$2000 X99 or Z97 Build?

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LucioSantella1

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Apr 23, 2014
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I have a $2000 Z97 build that I have been working on here it is http://pcpartpicker.com/p/bmBkRB I think it's pretty good but now that X99 has been out I've been hearing a lot of good things about it and I was wondering if I should go for a X99 build or stay with mine. If x99 recommend me one, preferabley on pcpartpicker. But if Z97 is the choice give me advice on my build. Thanks Hope to hear a lot of answers!
 
Solution
g-unit1111
Depends on what the system is going to be used for. Gaming and every day usage - Z97. Rendering and content creation - X99. The main reason I say this is how expensive DDR4 is at the moment.

As far as your proposed build - it looks good with a few things I would change. One is the motherboard is overkill and the BD-R burner is not necessary. I would also go with a strong air fan like a Noctua D14 or Phanteks TC14PE over a closed liquid loop.
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SLI 970 for a 1440p ultra will be nicely, but if you're going to stick with 1080p for as while, a single 980 will be perfect for you :)
 
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Yeah I agree.
 
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Ok thanks! Also what cooler should I get I kind of want a water cooler because it allows you to see the whole sistem and all of the components, but which one do you think is the best right now I have the h100i but I've been hearing some things about nzxt's stuff. Oh and what 980 should I get I'm thinking the Asus Strix.
 
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I go for Asus when it comes to GPUs, but Evga or Gigabyte are both good. I've never used any NZXT cooler, only their cases. But the H100i is not too bad I don't think, I had it before (I think, not sure if it was the H100i or H100, lol) But I switched to CM Nepton 280L instead.
 
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I have only heard noise issues with gigabyte and evga. I have the ASUS and it is perfectly fine. Most of the companies are offering refunds for their cards if they have coil whine.
 
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After trying a closed liquid loop for myself I feel they don't offer much benefit if any over a strong air cooler like the Phanteks TC-14 or Noctua D14/15. Sure they don't have the motherboard busting heat sink, but they're much more reliable than water coolers are.
 
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Yes they definitely will both last until you need an upgrade. But what he is saying is that the less moving parts in a computer part the better. Air coolers only have fans. Liquid coolers have pumps and fans. That adds one more moving part which means there is one less likely thing to fail with air coolers. But I don't like how big high performance air coolers are.. Which is why I like liquid liquid coolers more 😛
 
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Here is another build. Just different parts with a different color scheme. If you upgrade the monitor you can add another gtx 970. I really don't think the 980 is worth the extra cost. An extra $200 for 10-15% performance increase. A single 970 should max out everything in 1080 and dual 970's should max everything in 1440p.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($318.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock 3 113.8 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($74.90 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Gaming Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($130.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($128.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.85 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($348.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 ATX Mid Tower Case ($114.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1510.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-06 19:38 EST-0500

Also this a nice silent build
 
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Ok I think I'm going to go with the h100i. Ok guys I have 3 more short questions. I need a 750w power supply, perferably modular, but do you know any that has red cables. The one I was going to pick has black, but my build needs more red. My second question is what case should I get? I like ones with front doors. Third trident x 2400 has cas 10, but corsair vengeance pro has cas 11. Is it a big difference because I think corsair looks a bit better and higher quality.
 
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No. Get the Trident set. G.Skill makes excellent memory and I would much much rather have G.Skill over Corsair memory any day. As for the PSU, if you want a 750W PSU the EVGA G2 is your best bet. Fully modular and you can buy red after market cables here: http://www.ensourced.net/custom-evga-supernova-g2-series-cables/

Front doors for the CD drives or front doors for the side of the case?
 
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Trident memory also can easily become low profile. There is a little screw on the end of the heatsink on the top and all you have to do is unscrew that, slide off the heatsink and BAM. You have low profile memory for any air cooler.
 
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