New PC build, please help with few questions.

Skyforger · 9 Aug 2014 at 18:49

Hi, im Kris been decided to upgrade pc and have started researching components i want to buy, got few questions and not quite sure what motherboard to get and what kind of ram.

So far list is:

CPU: i7 4790k (Possible Broadwell in the future)
GPU: Nvidia GTX 880 (Possible SLI in the future)
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97 (undecided witch one to pick)
RAM: ?

What i want for this PC is to overclock it to a stable as high as possible clock, im not a OC freak but i like to get maximum from my hardware.
Im looking for longevity of components too and upgrade-ability in the future, like the M.2 port, do i really need that ?

Witch motherboard to pick ? the price difference is quite big, but would i benefit from the few extras on the high end Gigabyte Z97 motherboards.

RAM: im completely clueless, i see no reason needing 32GB so i think 12GB would do fine, but i want best ones for money and the highest speeds.

Thanks.

stulid · 9 Aug 2014 at 18:51

Here are two options,

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i7-4790K 4.00GHz (Devil's Canyon) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £269.99
1 x Gigabyte Z97X-SOC Force Intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard **Overclockers UK Exclusive** £169.99
Total : £449.58 (includes shipping : £8.00).

The board comes with free 8GB of 2400MHz CAS11 RAM.

Or a complete bundle,

YOUR BASKET
1 x EPIC POWER BUNDLE: Intel 4790K, Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 7, Kingston 16GB 2400MHz Kit, Superflower 1000W Platinum PSU & FREE STUFF!! **£50 SAVING** £641.96
Total : £651.56 (includes shipping : £8.00).

Which includes a big PSU for SLI.

Skyforger · 9 Aug 2014 at 19:03

How does Gigabyte Z97X-SOC compares to Gigabyte Z97X Black Edition ?
Is there a web page comparing all of the Gigabyte Z97 ?
Is OC version notch better than Gaming 7 ?

stulid · 9 Aug 2014 at 19:07

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/comparison/list.aspx?ck=2&pids=5102,4949,4959

Handy utility that can compare motherboard features side by side.

The SOC Force is an overclockers board, it has OC touch to do easy overclocking on the fly, more tuned BIOS for better RAM tuning and extreme speeds.

The Black Editions have a 5 year warranty if you register them and they have been tested for 168hrs at the factory.

The Gaming range are more "mainstream" and carry a 4 year warranty if registered (3 without).