~Advice ~ Spec Check Pretty Please??

Borealis said:
The GTX970 doesn't need a cooler, no. Although you might see a small benefit at this stage, I'd advise you not to mess around removing GPU coolers if this is your first DIY build.

Some people do remove the stock cooler/backplate and fit an AIO or custom waterblock though. That's usually if they're OCing it and/or running SLI. If you OC the GPU it can get pretty toasty. Likewise, SLI setups get hot due to lack of airflow between the cards.
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I'd like to try OC'ing as this is the first time i'd have a build capable of such. Hence why im buying components like the 6600k.

Do you think i can OC the GPU much with the stock cooler that it comes with?
 
Which GTX970 are you getting? The card should handle a mild/moderate OC out of the box. For high/extreme OCs, custom water is the best method as a full cover (FC) water block will cover the GPU die as well as the VRMs and VRAM. AIO adapter brackets allow you to cool the die, but you end up having to add VRM/VRAM heatsinks.

Personally, I find GPU OCing harder than CPU OCing. Also, some manufacturers void your warranty if you remove the stock cooler.

Some cards OC better than others and like the CPU, you'll be playing with the silicon lottery again. No two 970s will be exactly the same.

When I had a Radeon 7950, I tried OCing it. It was stable, but my card had a bad cooler design, so the VRMs got way too hot, way too quickly. TBH, I didn't notice much difference in games.

With my 980Ti, I haven't bothered OCing it, as it does everything I want, straight out of the box. I've been running it for nearly a year now and it handles everything I play with ease at 1080p.
 
Imo go with the Raijintek Themis for now, it will allow you a decent OC, keeps cool & quiet and won't break the bank either. If you want to go further in the future then you can always swap it out for some fancier.
 
Borealis said:
Which GTX970 are you getting? The card should handle a mild/moderate OC out of the box. For high/extreme OCs, custom water is the best method as a full cover (FC) water block will cover the GPU die as well as the VRMs and VRAM. AIO adapter brackets allow you to cool the die, but you end up having to add VRM/VRAM heatsinks.

Personally, I find GPU OCing harder than CPU OCing. Also, some manufacturers void your warranty if you remove the stock cooler.

Some cards OC better than others and like the CPU, you'll be playing with the silicon lottery again. No two 970s will be exactly the same.

When I had a Radeon 7950, I tried OCing it. It was stable, but my card had a bad cooler design, so the VRMs got way too hot, way too quickly. TBH, I didn't notice much difference in games.

With my 980Ti, I haven't bothered OCing it, as it does everything I want, straight out of the box. I've been running it for nearly a year now and it handles everything I play with ease at 1080p.
Click to expand...

The card i went with was - EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SC GAMING ACX 2.0
I dont think ill add any additional cooling to the GPU for now based on the advice given.

Just gonna get a AIO for the CPU (i5 6600k).
Not sure which one though, maybe the H600 or H1200 Kuhler.

EDIT:
I'm also seriously considering forking out some extra money for https://www.overclockers.co.uk/nzxt-h440-new-2015-edition-case-matte-black-ca-172-nx.html
I was initially intending to spend around £60 but this looks pretty damn nice.
Would i need to purchase additional fans or will the ones that come with the case be fine?
 
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