Help Me Decide

[Anticid3]

Hi all, I'm trying to decide between two 970's or 1 980 for my build. All parts the same except for the graphics cards. I really don't know what to pick.

2 GTX 970's

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($25.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($115.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($105.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.50 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor (Purchased For $0.00)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $1605.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-06 14:43 EDT-0400

1 GTX 980.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($25.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($115.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($105.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($544.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.50 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $0.00)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor (Purchased For $0.00)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $1440.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-06 14:44 EDT-0400

 

[Zerk2012]

I would get the single card that leaves a upgrade path.
Get rid of that CX power supply and buy a good one.

 

[Anticid3]

I would get the single card that leaves a upgrade path.
Get rid of that CX power supply and buy a good one.

Already have the 600w. Bought it a year ago. I'm keeping it. 600W its enough till i upgrade.

 

[Somasundaram Sathiyathasan]

The first option, hands down. 2 x GTX970s would GREATLY outperform a single GTX980. Even for that price difference, I would say it's worth it. But first, you should change the PSU. The CX Series aren't very good, and many people have had good times with them but I wouldn't recommend it personally. You can get a Tier 1 or Tier 2 for the same price.

For example, this Antec TruePower Gold certified PSU for 50 bucks after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371073

However, it's up to you

 

[Anticid3]

The first option, hands down. 2 x GTX970s would GREATLY outperform a single GTX980. Even for that price difference, I would say it's worth it. But first, you should change the PSU. The CX Series aren't very good, and many people have had good times with them but I wouldn't recommend it personally. You can get a Tier 1 or Tier 2 for the same price.

For example, this Antec TruePower Gold certified PSU for 50 bucks after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371073

However, it's up to you

Thanks for the help. I really am having a hard time deciding. Main reason is..... how long will 2 970's be good enough for gaming? I'm just kinda lost.

 

[Iamsoda]

The first option, hands down. 2 x GTX970s would GREATLY outperform a single GTX980. Even for that price difference, I would say it's worth it. But first, you should change the PSU. The CX Series aren't very good, and many people have had good times with them but I wouldn't recommend it personally. You can get a Tier 1 or Tier 2 for the same price.

For example, this Antec TruePower Gold certified PSU for 50 bucks after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371073

However, it's up to you

Thanks for the help. I really am having a hard time deciding. Main reason is..... how long will 2 970's be good enough for gaming? I'm just kinda lost.

Get a single gtx 980 (like I did) and wait for 4k screens and the gtx 980 to drop price. Then upgrade those later.

 

[Anticid3]

ANY LAST THOUGHTS? BEST I CAME UP WITH FOR UNDER $1,600

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($25.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($115.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($105.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.50 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Antec TruePower Classic 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor (Purchased For $0.00)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $1585.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-06 15:55 EDT-0400

 

[Iamsoda]

ANY LAST THOUGHTS? BEST I CAME UP WITH FOR UNDER $1,600

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($25.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($115.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($105.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.50 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Antec TruePower Classic 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor (Purchased For $0.00)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $1585.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-06 15:55 EDT-0400

Yeah where did you get the free screens? 😛

 

[V3T3R4NGaming]

Personally I Would Go For The Single 980,
This Is Because There Is A Problem With The 970 That Makes The GPU
Only Have 3.5GB Of GDDR5 Video Ram Which Is Absurdly Lower Than The Marketed 4GB Of GDDR5 Video Ram.

 

[Anticid3]

ANY LAST THOUGHTS? BEST I CAME UP WITH FOR UNDER $1,600

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($25.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($115.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($105.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.50 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Antec TruePower Classic 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor (Purchased For $0.00)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $1585.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-06 15:55 EDT-0400

Yeah where did you get the free screens? 😛

LMAO, Christmas and birthday monies

 

[Iamsoda]

ANY LAST THOUGHTS? BEST I CAME UP WITH FOR UNDER $1,600

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($324.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($25.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($115.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($105.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.50 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Antec TruePower Classic 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor (Purchased For $0.00)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $1585.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-06 15:55 EDT-0400

Yeah where did you get the free screens? 😛

LMAO, Christmas and birthday monies

Get the single gtx 980 then get a second when the price drops. That 3.5 gig cap on the 970 sucks.