Finding the right MoBo/CPU fit for my MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming 4GB.

[PreyTheSun]

I want to get rid of AMD, as I have switched from an AMD Radeon HD 6950 2GB, to my MSI, so now I want to do the same with the MoBo and the CPU. In all of your humble opinions, what would be the best up-to-date, modernized, 2015, latest and greatest MoBo and CPU that would grant me full power and performance that my GPU is missing b/c of my 4 1/2 year old hardware?

I know my MoBo: ASUS Crosshair IV Formula AM3 AMD 890FX-S, and my CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition, are holding my video card back and I just need to get with the times, but I'm not sure which route to go based off of Intel and I know Intel is much more expensive, so I don't want to make any moves until I'm ABSOLUTELY sure it's worth the money and compatible.

The last thing I want to do is settle.

Would an MSI/Intel MoBo be best, since I have an MSI GPU now or does it not matter?

These are my full specs as of 4-6-15:

Case: Antec Six Hundred Black Computer Case.

Disc Drive: LG Black Blu-ray/Disc Combo SATA Model UH10LS20 LightScribe.

GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming 4GB

Motherboard: ASUS Crosshair IV Formula AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX/AMD.

PSU: XFX Black Edition P1-750B-CAG9 750W ATX12V v2.2 / ESP12V.

HDD: Western Digital WD Black WD6402AAEX 640GB 7200RPM 64MB Cache SATA.

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333.

CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition Thuban 6-Core 3.3Ghz, 3.7Ghz Turbo.

 

[Pr3di]

@PreyTheSun - sorry for the late reply, just got back from the gym.
I`m using SpeedFan from time to time, and I like it.
It`s not very user-friendly, but once you figure out how to use it (tutorials online), it gets the job done.

I used to use it when I had the R9 280x, and the temps would go higher. Since I got my GTX 970, I didn`t need to use it once.

 

[PreyTheSun]

@PreyTheSun - sorry for the late reply, just got back from the gym.
I`m using SpeedFan from time to time, and I like it.
It`s not very user-friendly, but once you figure out how to use it (tutorials online), it gets the job done.

I used to use it when I had the R9 280x, and the temps would go higher. Since I got my GTX 970, I didn`t need to use it once.

Oh how I miss the gym, Pr3di, can't wait to get back after my classes are over!!!

Hah, no worries, thanks for getting back to me on here. SpeedFan can control the GPU speed, too? I had no idea.

I've only ever used SpeedFan for the CPU fan, to turn it up and down since it got loud at time, but now I just leave it. The GPU doesn't run too hot and has that auto setting, so I leave that alone, especially with MSI's settings.

I have a REALLY bad feeling that my AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition Thuban 6-Core 3.3GHz, NOT OVERCLOCKED, is going to hold back my playability of The Witcher 3 and Mortal Kombat X.

I got MK X on G2A.com for $29.32, PRE-ORDER.

Sick deal!

I really need to upgrade with that Intel CPU from my AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition Thuban 6-Core 3.3GHz.....it's so old!!!!

How difficult is it to install that cooling device from Cool Master? IT SEEMS SO HUGE, WILL I HAVE SPACE, lol?

 

[Pr3di]

Sorry if I wansn`t very clear - I used speedfan only for case fans and CPU cooler. For the GPU I was using MSI Afterburner.

My advice, upgrade the CPU and MOBO as fast as you can.
Regarding the cooler, it will fit in your case. Check this out: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2542137/cooler-master-hyper-212-evo-fit-antec-600-case.html

 

[PreyTheSun]

Sorry if I wansn`t very clear - I used speedfan only for case fans and CPU cooler. For the GPU I was using MSI Afterburner.

My advice, upgrade the CPU and MOBO as fast as you can.
Regarding the cooler, it will fit in your case. Check this out: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2542137/cooler-master-hyper-212-evo-fit-antec-600-case.html

Is my AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition Thuban 6-Core 3.3Ghz, 3.7Ghz Turbo hurting my MSI GTX 970 right now by putting too much stress and load on the GPU itself?

I don't want to decrease the life of my GPU because of my old CPU.

I changed my mind about the MSI MoBo and wanted to get this instead:

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K Haswell Refresh Quad-Core 3.5GHz. (I heard Haswell is better than Devil's Canyon?)

MoBo: ASUS Maximus VI Hero LGA 1150 Intel Z87.

How's that?

 

[PreyTheSun]

Haswell Refresh is Devil's Canyon I think (Anyway that CPU is Devil's Canyon) The mobo may not be compatible, how about the Asrock Z97 Extreme4, I think it has 12 power phases

I just looked up reviews on Newegg for the ASRock Z97 Extreme 4 and while it's a great price, it got DESTROYED for everything else, , so I'm not sure I want to get anything but ASUS, you know?

Have you had experience with the ASRock, Shadow?

 

[PreyTheSun]

If not the ASRock, maybe the ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 1?

 

[PreyTheSun]

Thanks for giving me another full build breakdown, Shadow. I could only imagine how much of an indecisive pain in the ass I've become, lol. Should I just stick with the Core i5, though?

All I would need is this:

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.89 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($208.99 @ SuperBiiz)

I have a 2TB WD, 1 SSD from Kingston 240GB, the MSI GTX 970 already and a case, but WHY are these CPU coolers SO MASSIVE?

I'm trying to spend the most I can, while saving the most I can at the same time lol, it's a very annoying feeling.

 

[PreyTheSun]

The Z97X Gaming 7 does look quite nice.....hmmmm.

 

[PreyTheSun]

Oh sorry didnt notice I got mixed up with what I copied and what I pasted

No need to apologize, Shadow. I can feel myself being a pain in the ass, lol. I'll have to make a choice soon enough and then just save up. At least I know I ABSOLUTELY want the Intel core i5-4690k as my CPU, so I can go from there.

 

[PreyTheSun]

You're not annoying at all, compared to other people you sir are Ned Flanders TBH

HAHAHA, DUDE, YOU'VE JUST MADE MY FREAKIN DAY....LEGIT, haha. That's awesome. I'm glad I can take on that role here, above other people. Man, some people must be horrible on here, huh?

 

[PreyTheSun]

Some people are just obnoxious, they ask for help and recommendations, I recommend something, then they completely ignore me and get something bad quality like the MSI 970A G43

Eww, that's a nasty board, ;-/. Yeah, I hear you. I hope you don't think I'm doing that because I take your recommendations seriously, I just like to find out as much information as I can before I settle, you know?

I'd like to do this all on my own one day, without the constant need for help lol but I'm a slow learner.

 

[PreyTheSun]

Dont worry I about it, Im 13 and I only started learning about computers in the new year lol. And I know you are taking my recommendations seriously, because you are reacting to them and asking things about them

Get the hell out of here, you're only 13?!?! No freaking way, lol. I'm 26 and probably don't have nearly as much knowhow as you do when it comes to all of this. IMPRESSIVE, DUDE. Hah, that's wild.

I'm sure you get that a lot.

 

[PreyTheSun]

And for only being 13 and learning about computers in the brand new year of 2015, so only 4 months in, you seem to have WAY more Expertise badges than you should lol, but you know what....YOU'RE A PRODIGY.

 

[PreyTheSun]

Thanks, but expertise badges dont mean nothing, they are false advertising really, people will get badges because of the OP, the guy suggesting things give false info accidentally and still get a badge, if the OP thinks he is right, you see a lot of people like that here

Ah, okay, so it's mainly smoke and mirrors? Well, at any rate, you definitely know what you're talking about regardless. You're going to go VERY far in the IT word, my friend....VERY FAR.

 

[PreyTheSun]

Thanks, but its getting a bit off topic, its about your dilemma, not me

Haha, so annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnyway, back to the build dilemma/crazy mind I have.

I had another silly question that's been bugging me. The MSI GTX 970 came with an adapter for a 6-pin to 8-pin power cable, since the GPU comes with both an 8-pin and 6-pin connector or the power? I believe. Now I connected the cables from my PSU the same way I did for my Radeon, expect I used this 6-to-8-pin adapter to connect the GTX 970 instead of just using the two 6-pin PCI-E connectors that came with my PSU.

DO I NEED THIS ADAPTER or can I just run the card off of the one 6-pin?

 

[PreyTheSun]

Which PSU do you have?

I have this old XFX Black Edition P1-750B-CAG9, only 750watts.

Served me and is still serving me well after 4 1/2 years.

 

[PreyTheSun]

"Only" 750 W is still a lot it should have 2 8 pin connectors, if not just use the adapter, I presume it needs 2 6 pins , but maybe MSI made 1 8 pin so you can achieve better OCing

I have the MSI 970 hooked up to two 6-pin PCI-E connectors, one with an adapter to make it 8, so you think it's best I just leave it for now? I do have to dust out my rig and tie off most of the cables in order, it's a mess.

That might be for the OCing, you could be right. It would make sense, but my XFX PSU should have at least ONE 8-pin connector you say? Hmm, maybe I didn't look hard enough. I have to take a look this weekend when I clean it out.

 

[Pr3di]

Thanks, but its getting a bit off topic, its about your dilemma, not me

Haha, so annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnyway, back to the build dilemma/crazy mind I have.

I had another silly question that's been bugging me. The MSI GTX 970 came with an adapter for a 6-pin to 8-pin power cable, since the GPU comes with both an 8-pin and 6-pin connector or the power? I believe. Now I connected the cables from my PSU the same way I did for my Radeon, expect I used this 6-to-8-pin adapter to connect the GTX 970 instead of just using the two 6-pin PCI-E connectors that came with my PSU.

DO I NEED THIS ADAPTER or can I just run the card off of the one 6-pin?

The best way is to connect the GPU to the PSU directly, without the adapter. And use both the 6 pin and 8 pin to connect it, not only one of the connectors.

 

[PreyTheSun]

Hey Shadow or Pr3di, I was playing Dying Light for no longer than 5 to 10 minutes last night (since I'm done with the game) so this was just for stress testing the new GTX 970 I got and within those short few minutes is shot straight up to 59-62C at a 35-40% fan speed, using all of it's VRAM (3345MB) and fluctuating from 37-60fps but ran decent.

Now I know this is b/c of my old AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition Thuban 6-Core 3.3Ghz Stock and I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and suck it up eventually to buy the new parts, but for the time being, should I be worried that the card is running at a constant 60C, all of it's VRAM 3356MB's and with a 40% fan speed? That's not hurting the card, right?

I feel like I've put my Radeon HD 6950 2GB through more hell and it's lasted me 4 1/2 years. I played well over 25+ hours of dying light at what I THOUGHT was fully ultra settings, but I guess I was wrong.

Hate being worried and I just want to make sure I'm paranoid and not seriously doing any damage to my parts.

Thanks guys!

 

[PreyTheSun]

And I don't take much, as I'm easily impressed by 30fps solid, but I know my CPU is keeping this card from really tearing it up and so is my board, since this card is running at PCI-E x16 2.0 and not 3.0.