EPIC PC- $2000 Budget

[hummerh1]

I am building a new PC next week and need final thoughts and opinions on which of these two builds I should get. And for each build should I get an Asus z97a or MSI z97 gaming 5??

[Build 1:](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/NwMHJx)

[Build 2:](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/hJvBxr)

 

[Skylarz]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($349.89 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($84.99 @ Memory Express)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($83.84 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($115.98 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card ($379.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.95 @ Vuugo)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($57.98 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.95 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($107.99 @ NCIX)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($299.00 @ Canada Computers)
Other: NZXT hue ($40.00)
Other: Netis wf2116 ($22.00)
Total: $1856.53
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-22 01:47 EST-0500

 

[hummerh1]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($349.89 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($84.99 @ Memory Express)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($83.84 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($115.98 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card ($379.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.95 @ Vuugo)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($57.98 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.95 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($107.99 @ NCIX)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($299.00 @ Canada Computers)
Other: NZXT hue ($40.00)
Other: Netis wf2116 ($22.00)
Total: $1856.53
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-22 01:47 EST-0500

Thanks for the feedback, i'll think about it.

 

[Tradesman1]

Looks sort of like coming down to 970 or 980, I'd go the 980, and did, love it am thinking a 970 for my Z87 build, think you'd be happy w/ either, but if in budget I'd go the 980

 

[hummerh1]

Looks sort of like coming down to 970 or 980, I'd go the 980, and did, love it am thinking a 970 for my Z87 build, think you'd be happy w/ either, but if in budget I'd go the 980

I kinda want to go the 980 route, but I feel as though the 970 build is better value. How many fps are you getting with your 980? and at what resolution?

 

[Tradesman1]

I'm not a gamer, with all at stock did 11365 in 3DMark, and 15114 in 3DMark11, Unigine Heaven was 64.6 that was with a two monitor setup, both at 1920x1080

 

[hummerh1]

I'm not a gamer, with all at stock did 11365 in 3DMark, and 15114 in 3DMark11, Unigine Heaven was 64.6 that was with a two monitor setup, both at 1920x1080

I think I might go for a CM quickfire tk keyboard, a Gigabyte g1 970, and with the money saved I will try and get an i7 4790k for better future-proofing.

 

[Tradesman1]

Sounds like a good plan, and when/if you decide you need more graphics power could take the 970 and look to SLI, it will prob be awhile so prices may be down also

 

[hummerh1]

Sounds like a good plan, and when/if you decide you need more graphics power could take the 970 and look to SLI, it will prob be awhile so prices may be down also

Thanks for your help

 

[Tradesman1]

No worries, try to help where I can 😉 Drop us an update on your build when you get it together 😉

 

[hummerh1]

No worries, try to help where I can 😉 Drop us an update on your build when you get it together 😉

I definitely will! I'm soooooooooooooo excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have never owned a PC with a graphics card LOL

 

[Tradesman1]

You'll love it 😉