68 rigs, I was still thinking you should see of the DDR3-1866 G.SKILL modules would work, but it's an ASUS Intel "Z" motherboard, so I don't think they wouldn't be recommended by G.SKILL for any Z97 board by ASUS. Instead -- I'm with Valantar. The Z97 should benefit for RAM speeds in the low to mid DDR3-2000's. My older motherboards won't. That being said, look at the G.SKILL 2x8GB RipJaws X or Z models with the desired speed, lowest latencies and voltage.

On the 2x SLI'd GTX 970's. Those I have also, and with the frenzy going on in Video and Graphics" forum and around the world, you either have to love 'em or leave 'em. If I say "They're going to prove better than the expectations before or after" the 500MB deceptive-advertising law-suit free-for-all over at V&G, it's because I think so.

And I think you'll still find them 1440p or 4K -possible or -acceptable. Again, it's your choice (and mine), your budget, the 970 prices and features. Don't believe all the negative hype.

BUT -- instead of the eVGA's, take a look at the MSI GTX 970 Gaming and Gaming Golden. Those are the ones I got, and I looked at a lot of reviews. Just give them a look. Try and pick a brand with fewer customer complaints about "coil whine" or other aspects. I chose the MSI over the ASUS Strix because that same example of complaint was the deal-breaker.

On the RAM, I see now (looking back) that you had your eye on the Ripjaws X. I'd mentioned the "Z" Ripjaws, but as long as the G.SKILL configurator offers this or that model for your motherboard, you won't likely go wrong. And I'd go with the recommendation: see if you want to spend some extra change on a kit with speed >= 1866, and shop for low latency and low voltage.


Back to the 970's. I have a tech-support question pending with NVidia now with promising e-mail responses so far. I won't go into the details of it although I've posted about it recently -- it is only evident in SLI mode, is easily fixed in a current Windows session, and seems to reappear after a reboot or restart. Even Anandtech enthusiasts might have missed it thus far. It could be a combination of drivers and initializations at startup that causes it -- not related to nVidia and software driven. Or -- it's the driver. They'll fix it. Meanwhile, you're going to consume about 80W extra from the wall, and the cards will run a tad warmer in idle. And you can still fix it in the interim after boot-up in NV Control Panel to save the 80W and keep the GPUs between the high-20's and high 30's Celsius.

People will also tell you to get the Radeon . . . 280. . . . 290. I'm not going to get into a scuffle about that. I've been an NVidia user for a long time, and I expect I will continue on that path. No apologies. No embarrassments.

 

[mfenn]

I think you should reconsider the RAM - 1600 cl9 isn't very good. Multi-GPU gaming sees significant gains from faster RAM. Find something that's at least 1866 cl8, but 2133 or 2400 cl9 would be better (and still not wildly overpriced).

See this for reference: http://www.anandtech.com/show/7364/memory-scaling-on-haswell/8

I'm sorry, but those benchmarks don't really show anything about real-world use cases. They're conducted at minimum resolutions in order to remove all other bottlenecks. They're not relevant unless the OP plans to run his new machine at 1366x768. There's much less difference when running at realistic settings.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'm sorry, but those benchmarks don't really show anything about real-world use cases. They're conducted at minimum resolutions in order to remove all other bottlenecks. They're not relevant unless the OP plans to run his new machine at 1366x768. There's much less difference when running at realistic settings.

That may be true, but what are people using these days with the 4790K and Z97 board? I'd think if the price is X for DDR3-1600, and X+Y for DDR3-2133, the X is a base investment and the Y might be worth the extra RAM performance.

Of course, I'm running 4x4GB Corsair 1600's in one box, and 2x8GB G.SKILL 1866'ers in another. Both with the same timings, voltage and command-rate -- but at their stock, rated speeds. I honestly don't notice a difference. I've hardly thought about it since I tweaked, tuned and tested them.

I imagine that I notice a bigger difference for a command-rate of 1 versus 2 over tighter timings or OC'd speed. And I say "imagine."

 

[mfenn]

That may be true, but what are people using these days with the 4790K and Z97 board? I'd think if the price is X for DDR3-1600, and X+Y for DDR3-2133, the X is a base investment and the Y might be worth the extra RAM performance.

Given that spending $Y produces next to no benefit in realistic scenarios, its only worth it as $Y approaches zero. In other words there's nothing wrong with buying faster RAM, just don't pay extra for it (in terms of price or voltage).

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Given that spending $Y produces next to no benefit in realistic scenarios, its only worth it as $Y approaches zero. In other words there's nothing wrong with buying faster RAM, just don't pay extra for it (in terms of price or voltage).

No doubt about it: diminishing returns are part of the equation.

I guess the biggest problem for me as an obsessive enthusiast is the pace of progress and availability. If I built a rig in year 0 with 2x4GB, I might have upgraded it to 4x4 in year 2 with the same model and kit. All along -- I may have had a strong wish that someone would produce a 2x8GB kit -- perhaps with a higher speed and tighter timings. But it happens in year 2 or 3.

And it's also amazing how one can turn a troubleshooting exercise into a justification for "new stuff." But -- OK . . . . I've got parts to replace the fam-damn-ily's LGA-775 systems. And sooner or later, that needs to be done whether they like it or not . . .

 

[VirtualLarry]

And it's also amazing how one can turn a troubleshooting exercise into a justification for "new stuff." But -- OK . . . . I've got parts to replace the fam-damn-ily's LGA-775 systems. And sooner or later, that needs to be done whether they like it or not . . .

If you can hijack my thread, I'm going to hijack yours for a minute...

Are you planning on letting your family's 775 rigs "die", finally, as some critical part gives out (hopefully the HDDs / SSDs are backed up), and then replace them, or replace them pro-actively, as you can procure replacement parts, and convince them to upgrade?

Edit: I want to replace a relative's machine, in theory, but in practice, it's completely fine for their usage. I put in 16GB of RAM and an SSD. It's a socket 1155 though. Thought about upgrading their G1610 with an i3. But there's no reason to. Already upgraded their 1024x768 LCD with a 1920x1080 widescreen.

 

[mfenn]

If you can hijack my thread, I'm going to hijack yours for a minute...

To be clear, BonzaiDuck is not the OP.

mfenn
General Hardware Moderator