Sanity Check on New X99 Build

Mikeey

Mikeey

Mikeey

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5 Mar 2009
Posts
304
Hi,

I'm looking to jump on the X99/DDR4 bandwagon and have put together a potential buylist. I would be really grateful if someone could sense-check it for me, before I click buy. The last computer I built was around 5 years ago and I'm still rocking an X58 mobo with i7 920, plus a GTX9800+ graphics card - embarrassing I know!!!

Please note that I'm holding off buying a graphics card until later this month when we know more about what Nvidia will be releasing regarding the 900 series graphics cards. I'm also holding off buying a monitor mainly because I haven't really settled on what one to go for (still torn between 34um95 or asus g sync one).

Anyway, here's my initial buylist....

Asus X99 Deluxe Motherboard
i7 5820k
Corsair Vengeance Black DDR4 (2800)
Corsair H110
Superflower Leadex 1000w
NZXT H440 (white)
2 x Samsung Evo 500gb

In terms of use, I plan on a stable overclock as much as possible and also plan to game on ultra settings. Admittedly I don't do any rendering and high intensity video work, so spec is overkill for my needs. That said, my current rig is getting on a bit now, and I would much rather future proof my new build as much as i can with new ddr4 technology. (Plus the cost difference between ddr3 vs ddr4 seems to be worth it IMO, even despite the high initial cost of ddr4 ram).

FWIW, I also plan on a hackintosh dual boot. Not sure whether this makes a difference or not, and it's not the be all and end all if X99 is not quite hackintosh ready at the moment.

Thanks.
 
If you're using this for gaming DDR4 is pointless, future-proofing never happens, and DDR3 will be more than adequate 10 years from now, look at DDR2 for instance, people still use it for gaming & it works.

16GB of fast DDR3 will be all the future proofing you'll require, even though games don't even use 2GB of RAM yet as most are 32bit executables.
 
X99 build for gaming?

..what a waste of money, not to mention processing power.

I shouldn't worry about your chosen parts, you obviously have the money to rectify any mistakes you make in your initial choices.
 
Thanks for your advice. My build won't be exclusively used just for gaming and as I said already, I know already that's it's overkill. I get that you can never future proof entirely, but surely DDR4 will see me well into the future more than DDR3 will?
 
The moment to purchase into new platforms is when the new platforms memory is about the same price as the previous platforms memory.

DDR 4 is currently about 80% more then DDR 3. When the difference is with-in 20% then all new builds should be based on DDR 4 but not before. That's unless you have a specific requirement for the number of cores, or express bus X99 offers.

By then there will likely be more energy efficient desktop CPU's based on DDR 4 also.
 
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I'm not particularly well versed on the x99 platform but AFAIK the 5820k has a limited number of PCI-E lanes meaning the SLI/XFire setups are compromised over what a 4790k/Z97 can offer.

Just a thought if it's solely for gaming...
 
Yes, I did read about the fewer PCI lanes with the 5820k, although I only plan on running a single graphics card, probably a 780ti or a single 9 series depending on how good they are when they come out later this month.

I have sinced spec'd myself a devils canyon z97 rig for around £500 cheaper, so I guess that's quite a bit I could put towards a decent graphics card and monitor.

In terms of benching, I'm assuming the 4790k is on parity with 5820k in terms of overclocking. (I'm striving for around 4.5ghz+).

Hmmm, decisions, decisions!
 
I think if you leave it for a few days you'll be questioning how you could justify an X99 build.

I very nearly pulled the trigger when I saw the MSI Krait x99 but then when you consider the actual gains...

Just go for an SLI 780ti 4790k and a spunky water loop :)
 
NoNameNoNumber said:
I'm not particularly well versed on the x99 platform but AFAIK the 5820k has a limited number of PCI-E lanes meaning the SLI/XFire setups are compromised over what a 4790k/Z97 can offer.

Just a thought if it's solely for gaming...
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Not quite right here, with a sli/cf set up using a 5820 the cards will run at X16 X8, where as on z97 both will run X8

If you plan on dual cards and x99 i'd suggest the 5930k and get the cheapest ddr4 ram possible, most possibly the crucial 2133 sticks, have seen a thread where a guy has clicked this to 2933mhz
 
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NoNameNoNumber said:
Fair enough nick :)
I thought z97 could do x16/x8

Either way the difference is negligible... Part from the £500 odd difference in price :D
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Sure they all only do x8x8 unless the particular board has a plx chip and yeah the difference is negligible. Yes the z97 platform is great for the price and will last a good while but i feel x99 will have the legs to go further.
 
My experience to date has been that Gigabyte MBs are much better for Hackintosh builds than Asus which can be a hassle. It's all new though with X99 so there'll be teething issues anyway I suspect with any Hackintosh dual-boot for a few months.
 
NoNameNoNumber said:
I think if you leave it for a few days you'll be questioning how you could justify an X99 build.

I very nearly pulled the trigger when I saw the MSI Krait x99 but then when you consider the actual gains...

Just go for an SLI 780ti 4790k and a spunky water loop :)
Click to expand...

Agreed! Overclock the 4790k and rock a 780ti and you won't regret it. I went for the EVGA 780ti classified and its quality!
 
Nickolp1974 said:
Sure they all only do x8x8 unless the particular board has a plx chip and yeah the difference is negligible. Yes the z97 platform is great for the price and will last a good while but i feel x99 will have the legs to go further.
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This, look at how long enthusiast platforms like the i7 900 series have been going, also the factory gimping of mainstream chips such as DC with rubbish thermal paste doesnt help when it comes to overclocking. The supposed cooler running 4790k is in fact hotter running than the 4770k it replaces.
 
arjgrundy said:
Agreed! Overclock the 4790k and rock a 780ti and you won't regret it. I went for the EVGA 780ti classified and its quality!
Click to expand...

Thanks. Yes, after considering all your advice I think I'm now going to revert to a Z97 mobo with devils canyon instead, plus a 780ti. Should be ample for my needs. I guess there are some Z87 mobos with BIOS updates that can take the 4790k right? If so, I may look into a Z87 mobos also.
 
Asus Z87 boards need at least bios 1504 beta to enable the use of DC chips such as the 4790k. Voltage on this bios is a bit high at stock so 1505 full release is better. Youll need an older haswell chip installed to flash the bios.
 
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