Z97 vs x79 chipset

[_Epix_]

Hello, Yodas of the PC world, im building a PC and im not sure which chipset to go with. Im stuck between a i7 4790k (z97) and a i7 4820k (x79). The main usage of this PC is gaming, but I also do some video recording/editing/rendering. Can you guys help me decide which CPU to get and also which motherboard to get for each CPU?

Thanks 😀

 

[ksham]

Z97 would be a much cheaper route and more than sufficient.

As for motherboards, what case is it going into?

 

[_Epix_]

Z97 would be a much cheaper route and more than sufficient.

As for motherboards, what case is it going into?

Like the PC case? Im planning to get a Corsair 450D.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... http://www.cpubenchmark.net/common_cpus.html It al depends on what extra's your plugging into the MB for your needs.
Price vs Performance for me was E3-1240 v2 Gigabyte Q77. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Xeon-Quad-Core-Hyper-threaded-Processor-E3-1240V2-3-4-GHz-8-MB-Cache-SR0P5-/111386235198?pt=CPUs&hash=item19ef23113e http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?p=MB-Q77MD2H&c=fr&pid=01ca8023d9b0c8ed080c0c307950dfbd618f7d8691ff76b02abbb06bc7cdcc37&gclid=CPuU6rSwrr8CFUYA7AodIG4Axw

 

[mapesdhs]

It's not worth getting X79 unless you pair it with a 6-core CPU.

However, I feel obliged to point out that used 3930K/3960X CPUs are now selling for the same or
less than a new 4820K, so you could go X79 and buy a used CPU (I've bought several recently).

But if your main usage is gaming, then ksham is right, a 4790K would be better.

As for the mbd, do you intend to only ever have one GPU? Or do you want to be able to
add a 2nd for SLI/CF in the future? If possible I'd recommend a board with tri-slot spacing
for better cooling.

I specialise in X79 builds, but for gaming I'd go Z97, 4790K, H100i with 4 good fans (eg.
Nanoxia DS 120mm PWM), two GTX 780 Ti, something like the ASUS Maximus VII Ranger
or related ROG board, 16GB GSkill TridentX 2400, 840/850 Pro 256GB C-drive.

Ian.

 

[ksham]

Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 3

 

[_Epix_]

It's not worth getting X79 unless you pair it with a 6-core CPU.

However, I feel obliged to point out that used 3930K/3960X CPUs are now selling for the same or
less than a new 4820K, so you get go X79 and buy a used CPU (I've bought several recently).

But if your main usage is gaming, then ksham is right, a 4790K would be better.

As for the mbd, do you intend to only ever have one GPU? Or do you want to be able to
add a 2nd for SLI/CF in the future? If possible I'd recommend a board with tri-slot spacing
for better cooling.

I specialise in X79 builds, but for gaming I'd go Z97, 4790K, H100i with 4 good fans (eg.
Nanoxia DS 120mm PWM), two GTX 780 Ti, something like the ASUS Maximums VII Ranger
or related ROG board, 16GB GSkill TridentX 2400, 840/850 Pro 256GB C-drive.

Ian.

Thanks for the reply, for the SLI/CF thing, im not sure, maybe will SLI in the future.... And that build... im not that rich xD no cash for two 780Ti

 

[_Epix_]

Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 3

Umm, I was eyeing the Asrock Z97 OC Formula for the i7 4790k, I like the yellow color scheme and it OCs well, should I get that or go with a cheaper motherboard?

 

[ksham]

If you like it, get it. Too expensive for me though. I don't know of another motherboard with that color scheme to be honest.

 

[mapesdhs]

Thanks for the reply, for the SLI/CF thing, im not sure, maybe will SLI in the future.... And that build... im not that rich xD no cash for two 780Ti

You didn't mention a budget level. ;D

I couldn't afford 780 Tis either, so I built a P67 rig with used parts, GPU power better than a 780
at much less cost (2700K @ 5GHz, ASUS M4E, two GTX 580 3GB SLI).

Re mbd brand, I've used many boards, and I do like what Asrock does, but overall I have to give
the nod to ASUS here. Their ROG series has such excellent BIOS design and oc potential.
I have various Gigabyte boards, never been impressed with their BIOS setups.

Just did some snooping about, yep I'd say either the ASUS Maximus VII Ranger or the Hero
which has extra storage features, etc.

Ian.

 

[_Epix_]

If you like it, get it. Too expensive for me though. I don't know of another motherboard with that color scheme to be honest.

Unfortunately, they do not sell the z97 version of that motherboard yet where im living, will the z87 version affect the performance or the overclocking ability?

 

[_Epix_]

If you like it, get it. Too expensive for me though. I don't know of another motherboard with that color scheme to be honest.

Gigabyte Z87x UD5h is also yellow/silver but im not sure which one is better.....

Unfortunately, they do not sell the z97 version of that motherboard yet where im living, will the z87 version affect the performance or the overclocking ability?

 

[ksham]

While I suggest Z97 just for future support, Z87 is fine. In fact, it's a bit better in OC performance because its VRMs are better in Z87. Gigabyte nerfed it a bit on the Z97 version. Only for the UD3H - UD5H though.

 

[_Epix_]

While I suggest Z97 just for future support, Z87 is fine. In fact, it's a bit better in OC performance because its VRMs are better in Z87. Gigabyte nerfed it a bit on the Z97 version. Only for the UD3H - UD5H though.

Nerfed it? How?

 

[ksham]

They reduced the VRMs on it.

 

[_Epix_]

So, I decided to go for the Z97, i7 4790k for my PC and the Asrock Z87 OC Formula. I would like to thank @ksham, @Ironsounds and @mapesdhs for the quick replies and the time to help a clueless guy who wants to build a PC. Thanks 😀

 

[ksham]

Err.. any reason you're going with the ASRock Z87 OC Formula instead of the Z97 version?