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970 SLI Build Help

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26 Feb 2010
Posts
287
Hi all I got informed yesterday that I was getting extra/bonus for Christmas that was not expected at all so now I'm debating if to spend the money on 970 SLI set up. Problem is as I wasn't expecting to be afford 970 SLI. I went with a non SLI supported motherboard and a 550W PSU. So I'm asking if someone could sort me out a build for a 970 SLI capable PSU and Micro ATX SLI Motherboard for use with my 4790K and 2 GTX 970 so I can see how much is it going to be versus simply just getting a 980.

Case is a Bit Fenix Phenom so length shouldn't be to much of a problem. Hehe going be annoying dismantling the entire thing just to get the CPU and ram out but if the cost is below £850 I might do it. As SLI 970 is meant be very impressive compared to a single 980.
 
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Looking at
Two MSI GTX 970
AS Rock Z97M OC Formula
EVGA SuperNova G2 750W '80 Plus Gold' Modular Power Supply

Would that work out well?

Along with the i7 4790K I would get out of my existing motherboard and my 4 sticks of 4GB 1866MHz Ram.
 
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What res do you play at?

At the moment 1080p on my Laptop haven't got a Gaming PC at moment. But I'm wanting to game at 1440p looking to get one of the upcoming 24/25 inch 1440P Screens did consider a Swift but can't just 650 for one when the Asus VX24AH is up for preorder at £300.
 
Hmm, the single 970 will be fine at 1440p, I'd try it out when you get the monitor and then see how you get on. A single 970 does play surprisingly well at 1440p
 
Honestly if I don't do this now I know I won't because a female will have spent the money on shoes or something. Basically I've seen from benchmarks that the 970 SLI does really well and should last me for years if I'm going do it I kind of need do it now. I kind of want do it proper before I start using system. Would the new motherboard and PSU work for SLI or not?
 
It will yep, just make sure the SLI setup fits into your case. Also, I'd try and go for a gigabyte motherboard as they have the best warranty and support. What card do you have currently?
 
It will yep, just make sure the SLI setup fits into your case. Also, I'd try and go for a gigabyte motherboard as they have the best warranty and support. What card do you have currently?

I have a Bit Fenix Phenom case it's meant to support SLI so hopefully it will fit. Don't have any card at present as coming from a Gaming Laptop that is really beginning to show its age now.

Was looking at getting two MSI GTX 970 but also considering two Galaxy HOF 970 you have any advice on which to get?
 
For SLI in a small case get blower coolers ideally

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-205-OK

They have blower coolers which essentially blow the air out of the back instead of "dumping" air into the case like most other coolers
The OcUK one's do carry a premium, but are well worth it. However, some cheaper, lower quality but still blower-style coolers

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-013-PL&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1010
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-001-GX&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1010


A single 980 might also be a good idea... less heat etc dumped into the case
 
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A Phenom case has a grill at the top wouldn't the air just go out of there anyway? As the Graphics are right at the top of the case pointing towards the top. Though I might be misunderstanding what you are saying those are about the price of the GTX 970 HOF I was considering as well.
 
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Ah okay clearly that shows that it definitely is possible to build a SLI build with my case so that is good.

So just to check
i7 4790K
16GB 1866MHz Ram
Asrock Z97M OC Formula Intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard
2xGTX 970 Cooler Design
EVGA 850W Gold

Will get me a solid rig?
 
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Ok, basically the blower coolers get the air from inside the case and blow it out of the back of the card where the grilles are and the display output ports are

The open fan designs dump air into the case (e.g. the HOF you showed), so the hot air is still in the case and is not ejected out of the back. For larger cases this is a better solution as there is nearly always good airflow, however with your case the BLOWER style cooler which ejects air out of the back will run slightly hotter, but is a better design for smaller chassis

You could get away with the EVGA 750W Gold, and also try and go for a Gigabyte motherboard;
YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte Z97MX-Gaming 5 Intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £111.95
Total : £121.55 (includes shipping : £8.00).



Supports SLI, the best warranty + support of any motherboard manufacturer
 
Ah thanks for the explanation that does make sense will pay the extra for those cards. Would you recommend a different PSU? Current price is 850 for everything, 860 if I buy the Gigabyte which is pushing how much I really wanted spend. I really wish I had known about bonus I wouldn't of brought the Corsair RM550 or Gigabyte Z97M-D3H would have saved myself a bit of money.
 
Yeah and a few quid for the new thermal compound and cleaning fluid. This is a massive purchase for me definitely certainly hope this is going last me a while.
 
Speaking on another forum at moment and getting sent messages that I should get a 1080p g sync monitor surely 2x970 would smash 1080p even on absolute max settings. I honestly would be surprised if it struggled on 1440P.
 
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