Should I upgrade my CPU/Motherboard?

lhaygood1983 · Oct 12, 2014

Here are my current specs:

Intel Core i5-3570K clocked at 4.2
ASRock Z77 Extreme 4
8GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3-1600 RAM
2x EVGA GTX 980 SC in SLI
Corsair Air 540 case
Corsair AX860 PSU

In a few days, I'll be near a Microcenter, which is known for their excellent CPU/motherboard combo deals. Is it worth it to stop in and buy an X99, 5820K, and associated RAM? What about if I were to just get a 4790K and a Z97, and either double my existing RAM or just use my existing RAM?

I'm also considering getting a third 980 once they're back in stock.

AndrewCarter · Oct 12, 2014

8gigs of ram is perfect, if you're just gaming. 980 SLI will suit your needs.. also X99 would not worth it for now so go for Z97, I own a 4790k myself and it can beat 5820k so easy.

rolli59 · Oct 12, 2014

Anything it can not handle? Looks good to me if you have the resolution so the SLI setup can stretch its legs.

baazing · Oct 12, 2014

The main reason I would tell you not to do that is because ddr4 prices are still pretty ridiculous right now. It would waste any money you saved on the motherboard combo. So unless money is no concern, and considering that you're using a still very relavent ivy bridge cpu, I'd say to stick it out at least until Broadwell/Skylake. Of course if you're going to pick up a 3rd 980 then all that is moot as you'll need the 5820k's extra pcie lanes.

lhaygood1983 · Oct 12, 2014

baazing :

The memory cost was the only thing stopping me, as there's not that much difference between a high-end Z97 and a decent X99 at this point.

My monitor setup is 3x AOC G2460Pg (G-Sync) monitors. I try to game at 5760x1080 only in games that really support it well, so it's either 1920x1080/144hz or 5760x1080. I feel like I'm probably not pushing those 980s to their limit because my current motherboard is x8/x8. I am considering triple SLI in the future once 980s are back in stock, but that's of less concern to me at the moment. Perfectly fine with waiting until Skylake.

rolli59 · Oct 12, 2014

lhaygood1983 :

baazing :

The memory cost was the only thing stopping me, as there's not that much difference between a high-end Z97 and a decent X99 at this point.

My monitor setup is 3x AOC G2460Pg (G-Sync) monitors. I try to game at 5760x1080 only in games that really support it well, so it's either 1920x1080/144hz or 5760x1080. I feel like I'm probably not pushing those 980s to their limit because my current motherboard is x8/x8. I am considering triple SLI in the future once 980s are back in stock, but that's of less concern to me at the moment. Perfectly fine with waiting until Skylake.

Since your setup is PCIe 3.0 there is only 1-2% difference on the SLI setup in X8 X8 or X16 X16 http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Intel/Ivy_Bridge_PCI-Express_Scaling/23.html

baazing · Oct 12, 2014

lhaygood1983 :

The 980's are most definitely not hindered by pcie 3.0 x8. I've seen quite a few reviews on the subject and most of them say as long as you have at least pcie 2.0 x8 you'll see very minimal (1%-5%) performance hits. If you have pcie 2.0 x16 or pcie 3.0 x8 you're not only okay for now you're also a bit future proof. Also, if my old i7 920 hadn't been causing blue screens, I probably would've waited for skylake to upgrade too

lhaygood1983 · Oct 12, 2014

rolli59 :

Well and good, then. I'll just see about dumping a little extra OC into my CPU until Skylake. Thank you.

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