Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question

Worth it to go with x99 vs z97?

Tags:
  • Power Supplies
  • Intel i7
  • Intel i5
  • CPUs
  • Build
  • Go
  • Graphics Cards
  • Systems
Last response: in Systems
Share
October 8, 2014 12:35:25 PM

My question is that I'm building a new system in the next month or two and I wonder if it is worth going with a X99 vs X79 system

Here is my i7-5820k build: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Arreo/saved/krdG3C

And here is my i5-4690k build: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Arreo/saved/33TZxr

The obvious difference is with the ~$1600 budget if I go with the 4th gen i5 I can get two 970s where as if I go with the 5th gen i7 I can only get one.

I'm aiming for future proofing as much as possible. For example the computer I'm replacing has a first gen i7-960 that has served me damn well for the last 5 years. I've upgraded the video card twice, the RAM once and added an SSD since the computer was first built.

So I'm going for that similar sort of thing. I'd rather spend more money on expensive components that last a long time and can be upgraded as needed rather than cheap out and have to buy a whole new system every 2 years.

More about : worth x99 z97

October 8, 2014 12:44:12 PM

If you have these 2 choices then I would choose the X99 System 100%.
The GTX 970 is a great card and with this you can play all of your games for the next years.
And if your system is getting slow over lets say 2 years you can always put the 2nd GTX970 in your system.
Then the GTX 970 will be also alot cheaper :)  (Sorry for bad English, I`m Dutch)

Always take 1 videocard with a new system...always because then you can update cheap by puting a 2nd card.
If you take 2 cards with a new system it will cost you alot more if you want to update later on.
m
0
l
a b à CPUs
a b U Graphics card
October 8, 2014 12:51:05 PM

I'd disagree. With the X99 platform, you're paying a premium for bleeding-edge tech, that won't get any performance boost (in gaming). Unless this is going to be a workstation, it's not worth the money.

The Z97 i7-4790k crushes the new i7-5820k in most gaming benchmarks. You can use the money saved to bump the i5 to the i7-4790k (if you really think you'll need the extra virtual cores), and you can bump the 970 to 980! AND you can add a 2nd 980 in down the road.

The Z97 also has life left in it. It's supposed to be compatible with the next gen of Broadwell CPUs in early 2015.
m
0
l
Related resources
a b à CPUs
a b U Graphics card
October 8, 2014 12:55:19 PM

AKA:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($336.93 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($74.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($135.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($94.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($569.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.25 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1392.12
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-08 15:55 EDT-0400
m
0
l
a b ) Power supply
a c 85 à CPUs
a b U Graphics card
October 8, 2014 12:58:28 PM

I also agree that the X99 build is a vanity build, the cost of the memory is extraordinary at the moment. I'd go GTX980 + i7 4970K you get the advantages of HT, with the single card upgrade path. I'd suggest that the memory is still overpriced at $179, and not offering a lot of benefit.

I'd also get a beefier PSU, as while 970's in SLi will be fine, that may not be the case in 2-3 generations time, and sli 980's will be too tight in my opinion.
m
0
l
a b à CPUs
a b U Graphics card
October 8, 2014 12:59:04 PM

Crucial memory for reliability, and clearance under the giant Noctua. You could stick with your 16GB, but most games aren't using 8GB yet.

Case is up to you. PSU could probably be smaller, but I'm not sure 620W would cover 2 970s.
m
0
l
a b ) Power supply
a c 85 à CPUs
a b U Graphics card
October 8, 2014 1:02:34 PM

Rapajez said:
Crucial memory for reliability, and clearance under the giant Noctua. You could stick with your 16GB, but most games aren't using 8GB yet.

Case is up to you. PSU could probably be smaller, but I'm not sure 620W would cover 2 970s.


good build, can also now include a 4k screen almost, I'd suggest sticking at 750W, so that the 980 can be sli'd.
m
0
l
a c 156 ) Power supply
a c 363 à CPUs
a c 292 U Graphics card
October 8, 2014 1:08:15 PM

My assumption is that this is primarily a gaming rig.
If so, 4 faster cores is a better option and I would go with the Z97 based option.

However, I have a few issues with that build.

1. With that budget, buy a i7-4790K in stead. Your extra $100 buys you a better binned chip with hyperthreading that will run at 4.0/4.4 turbo at stock.
2. Unless you are gaming with a 4k monitor or triple monitors, I would buy a single GTX980 to start with.
It will run any game out there well. Pick a card with a blower cooler. They work better in a case for sli.
Look at the EVGA GTX980 superclock if you can find one.
3. The Seasonic 660w psu is outstanding, but only for a single card.
Dual cards will want 700w for GTX970 and 750w for dual GTX980
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm
Nothing wrong with overprovisioning a bit either, say to a 850w unit.
4. The noctua coolers are excellent and come with good paste; nothing extra is needed.
5. I like 16gb, particularly for a long term build. But, buy a low profile version that will not interfere with the cpu cooler.
6. Buy a case you love; bust your budget if you need to. You will be looking at it for a long time.
7. Use a SSD for the "C" drive. 240gb at least.
Intel and Samsung are my quality picks.
m
0
l
a b ) Power supply
a c 851 à CPUs
a c 77 U Graphics card
October 9, 2014 7:16:39 AM

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($164.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF XB EVO ATX Desktop Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($80.00 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1591.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-09 10:16 EDT-0400
m
0
l
a b à CPUs
a b U Graphics card
October 9, 2014 1:38:48 PM

I agree with Geofelt's suggestions; although I left out the SSD, as the OP said he already had one. If he wants to upgrade it, grab something from the Samsung 840 EVO series.

About Logain's build, unless you're doing 4K right now, I'd grab the 980, and add a 2nd when you need it. If you're never going 4k, you might just want a single 970 for now.

I also prefer a large, quiet air cooler to a CLC for 2 reasons 1.) It's usually quieter, once you take the CLC's radiator into account, and 2.) The CLC doesn't always cool the components around the CPU as well as a big air cooler. I will agree that they look cool, and can lead to stronger overclocks when combined with good case-cooling.
m
0
l
!