i5-4460 for SLI GTX 970? for Gaming

[EV_Creeper]

Hello, I'm thinking about buying two GTX 970s to SLI, one now and the other one in maybe 6 months or a year.
Anyway, I want to know if an i5-4460 is enough for running it, or should I wait 'til I have more budget and get an i5-4670?
If the i5-4670 is necessary, the truth is I have mixed feeling about getting the K version for overclocking, since I want the CPU to last, and at the same time I'd like to try the free extra power and see if OCing does really make a difference in games.

Also, the only GTX 970 version available in my country is the Gigabyte G1 Gaming, and I've read it's huge. I already have the case, and both cards can perfectly fit in the case. But I'm a little concerned about if the mobo I'm planning to buy (Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI) gives enough room for plugging both of them.

At this time, the only thing I've bought is the case, since it was on sale. It's an Aerocool Strike-X ONE Advance

This is what I'm planning to buy:
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI
PSU: Corsair CX750M - 750w 80+
RAM: Kingston HyperX FURY DDR3, 1600MHz, 8GB
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM

Maybe I'll get an SSD, but I'm not really thinking about it right now. My current monitor is 1440p.

And, I'll be playing games like BF4, Dragon Age, Crysis 3, Far Cry 4, GTA V, Skyrim, Middle Earth Shadow of Mordor and games like that.

 

[biggranny]

If you're looking for more gaming performance, upgrade the GPU, especially sense you are on a 1440p monitor and playing very high-end games. Upgrading your CPU will not make that much of an overall difference and will barely make your games faster, so for the bang for the buck go for the GPU. Once you get some GPU upgrades I would also go for an SSD and put windows on it that way windows is very fast (Or whatever OS you use). Overall overclocking has no huge impact, it consumes a lot more power and makes a lot more heat, sometimes people need a little extra juice though. Aslong as you have sufficient cooling then it's fine to overclock and you know what you're doing. Especialyl for around $200, I wouldn't upgrade the CPU. SLI cards should fit on your motherboard, although make sure you measure how much depth each card as, and remember SLI will make your whole system warmer and usually the Top GPU will have more exhaust hitting it so it will heat up more, overall the GTX 970 is a great card that runs cool if it is effiecient with cooling. Those are my thoughts.

 

[EV_Creeper]

If you're looking for more gaming performance, upgrade the GPU, especially sense you are on a 1440p monitor and playing very high-end games. Upgrading your CPU will not make that much of an overall difference and will barely make your games faster, so for the bang for the buck go for the GPU. Once you get some GPU upgrades I would also go for an SSD and put windows on it that way windows is very fast (Or whatever OS you use). Overall overclocking has no huge impact, it consumes a lot more power and makes a lot more heat, sometimes people need a little extra juice though. Aslong as you have sufficient cooling then it's fine to overclock and you know what you're doing. Especialyl for around $200, I wouldn't upgrade the CPU. SLI cards should fit on your motherboard, although make sure you measure how much depth each card as, and remember SLI will make your whole system warmer and usually the Top GPU will have more exhaust hitting it so it will heat up more, overall the GTX 970 is a great card that runs cool if it is effiecient with cooling. Those are my thoughts.

I'm sorry, but I didn't get you. Right now I just have a laptop connected to a 1440p monitor, which was a gift. Do you recommend a 4460 instead of the 4670? and do you think there will not be any bottleneck?

 

[biggranny]

If you're looking for more gaming performance, upgrade the GPU, especially sense you are on a 1440p monitor and playing very high-end games. Upgrading your CPU will not make that much of an overall difference and will barely make your games faster, so for the bang for the buck go for the GPU. Once you get some GPU upgrades I would also go for an SSD and put windows on it that way windows is very fast (Or whatever OS you use). Overall overclocking has no huge impact, it consumes a lot more power and makes a lot more heat, sometimes people need a little extra juice though. Aslong as you have sufficient cooling then it's fine to overclock and you know what you're doing. Especialyl for around $200, I wouldn't upgrade the CPU. SLI cards should fit on your motherboard, although make sure you measure how much depth each card as, and remember SLI will make your whole system warmer and usually the Top GPU will have more exhaust hitting it so it will heat up more, overall the GTX 970 is a great card that runs cool if it is effiecient with cooling. Those are my thoughts.

I'm sorry, but I didn't get you. Right now I just have a laptop connected to a 1440p monitor, which was a gift. Do you recommend a 4460 instead of the 4670? and do you think there will not be any bottleneck?

I5 is a great CPU, and no it shouldn't bottleneck. For that much money upgrading the CPU will not make a difference at all overall. Spend the money going for a GPU upgrade (Graphics cards), it's much better for the money. Also especially sense you are getting a 1440p montior and playing high-end games, you may need to SLI which is what you're doing in the future.

 

[Mac266]

Umm, not sure what the bloke above me is going on about.

Anyway, you can SLI with a 4460. But, if you can afford it, definitely get the 4690k. You don't have to Overclock now, but it's worth having the option.

 

[alicepattinson]

Its good but I really don't prefer SLI's or xfire. 🙁

 

[DubbleClick]

When you're already buying a z97 board (well, I know you have to for sli), you might as well get a K cpu (I5 4690k) and an aftermarket cooler, if it fits your budget. If not, I'd go with the I5 4590. It has 300mhz faster turbo than the I5 4460 and (at least here) goes for just 6€ more.

The motherboard is going to work great, if your case is big enough. The pcie x16 slots have a good distance in between, so the two cards will not interfere. But: one of the slots is almost right at the edge of the motherboard. It will definitely fit in, but depending on where it is in the case (for me bottom) make sure the case has a good airflow.

Last part is about the psu. 750w will work fine, but I just can't recommend corsairs cx series, especially not for sli. Try to get something better (any seasonic, corsair AX or HX, any super flower, bequiet pure/dark power e9/p10, etc. etc.. The psu isn't the part you want to save money on when getting a new system, taking into account it can pretty much blow the whole up.

 

[EV_Creeper]

When you're already buying a z97 board (well, I know you have to for sli), you might as well get a K cpu (I5 4690k) and an aftermarket cooler, if it fits your budget. If not, I'd go with the I5 4590. It has 300mhz faster turbo than the I5 4460 and (at least here) goes for just 6€ more.

The motherboard is going to work great, if your case is big enough. The pcie x16 slots have a good distance in between, so the two cards will not interfere. But: one of the slots is almost right at the edge of the motherboard. It will definitely fit in, but depending on where it is in the case (for me bottom) make sure the case has a good airflow.

Last part is about the psu. 750w will work fine, but I just can't recommend corsairs cx series, especially not for sli. Try to get something better (any seasonic, corsair AX or HX, any super flower, bequiet pure/dark power e9/p10, etc. etc.. The psu isn't the part you want to save money on when getting a new system, taking into account it can pretty much blow the whole up.

Why not? Is there a problem with Corsair CX series?
And what about Thermaltake Smart Standard SP-750P? Do you recommend it?

 

[iron8orn]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

 

[mlga91]

I recomend this board instead:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z97extreme4

Costs around the same, and has muche better voltage regulation, as for the cpu, the 4460 will handle two 970's with no problem, but since you already are investing in a sli capable motherboard, an unlocked cpu like a 4690k becomes a more atractive option, costs a bit more, but is really worth it if you already plan to use a good motherboard.

And with the psu, those are entry level PSUs (very expensive entry level PSUs) not suitable for power hungry applications, DubleClick already suggested some nice PSUs, you can also go with a EVGA supernova G1, xfx or antec unit. Where do you plan to buy the parts?

 

[EV_Creeper]

I recomend this board instead:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z97extreme4

Costs around the same, and has muche better voltage regulation, as for the cpu, the 4460 will handle two 970's with no problem, but since you already are investing in a sli capable motherboard, an unlocked cpu like a 4690k becomes a more atractive option, costs a bit more, but is really worth it if you already plan to use a good motherboard.

And with the psu, those are entry level PSUs (very expensive entry level PSUs) not suitable for power hungry applications, DubleClick already suggested some nice PSUs, you can also go with a EVGA supernova G1, xfx or antec unit. Where do you plan to buy the parts?

Hmm.. don't really have the money to buy one of those, I guess I'll get a good 500w and then upgrade it for the SLI. I'll buy them on PCX, asi I'm in Mexico. If I wanted to overclock to 4.5 GHz -just an example- which would be better, 4670k or 4690k?

 

[iron8orn]

The 4690k is a Haswell refresh cpu (Devil's Canyon) that will have a better chance of getting higher clocks just keep in mind there is no guarantee.

 

[mlga91]

I recomend this board instead:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z97extreme4

Costs around the same, and has muche better voltage regulation, as for the cpu, the 4460 will handle two 970's with no problem, but since you already are investing in a sli capable motherboard, an unlocked cpu like a 4690k becomes a more atractive option, costs a bit more, but is really worth it if you already plan to use a good motherboard.

And with the psu, those are entry level PSUs (very expensive entry level PSUs) not suitable for power hungry applications, DubleClick already suggested some nice PSUs, you can also go with a EVGA supernova G1, xfx or antec unit. Where do you plan to buy the parts?

Hmm.. don't really have the money to buy one of those, I guess I'll get a good 500w and then upgrade it for the SLI. I'll buy them on PCX, asi I'm in Mexico. If I wanted to overclock to 4.5 GHz -just an example- which would be better, 4670k or 4690k?

I'm also from Mexico, and i usually buy from here:

http://www.cyberpuerta.mx/index.php?stoken=9E449371&lang=0&cl=search&searchparam=i5&fq_catx=&fq_catx=1C%C3%B3mputo+%28Hardware%29&fq_catx=1C%C3%B3mputo+%28Hardware%29%7C2Componentes%7C3Procesadores&fq_cat=1C%C3%B3mputo+%28Hardware%29%7C2Componentes%7C3Procesadores&fq_price_on=0&fq_price_min=134&fq_price_max=12646&fq_price%5Bmin%5D=134&fq_price%5Bmax%5D=12646

That site that you said has more updated products, but they're more expensive, if i were you, i'd get a cheap ivy i5 instead a much more expensive haswell i5.

 

[EV_Creeper]

I recomend this board instead:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z97extreme4

Costs around the same, and has muche better voltage regulation, as for the cpu, the 4460 will handle two 970's with no problem, but since you already are investing in a sli capable motherboard, an unlocked cpu like a 4690k becomes a more atractive option, costs a bit more, but is really worth it if you already plan to use a good motherboard.

And with the psu, those are entry level PSUs (very expensive entry level PSUs) not suitable for power hungry applications, DubleClick already suggested some nice PSUs, you can also go with a EVGA supernova G1, xfx or antec unit. Where do you plan to buy the parts?

Hmm.. don't really have the money to buy one of those, I guess I'll get a good 500w and then upgrade it for the SLI. I'll buy them on PCX, asi I'm in Mexico. If I wanted to overclock to 4.5 GHz -just an example- which would be better, 4670k or 4690k?

I'm also from Mexico, and i usually buy from here:

http://www.cyberpuerta.mx/index.php?stoken=9E449371&lang=0&cl=search&searchparam=i5&fq_catx=&fq_catx=1C%C3%B3mputo+%28Hardware%29&fq_catx=1C%C3%B3mputo+%28Hardware%29%7C2Componentes%7C3Procesadores&fq_cat=1C%C3%B3mputo+%28Hardware%29%7C2Componentes%7C3Procesadores&fq_price_on=0&fq_price_min=134&fq_price_max=12646&fq_price%5Bmin%5D=134&fq_price%5Bmax%5D=12646

That site that you said has more updated products, but they're more expensive, if i were you, i'd get a cheap ivy i5 instead a much more expensive haswell i5.

The only thing I checked there was the RAM, as in PCX almost everything else is cheaper. Even the 4670 is cheaper than the 4590. Is there any power supply there that you recommend?

 

[mlga91]

For a single 970 setup, this looks good for the price:

http://pcx.com.mx/fuentes-de-poder/531-antec-high-current-gamer-hcg-520-de-520w-modular-80-plus-bronce.html

But looks like it has sold out.