$2000 X99 or Z97 Build?

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the Tom's Hardware community: where nearly two million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

LucioSantella1

Reputable
Apr 23, 2014
125
0
4,680
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
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.
Okay so since literally nowhere has the replacement cables for that power supply I would go this route:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-ax760
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/18824/psu-cab-49/Corsair_Professional_Series_Individually_Sleeved_DC_Modular_Cable_Kit_Type_3_Generation_2_-_Red_CP-8920049.html?tl=g11c413s1599

That set does not come with a red motherboard power connector and they are out of stock in red. So your options would be to get a black one or use the one that come with your build for now and then get it later when it comes in stock.
 


My X61 had a defective pump which was causing CPU temperatures to skyrocket. I swapped it with a Noctua d14 and it's been problem free ever since.
 
Guys let's get back on the topic of cases 😛
Here are 2 of my favorite cases for both the Full Tower and Mid tower form factors:

Phantom 410 - Click in door - ATX Mid Tower - ~$80 (Have it and love it)


Define R5 - Reversible door that isn't that easy to closed due to the latch system it uses - ATX Mid Tower - ~$110 (This is a really nice case) (Has tons and tons of features)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_ZLKzqcUtM

Corsair 760T - Truly enthusiast. Does not have a front CD door but features a clear side door that is beautiful - ATX Full Tower - ~$130-$155

Be Quiet! Silent Base 800 - Amazing deal. Has really nice features and noise dampening. Has a magnetic door that is padded on the inside to protect drives. - ATX Full Tower - ~$105 (I highly highly recommend this case if you are okay with larger cases.


 
You don't need extra fans to fill up all of the slots. I only have 1 fan running in my Define R4 (yes, only one even though two are inside) and my temps are fine. However, I am thinking of getting more [silent] fans purely for aesthetics, and additional airflow just because I can. You may want to take a look at the 140mm Corsair AF/SP Airflow/Static Pressure low-RPM fans.
 

SP fans spin really fast so low-RPM isn't an option for the SP series 😛

For Luciohttps://pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcadefr5bk
 
Hello there Homey,

i saw you ask much the same questions i asked a few weeks back.

This is my ( very similar build ).
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/stormflakes/saved/6xvNnQ

I got the asus strix 980 because it IS the most quiet ( fans dont even spin below 67 degrees celcius ).
You can overclock a gigabyte 980 more then asus, but if you get a Fractal R4 i'm guessing asus is more your thing.

The mobo gave me headaches, but i think i might oc in a year or maybe two and this one is very easy, lots of support, and if i go sli or something other i know i have the quality.

Basically what i will do in one or two years is add some memory if needed and another 980.
All the core components will be top notch for around 4 years ( making this build cost me around 600$ a year, a number i can live with ).

Also, get the fractal R5 ( it'n newer and better then the R4 ).

 


Hmm, well I suppose I could compromise airflow a little bit by fitting out my PC completely with some 140/120mm Airflow fans. I'll lose some air putting one of them where my single drive bay goes but it shouldn't be too bad as I have one of the 3 racks removed.

I initially intended to place an airflow fan on the top left, two airflows on the top of the case blowing down on the CPU and two static pressure fans (but now two airflows, i only have 1 rack anyway) on the door area. That should provide really good airflow, but I also have a fan slot right next to the power supply where it could blow up the case towards the graphics card. Would putting a fan there yield any benefit or would I be better off with 1 fan on left, two on top and two on right with no fan on the bottom?
 
WOAH WOAH WOAH!!!! Gad I got here!
Do not do the 980's not with that budget, besides they offer a minimal improvement.
This build http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HfJy99 is one i modified for you here, and it fits into the budget easily. It offers the i7 and 16gb of RAM.
I did a build like this not long ago, only I didn't use the storage as I had an SSD and HDD, and I had an OS around. So on black friday it cost me $1200. You could easily modify this slightly and drop the price even more.
Also in todays age, a Blu-Ray writer isn't a bad thing to have.
 
Dude no offense but you said 980's would be a waste of money yet you add an i7, 16GB of RAM and a blu ray player. Why even use a blu ray player when it needs an HDMI cord and HDCP enabled display device..? And even if you didnt want 980s and didn't waste money on all of that ..well crap, then at least buy an amazing motherboard and GPUs that haven't got terrible reviews.
 


I have four EVGA 980's on a Rampage IV Black Edition with all of my games running on Ultra Settings with 8X on the Super Sampling. The CPU is a Intel 4930. Ram memory is 64 GB

 
This build is similar to my build.
My friend went crazy on his build and dished out about $5000 on his x99 build and ended up with slightly lower benchmarks.
If you plan on spending $2000 on (which is more than enough) for great gaming rig than I'd say z97. X99 will be much more expensive.

Mine works fine, so I'd recommend z97.