After price drop: Z97 vs Z170 for a new PC

hristan0v

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Apr 22, 2014
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Hello!

That question was asked before, but it was either several months ago, or the prices were very similar. Also, I want to ask a few more things. So the question is: Is 4790k still worth it for a new build, now that prices dropped so much? (I'm not from US, so the prices are very different)

Take a look at the parts (Red and black theme):
Z97 Option:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K
- MB: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-GAMING 7 / Gigabyte GA-Z97X-GAMING 5
- RAM: (Maybe even 2) Kingston HyperX Savage 16GB(2X8GB), DDR3, 1600mz
Z170 Option:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K
- MB: Gigabyte Z170X-GAMING 5 / Gigabyte Z170X-GAMING 3
- RAM: G.SKILL DDR4 4x4 3200 RipjawsV

Rest of the parts:
- GPU: Gigabyte 970 G1 Gaming 4GB
- SSD: ADATA Premier Pro SP920 256GB
- HDD: 3TB WD Black
- Case: Fractal Design DEFINE R5 Blackout Edition Window
- Cooling: Prolimatech Megahalems Red Series
- PSU: CoolerMaster V850 (Plan on doing SLI later)

Yes, 32GB are overkill for gaming, but I'm considering it as option, since the PC is going to be used also for heavy 3D and video editing as well as Unity and Unreal. The Z97 option, even with double the amount of ram, is a lot cheaper than the Z170 option. If I lower the ram to 16GB, and the motherboard to Z97X Gaming 5, the difference then becomes massive.

Sub-question: Are DDR3 users going to face problems in the future, now that DDR4 is taking it's place (Especially when I'm going to do a lot of 3D and video editing)?
Sub-question: With each platform, which of these motherboards will you choose?
Sub-question: Is 32GB RAM on the Z97 worth it for what I am going to use the PC?

And finally: Is it worth it? Should I save the money (or invest them in other parts like RAM) and go with the old platform, or the performance of Skylake is worth the money, and DDR3 users are going to have problems in the future, making Skylake the way to go? Thanks!