i7-4790K + GTX 980 SLI; Does it bottleneck?

[joaovitor12]

What's up guys, I'm planning to mount a new desktop for gaming. I thought of getting 2 GTX 980 HOF (to put in SLI, obviously) and an i7-4790K with a Z97 mobo.
I told the idea to some friends, but they said that a GTX 980 SLI deserves a X99 platform.
But I think it's waste of money as I will use the PC only for gaming. What do u guys think?

 

[Newbbuilder11]

What's up guys, I'm planning to mount a new desktop for gaming. I thought of getting 2 GTX 980 HOF (to put in SLI, obviously) and an i7-4790K with a Z97 mobo.
I told the idea to some friends, but they said that a GTX 980 SLI deserves a X99 platform.
But I think it's waste of money as I will use the PC only for gaming. What do u guys think?

Totally false, the I7 4790k will be more than enough to handle two SLI 980's(even though two 980's is a bit overkill..)

Edit: But it depends on the SLI capability of your board(forgot to add this).

 

[sincreator]

No you will be fine. Your friends say this because both cards will run SLI at 8x8x using PCIe 3.0 on MOST z97 based motherboards. This shouldn't be an issue though, but there are a few motherboards that have PEX chips, that will allow for 16x16x in dual card SLI or 8x8x8x8x for quad SLI. Have you bought a motherboard yet?

This is one of the boards that has a PLX PEX chip, but it may be expensive to buy: http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Motherboards/EVGA-Z97-Classified-Motherboard-Review/Features-and-Motherboard-Layout

Here is a cheaper board with the PLX PEX chip: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2014/09/24/z97x_g1_gaming_gt_lga_1150_motherboard_review/#.VNogHSw72KU

 

[Covaylent]

What's up guys, I'm planning to mount a new desktop for gaming. I thought of getting 2 GTX 980 HOF (to put in SLI, obviously) and an i7-4790K with a Z97 mobo.
I told the idea to some friends, but they said that a GTX 980 SLI deserves a X99 platform.
But I think it's waste of money as I will use the PC only for gaming. What do u guys think?

At what resolutions do you plan on using for this rig? At very high resolutions and/or refresh rates this setup will do remarkably well. Got a 4K monitor?

 

[badboyrog2]

``No you will be fine. Your friends say this because both cards will run SLI at 8x8x on PCIe 3.0 on MOST z97 based motherboards. This shouldn't be an issue though, but there are a few motherboards that have PEX chips, that will allow for 16x16x in dual card SLI or 8x8x8x8x for quad SLI. Have you bought a motherboard yet? ``

this is a very good point and well describe..

``At what resolutions do you plan on using for this rig? At very high resolutions and/or refresh rates this setup will do remarkably well. Got a 4K monitor?``

forget 4K resolution with only 4GB VRM

 

[joaovitor12]

No you will be fine. Your friends say this because both cards will run SLI at 8x8x using PCIe 3.0 on MOST z97 based motherboards. This shouldn't be an issue though, but there are a few motherboards that have PEX chips, that will allow for 16x16x in dual card SLI or 8x8x8x8x for quad SLI. Have you bought a motherboard yet?

This is one of the boards that has a PLX PEX chip, but it may be expensive to buy: http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Motherboards/EVGA-Z97-Classified-Motherboard-Review/Features-and-Motherboard-Layout

Thanks for the advise, but I'd like to build a black/white config, and I was thinking about buying this mobo here:http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_Z97_MARK_S/ is it good?

 

[joaovitor12]

What's up guys, I'm planning to mount a new desktop for gaming. I thought of getting 2 GTX 980 HOF (to put in SLI, obviously) and an i7-4790K with a Z97 mobo.
I told the idea to some friends, but they said that a GTX 980 SLI deserves a X99 platform.
But I think it's waste of money as I will use the PC only for gaming. What do u guys think?

At what resolutions do you plan on using for this rig? At very high resolutions and/or refresh rates this setup will do remarkably well. Got a 4K monitor?


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Think I'll play in 1440p, but I have plans of buying a 4K monitor in the future.

 

[joaovitor12]

What's up guys, I'm planning to mount a new desktop for gaming. I thought of getting 2 GTX 980 HOF (to put in SLI, obviously) and an i7-4790K with a Z97 mobo.
I told the idea to some friends, but they said that a GTX 980 SLI deserves a X99 platform.
But I think it's waste of money as I will use the PC only for gaming. What do u guys think?

Totally false, the I7 4790k will be more than enough to handle two SLI 980's(even though two 980's is a bit overkill..)

Edit: But it depends on the SLI capability of your board(forgot to add this).

Good to know... I'd like to build a white/black setup (that's why the GTX 980 HOF), and I was thinking about this mobo here http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_Z97_MARK_S/

 

[sincreator]

No you will be fine. Your friends say this because both cards will run SLI at 8x8x using PCIe 3.0 on MOST z97 based motherboards. This shouldn't be an issue though, but there are a few motherboards that have PEX chips, that will allow for 16x16x in dual card SLI or 8x8x8x8x for quad SLI. Have you bought a motherboard yet?

This is one of the boards that has a PLX PEX chip, but it may be expensive to buy: http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Motherboards/EVGA-Z97-Classified-Motherboard-Review/Features-and-Motherboard-Layout

Thanks for the advise, but I'd like to build a black/white config, and I was thinking about buying this mobo here:http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_Z97_MARK_S/ is it good?

It's a great board, but it will limit you too 8x8x for SLI. You may lose a few FPS because of it, but nothing serious. I did post another board that was a lot cheaper that has the PEX chip, but it's not black and white.

 

[joaovitor12]

No you will be fine. Your friends say this because both cards will run SLI at 8x8x using PCIe 3.0 on MOST z97 based motherboards. This shouldn't be an issue though, but there are a few motherboards that have PEX chips, that will allow for 16x16x in dual card SLI or 8x8x8x8x for quad SLI. Have you bought a motherboard yet?

This is one of the boards that has a PLX PEX chip, but it may be expensive to buy: http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Motherboards/EVGA-Z97-Classified-Motherboard-Review/Features-and-Motherboard-Layout

Thanks for the advise, but I'd like to build a black/white config, and I was thinking about buying this mobo here:http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_Z97_MARK_S/ is it good?

It's a great board, but it will limit you too 8x8x for SLI. You may lose a few FPS because of it, but nothing serious. I did post another board that was a lot cheaper that has the PEX chip, but it's not black and white. Sorry.

Don't need to be sorry man! But thx anyway

 

[sincreator]

No you will be fine. Your friends say this because both cards will run SLI at 8x8x using PCIe 3.0 on MOST z97 based motherboards. This shouldn't be an issue though, but there are a few motherboards that have PEX chips, that will allow for 16x16x in dual card SLI or 8x8x8x8x for quad SLI. Have you bought a motherboard yet?

This is one of the boards that has a PLX PEX chip, but it may be expensive to buy: http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Motherboards/EVGA-Z97-Classified-Motherboard-Review/Features-and-Motherboard-Layout

Thanks for the advise, but I'd like to build a black/white config, and I was thinking about buying this mobo here:http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_Z97_MARK_S/ is it good?

It's a great board, but it will limit you too 8x8x for SLI. You may lose a few FPS because of it, but nothing serious. I did post another board that was a lot cheaper that has the PEX chip, but it's not black and white. Sorry.

Don't need to be sorry man! But thx anyway

The EVGA board I linked at first is pretty much black and white though and will give you 16x16x or 8x8x8x8x if you ever go for quad SLI...

 

[joaovitor12]

No you will be fine. Your friends say this because both cards will run SLI at 8x8x using PCIe 3.0 on MOST z97 based motherboards. This shouldn't be an issue though, but there are a few motherboards that have PEX chips, that will allow for 16x16x in dual card SLI or 8x8x8x8x for quad SLI. Have you bought a motherboard yet?

This is one of the boards that has a PLX PEX chip, but it may be expensive to buy: http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Motherboards/EVGA-Z97-Classified-Motherboard-Review/Features-and-Motherboard-Layout

Thanks for the advise, but I'd like to build a black/white config, and I was thinking about buying this mobo here:http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_Z97_MARK_S/ is it good?

It's a great board, but it will limit you too 8x8x for SLI. You may lose a few FPS because of it, but nothing serious. I did post another board that was a lot cheaper that has the PEX chip, but it's not black and white.

No you will be fine. Your friends say this because both cards will run SLI at 8x8x using PCIe 3.0 on MOST z97 based motherboards. This shouldn't be an issue though, but there are a few motherboards that have PEX chips, that will allow for 16x16x in dual card SLI or 8x8x8x8x for quad SLI. Have you bought a motherboard yet?

This is one of the boards that has a PLX PEX chip, but it may be expensive to buy: http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Motherboards/EVGA-Z97-Classified-Motherboard-Review/Features-and-Motherboard-Layout

Thanks for the advise, but I'd like to build a black/white config, and I was thinking about buying this mobo here:http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_Z97_MARK_S/ is it good?

It's a great board, but it will limit you too 8x8x for SLI. You may lose a few FPS because of it, but nothing serious. I did post another board that was a lot cheaper that has the PEX chip, but it's not black and white. Sorry.

Don't need to be sorry man! But thx anyway

The EVGA board I linked at first is pretty much black and white though and will give you 16x16x or 8x8x8x8x if you ever go for quad SLI...

Thats a beautiful motherboard too! Think I'll get this to have a better performance with my SLI. Thx

 

[sincreator]

No you will be fine. Your friends say this because both cards will run SLI at 8x8x using PCIe 3.0 on MOST z97 based motherboards. This shouldn't be an issue though, but there are a few motherboards that have PEX chips, that will allow for 16x16x in dual card SLI or 8x8x8x8x for quad SLI. Have you bought a motherboard yet?

This is one of the boards that has a PLX PEX chip, but it may be expensive to buy: http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Motherboards/EVGA-Z97-Classified-Motherboard-Review/Features-and-Motherboard-Layout

Thanks for the advise, but I'd like to build a black/white config, and I was thinking about buying this mobo here:http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_Z97_MARK_S/ is it good?

It's a great board, but it will limit you too 8x8x for SLI. You may lose a few FPS because of it, but nothing serious. I did post another board that was a lot cheaper that has the PEX chip, but it's not black and white.

No you will be fine. Your friends say this because both cards will run SLI at 8x8x using PCIe 3.0 on MOST z97 based motherboards. This shouldn't be an issue though, but there are a few motherboards that have PEX chips, that will allow for 16x16x in dual card SLI or 8x8x8x8x for quad SLI. Have you bought a motherboard yet?

This is one of the boards that has a PLX PEX chip, but it may be expensive to buy: http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Motherboards/EVGA-Z97-Classified-Motherboard-Review/Features-and-Motherboard-Layout

Thanks for the advise, but I'd like to build a black/white config, and I was thinking about buying this mobo here:http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_Z97_MARK_S/ is it good?

It's a great board, but it will limit you too 8x8x for SLI. You may lose a few FPS because of it, but nothing serious. I did post another board that was a lot cheaper that has the PEX chip, but it's not black and white. Sorry.

Don't need to be sorry man! But thx anyway

The EVGA board I linked at first is pretty much black and white though and will give you 16x16x or 8x8x8x8x if you ever go for quad SLI...

Thats a beautiful motherboard too! Think I'll get this to have a better performance with my SLI. Thx

The EVGA classified motherboards are usually rock solid, and they should be for their price, lol. Don't forget to pick a best answer. Thanks!