New Computer Build Recommendations? (i7-4790k, MSI Z97 Gaming 5, 16GB RAM, GTX 970 FTW)

[yangyang]

Hello! I'm excited to be assembling a new desktop computer. I have outgrown the capabilities of my current desktop:
CPU-AMD Phenom(tm) 9750 Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard-ECS IC780M-A
Memory-Kingston DDR2 4096 MB Frequency 399.1 MHz CAS# Latency (CL) 5.0
Graphics-EVGA GTX 550 Ti

This is the current parts list for my new build:
CPU-Intel i7-4790k
Motherboard-MSI Z97 Gaming 5
Memory-G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866
Graphics-EVGA GTX 970 FTW

I plan to use parts from my current build in my new build. This will save me the trouble (and $$$) of purchasing a new case and harddrive. Unfortunately, there are a few questions that I'm unable to answer. They are numbered below for your convenience. Please answer the ones you know, I truly appreciate it!

(1) Does the i7-4790k include a cooler?
(2) Can my current EVGA GTX 550 Ti be used as a Physx processor for the new build?
(3) Are there any foreseeable bottlenecks in the new system?
(4) How future-proof is the system for Photoshop/Adobe Suite, Autodesk 3DS Max/Maya, and rendering? (I don't play games)
(5) The parts I've selected are very expensive at the moment. They have all increased in price for some reason. Are manufactures preparing to release new specifications following Broadwell and DDR4 soon?

This new build provides a good starting point for future upgrades. I can add another GTX 970 (or 2!) when prices drop in the future. I also plan on upgrading to Windows 7 Pro and purchasing 16 GB of additional memory (32GB total). Finally, I have a very finicky 500GB 7200RPM hard drive that needs to be replaced soon. Two 128 GB SSDs in RAID 0 should work well.

What do you think about my planned build and specs? Any thoughts will be read and taken into consideration.

 

[RunLuke]

1: Yes
2: No
3: If you buy SSD's: NO
4: Pretty good for those needs, more ram is always good, Creative Suite maxes out my 16Gb running PS, Premiere and AE at the same time.
5: Specifications? Like prices? Maybe, I have no idea, maybe someone else does.

 

[MasterMace]

You should correct your OP to state the 4790k. There is no 4970k, but there is a 4960x, which costs a g.

 

[babernet_1]

1. To make use of the overclocking you need a custom cooler. Cooler master Hyper 212 evo at a minimum up to something like a Noctua NH-U12S.

2. Pretty pathetic graphics card compared to a 970. Probably faster using the 970 but you can try it.

3. Not really.

4. You would need a Haswell E for best future proofing.

5 ?

 

[yangyang]

1: Yes
2: No
3: If you buy SSD's: NO
4: Pretty good for those needs, more ram is always good, Creative Suite maxes out my 16Gb running PS, Premiere and AE at the same time.
5: Specifications? Like prices? Maybe, I have no idea, maybe someone else does.

You should correct your OP to state the 4790k. There is no 4970k, but there is a 4960x, which costs a g.

Thanks for catching that, FIXED!

 

[yangyang]

Thanks everyone for their contribution. I've received the components of my system and figured out the answers to my questions.
1. The i7-4790k includes Intel's stock cooler.
2. The EVGA GTX 550Ti can be used as a Physx processor. Nearly all Nvidia processors going back to the 8000 series can be used as a Physx processor.
3. The one forseeable bottleneck was my 7200RPM harddrive. I have since upgraded that to an SSD.
4. The system is "future-proofed" for the next 5 years. I've reverted back to Adobe CS6 after testing out CC (horrible BTW) so I'm already 2 years behind on technology. Thank goodness Autodesk software has to run on XP and Pentiums, that means my hardware will be adequate for a while.
5. We are currently in the lame duck period between a MAJOR transition from DDR3 to DDR4 memory. Expect DDR3 prices to drop precipitously early next year as the top 4 memory manufactures turn production to DDR4. Snap up as much memory as possible during this time or you will regret it. After DDR3 is sold off, it will be made extremely expensive by retailers to encourage consumers to purchase DDR4 memory.

This really helped me, hope it helped you too!

 

[babernet_1]

Thanks everyone for their contribution. I've received the components of my system and figured out the answers to my questions.
1. The i7-4790k includes Intel's stock cooler.
2. The EVGA GTX 550Ti can be used as a Physx processor. Nearly all Nvidia processors going back to the 8000 series can be used as a Physx processor.
3. The one forseeable bottleneck was my 7200RPM harddrive. I have since upgraded that to an SSD.
4. The system is "future-proofed" for the next 5 years. I've reverted back to Adobe CS6 after testing out CC (horrible BTW) so I'm already 2 years behind on technology. Thank goodness Autodesk software has to run on XP and Pentiums, that means my hardware will be adequate for a while.
5. We are currently in the lame duck period between a MAJOR transition from DDR3 to DDR4 memory. Expect DDR3 prices to drop precipitously early next year as the top 4 memory manufactures turn production to DDR4. Snap up as much memory as possible during this time or you will regret it. After DDR3 is sold off, it will be made extremely expensive by retailers to encourage consumers to purchase DDR4 memory.

This really helped me, hope it helped you too!

Okay, but the stock cooler can barely handle the 4790K running at 4GHz. You should probably get a custom cooler for more reliable operation let alone overclocking. Also, many times it is faster, if you have a very fast graphics card, to use it for double duty as a physics processor than adding a much slower card like the 550ti. Try it both ways and let us know.