Help with a build for 4K gaming using 2 way GTX 970 SLI

[marskeiko123]

Hi, I have just bought a LG 40 inch 4K TV as gaming monitor hence I am thinking of upgrading my PC to get the most of 4K gaming. However, after doing some research, I decided to just build a new rig and I believe that the components I can keep from my old PC is just the GTX970, SSD and HDD. Can someone recommend me a build for 2 way GTX970 SLI? I do not know anything about overclocking so I prefer not to touch it. But if there is really a huge difference, I might still consider it. My budget is around US$1000 including the second GTX 970. Thank you.

 

[GRUxTSAR]

Woah, woah, you want a $1000 4K ready build for $1000 with 2 970s? Or am I reading this incorrectly

 

[marskeiko123]

@GRUxTSAR: Sorry for the confusion. I already have 1 GTX 970, a 4K monitor, SDD and HDD. Therefore, the other components I need will be a motherboard, CPU, PSU, RAM, 1 GTX 970, computer case and other components that I might have left out. So I think maybe around $1000 will do.

 

[IndyAJD]

This should do the trick.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.97 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.03 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($339.98 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 850W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $946.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-26 23:33 EDT-0400

You will be able to overclock with this build, as there really is no point in getting a Z97 motherboard and a locked processor. Overclocking can grant a performance boost in CPU heavy games, and the ability to do it will help future-proof your build. I haven't overclocked my i5 yet, but I will when it starts struggling in games.

You can find some good guides on the internet just by googling it.

 

[marskeiko123]

@IndyAJD: Thank you so much!! This is very close to what I am looking for. Just a few more questions before I go any buy the components.

1) Motherboard, what difference does it make in gaming if I choose extreme4,6,9 instead of just extreme 3

2) Does the RAM makes alot of difference in gaming as I see there are some really pricey RAM even though they are also 8GB

3) For PSU, the Bronze is sufficient? I do not need to get a gold certified PSU?

Thank you again!

 

[IndyAJD]

1) The 4 has an extra PCI-E slot and some extra USB headers, neither of which you need.

2) The more expensive RAM boasts faster clock speeds, but this doesn't affect games 99% of the time. 1600Mhz is all you need.

3) Yes, bronze is sufficient. What these ratings are is energy efficiency. You may save a small amount on your electric bill each month (like less than a dollar), but you'd have to do the math to see if it'd be worth it. I have a 80+ Bronze rated PSU and it works just fine.

 

[GRUxTSAR]

@IndyAJD: Thank you so much!! This is very close to what I am looking for. Just a few more questions before I go any buy the components.

1) Motherboard, what difference does it make in gaming if I choose extreme4,6,9 instead of just extreme 3

2) Does the RAM makes alot of difference in gaming as I see there are some really pricey RAM even though they are also 8GB

3) For PSU, the Bronze is sufficient? I do not need to get a gold certified PSU?

Thank you again!

His build was good, but DO NOT get the Extreme3. Get the Extreme4. It's worth the extra little bit of money.

RAM does not make a difference in gaming. 8gb 1600Mhz is all you need

80+ Bronze is the standard. Silver Gold Platunum etc will only save you a tiny bit of money on your power bill

 

[Outlander_04]

This TV of yours

is a 60 Hz model or is it 30 Hz screen ?
I ask because if its this model
http://www.lg.com/us/tvs/lg-40UB8000-led-tv
it doesnt have a display port , and the chances are that you can only push 30 fps over HDMI

 

[marskeiko123]

@Outlander_04: I am not really sure, here is the link to my TV though http://www.lg.com/hk_en/tvs/lg-42UB8200

 

[IndyAJD]

@IndyAJD: Thank you so much!! This is very close to what I am looking for. Just a few more questions before I go any buy the components.

1) Motherboard, what difference does it make in gaming if I choose extreme4,6,9 instead of just extreme 3

2) Does the RAM makes alot of difference in gaming as I see there are some really pricey RAM even though they are also 8GB

3) For PSU, the Bronze is sufficient? I do not need to get a gold certified PSU?

Thank you again!

His build was good, but DO NOT get the Extreme3. Get the Extreme4. It's worth the extra little bit of money.

RAM does not make a difference in gaming. 8gb 1600Mhz is all you need

80+ Bronze is the standard. Silver Gold Platunum etc will only save you a tiny bit of money on your power bill

Whats so wrong with the Extreme3? Works well for me.

 

[Outlander_04]

I think when I read the video spec and see it runs the 4K HEVC 30p it is telling us the screen runs at 30 Hz

The most fps you need to max out that screen is 30 fps , and that fits with the HDMI ports .
Gaming should be OK but you do not have to build a machine powerful enough to give you 60 fps . It will not happen on that panel .
I think a single GTX 970 may give you all the performance you need

 

[marskeiko123]

@IndyAJD: sorry, i did not see your response regarding my 3 questions. Thank you again for your prompt reply and it really helped me clear things out!

@Outlander_04: I'm trying to get the games setting to max but only one GTX970 seems to be not powerful enough, so I'm thinking of getting SLI.

@GRUxTSAR: I would also like to know why not just get extreme3 but get extreme4? Thank you.

 

[IndyAJD]

I think when I read the video spec and see it runs the 4K HEVC 30p it is telling us the screen runs at 30 Hz

The most fps you need to max out that screen is 30 fps , and that fits with the HDMI ports .
Gaming should be OK but you do not have to build a machine powerful enough to give you 60 fps . It will not happen on that panel .
I think a single GTX 970 may give you all the performance you need

On the product page is says it can run 60p. Perhaps I'm mistaken.

 

[Outlander_04]

I think when I read the video spec and see it runs the 4K HEVC 30p it is telling us the screen runs at 30 Hz

The most fps you need to max out that screen is 30 fps , and that fits with the HDMI ports .
Gaming should be OK but you do not have to build a machine powerful enough to give you 60 fps . It will not happen on that panel .
I think a single GTX 970 may give you all the performance you need

On the product page is says it can run 60p. Perhaps I'm mistaken.

Got the whole page to load now and that is what it seems to say .
Yes SLI those 970's

 

[GRUxTSAR]

It's better to just spend the extra $10 and get the Extreme4. It's Tom's official recommended MB

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mainstream-gaming-z97-motherboard,3824-27.html

 

[IndyAJD]

It's better to just spend the extra $10 and get the Extreme4. It's Tom's official recommended MB

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mainstream-gaming-z97-motherboard,3824-27.html

Well, he should get the extreme4 then.