Another Undetermined Mobo Choice

[EdwardMontagu]

So I'm looking into buying and assembling my first PC, and have been doing a lot of research. I'll try to keep this short, but I started with the GPU and then the CPU and determined to buy a 970 (to be later made sli with another or however you say that) and a i7 4790k as the CPU.
Now, I looked around a lot, and it seems that everyone recommends the Asus Maximus VII Hero, but I cannot find it in-stock anywhere aside from e-Bay where I'm a bit hesitant to buy it from. The alternative would seem to be the MSI Gaming Z97 Gaming 5, so I'm wondering what I should go for. It would seem that both Motherboards have some bad reviews of it arriving non-functional, is that normal or should I consider other Motherboards? I should mention that I could get the Asus Hero VII on Microcenter pick-up only as I've some family near there headquarters, but I'd rather not hassle them unless it'd really be worth it.

TL;DR:
GPU = 970 (x2 for sli later) (Probably: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487091&cm_re=970-_-14-487-091-_-Product although I could go with a different brand/model if you think it wise.)
CPU = i7 4790k (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117369&cm_re=i7_4970k-_-19-117-369-_-Product)
RAM =~16GB (8x2 likely)
PSU = (Something sizable in wattage, not to hard to figure after everything else)
Motherboard = ???
Storage = Large hard drive perhaps a hybrid, and smaller SSD for OS and main programs. Perhaps Raid set up.
Case = Fractal Design R4 or R5 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352020&cm_re=fractal_design-_-11-352-020-_-Product) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352048&cm_re=fractal_design-_-11-352-048-_-Product)

Overall budget should be less than 1,800 USD, but I've already got some peripherals that I'll use until I can afford new stuff.

This would mostly be a gaming rig. I know the CPU may be overkill for that, but I'm also looking at doing a lot of renders which I hear are heavily CPU dependent. Any problems that are seen and any advise on what to do for a Mobo? Finally, with that case, would the GPU stay cool enough and any recommendations for CPU coolers? Do I need water cooled? I can't say that I am certainly going to OC my CPU, but it is likely if I get the rig set up for it.

Any help and or advise would be greatly appreciated. I'm rather new to this. xD

 

[Bearmann]

Since you are not really budget constrained, I would reconsider going to a Skylake rig.

 

[EdwardMontagu]

Since you are not really budget constrained, I would reconsider going to a Skylake rig.

Thanks a lot for the adivise there. I looked into it and yeah... it would make a lot of sense. So I'll probably go 6700k (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117559&cm_re=Skylake-_-19-117-559-_-Product) now for the CPU. Which means I think I'm looking at the
Gigabyte G1 Gaming 5 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128836&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=)
MSI Gaming Titanium (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130870)
or Asus Maximus VIII Hero (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132565)
I'll get some more info when I get some more research done here.

 

[Bearmann]

This would be a nice build. I upgraded your GPU and assume that you have a monitor. I have the Hero VIII myself and have been very pleased with it, though I transfered a sound card from my previous computer. You may consider waiting a few months for the Pascal/Polaris GPU's and see what that brings. If you are going to be doing a lot of video rendering, then we should probably look at a higher core processer like an overclocked 5820K and maybe a Samsung 950 Pro SSD.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($369.95 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.50 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VIII HERO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($219.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($119.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked+ ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($609.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 Blackout with Window ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 850W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($86.95 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1836.23
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-23 14:03 EDT-0400

 

[EdwardMontagu]

Alright, I looked at all of that and tweaked it a little to come out with:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($369.95 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.50 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VIII HERO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($217.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($119.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($317.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 Blackout Edition ATX Mid Tower Case ($107.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 850W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0B DVD/CD Writer ($19.88 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($86.95 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1610.11
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-24 00:19 EDT-0400

I changed the video card to a Gigabyte 970 that I believe is sli compatible to keep the price down a little bit and so that when Pascal stuff comes out in a few months as you mentioned, I could likely buy the second card for a bit cheaper and then have a littler stronger (or very close) to that of a 980ti. Also, by then I may have more money to blow. xD
Does the model seem good with this one though?

I changed the case primarily due to preference when the models went under investigation (for like the 3rd time, I keep forgetting which I decided upon).

I added a drive, and will totally buy a 5.25 box just for kicks, but again, those shouldn't matter too much.

I looked over the rest of the stuff and the ram looked pretty sweet and I'll take your word (and a bit of my research) for it and likewise with the Powersupply. Although would it be enough if I did upgrade to two GPU's at some point?

Finally, what is the reasoning for the CPU cooler? It's well rated, and I really don't know my coolers, but it seems that just about everyone goes with water cooled of some kind with these rigs. Would standard fan/fins be enough to be safe using factory/easy over-clock settings? What would you think of (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099) as it is actually a hair cheaper, very well reviewed and popular

Anyway, I think I'm getting away from the original simply Mobo question. But hey, I figure I may as well get help while it's there, and it is very helpful, I've no idea how long it would have taken me to come up with something to work with, but I imagine I'd still be stuck on an 4970k and a sold out mobo. xD

(Also, I indeed have a monitor. As far as the video rendering, I imagine the Skylake stuff would work quite well enough at my level as I'm actually able to run everything I need to currently (i5-2320 & HD 6770) albeit sometimes quite slowly and painfully)

 

[Bearmann]

That Gigabyte card is very long. Make sure it fits your case. I prefer the Asus Strix and MSI Gaming cards for their very quiet operation, and the EVGA cards for their excellent customer service. All come in models with hybrid fans which don't start up until 60 degrees. The Asus card is on sale today for $299 AR. You might want to pick it up:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=14-121-899&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=GD032316&nm_mc=EMC-GD032316&cm_mmc=EMC-GD032316-_-index-_-Item-_-14-121-899

I don't know much about the GPU's with hybrid air/water cooling. Maybe someone else can address that. I think it's always preferable to get a better card when possible versus two cards in SLI. I'm not a gamer, but I hear that SLI doesn't always work that well. Being a mid (entry upper) range card, the 970 should hold its value well on the second hand market.

The case is personal preference, window, non-window, etc. The non-windowed cases are a bit quietier, unless a side vent is open.

3000 RAM may be a bit overkill, but the pricing was similar.

The Cryorig is an entry level cooler. It cools well and is easy to install. The 212 EVO cools about the same (worse in most reviews but better in some others) , but doesn't look as nice and it difficult to install. The Skylake chips are efficient and don't require much cooling. If you wanted to gain a few more degrees of cooling you could go up to a higher end Cryorig or something like a Noctua U14s, D15, D14, etc. I'm not in to CPU water cooling which is usually done because it looks great in a windowed case. More maintenance, risk of leaks, lack of secondary MB cooling, usually noisier.

I don't see any reason for RAID in this set-up.

By the way, the Asus Ranger is similar to the Hero but without the fancy LED lighting, 2 fewer SATA ports, and a slightly different VRM (I can't say better or worse).

http://www.asus.com/us/site/motherboards/Z170/compare/

A quality 650 watt PSU is fine for any nVidia card including overclocks. The 850 watt will handle SLI, however, and wasn't that much more expensive. You don't have to go all the way to Platinum, but it seemed like a good value. I have the EVGA 650 P2 myself.

 

[EdwardMontagu]

Okay, sweet, I like the set up and it seems you think it'd work well.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($369.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.50 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VIII RANGER ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($191.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($122.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($348.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 Blackout Edition ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 850W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($133.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0B DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1657.38
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-24 15:30 EDT-0400

I think the only thing I changed there was the Mobo to the Ranger, as yeah, I don't really need the lights. xD (I hope the back plate doesn't look off though, granted you really don't see the back of a PC much)

I've got it all Newegg right now as it was only fractionally more expensive if it wasn't the cheapest except on the PSU which is out of stock on the cheapest, the case which actually is cheaper as parts picker missed the shipping cost of the other site, and the OS which I figured I'd just make simpler for like, $13.

I've got it all in the cart and will probably get it today, but everything look alright?

 

[Bearmann]

It looks great! I think you will love it!

Addendum: I was just double checking everything and I'm glad that your Fractal case is non-windowed. If you do end up doing SLI, you might need that side fan for extra cooling of the GPU's.

 

[EdwardMontagu]

Completed order and went with the last Part Picker set-up
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/TCkZgs

 

[Bearmann]

Sweet!!!

By the way, Newegg gives you price protection for 14 days on items with the Price guarantee badge. I didn't see one on the PSU, however, but maybe it will be good on some other stuff.

http://promotions.newegg.com/nepro/15-6962/index.html