New build: Z97 vs X99

[BorisTheAnimal]

Hiya ho,

I've been thinking about upgrading my current system though it is still a maybe. Now I know from experience that the first question that will be roared in my face is "why?" and I guess my answer to that would be a whisper about that I have noticed lag in programs and games.

Now I asked this same question on another forum where most users wanted to impale my balls on some sticks because they just thought it was the worst idea in the history of computer upgrading.

But it would be nice if someone could list some pros&cons between X99 and Z97. For example the biggest con with x99 would be that I would need to spend like at least 1.6k or maybe even more for just the motherboard, cpu and ram. If I decided to go with z97 then the cost would be the same but I could mash in a gpu(980/980Ti).

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Well being I'm building a x99 Sabertooth system I can say first hand it is expensive
And I mean everything.
Just ram alone might be a wild tour and kidney selling for ddr4

But ultimately processors i7 5960x ouch 1k 8 core
I settled on the i7 5930k at 500.us which everywhere else showed 600.us 6 core
then there's the 5920k ? which is a 4 core not actually worth putting on a x99 board imho. can't remember the cost of it though ?

Just check your pocket book and flip a coin

This was my first build so I have a joke of a system anyway so a I doubled down from a z87 or z97 because well I'm kind of stupid and didn't mine spending the cash = see pocket book options

Either way the z87 are almost free @99.00$ at Amazon...
Not sure about the z97's ?

 

[Layback Bear]

Well I have been doing a little research also and the big two things I'm thinking; one is price and some problems they are having at times. Both of these are probably because the X99 and what goes with it is are so new.

When I checked a few week ago all motherboards were having problems but I think they will be solved with time and bios and chip set updates.

When I built the system in my System Specs I went through hell with the cpu and motherboard.

When I did my research the motherboard and the 4820-E were compatible.
After back and forth with Asus and Intel changed their site. The bios would not work with a 4820-E. They now have a 4820-K that will work with the motherboard.
I don't think you can get the 4820-E any more.

To make my motherboard work with my 4820-E Asus replaced the motherboard with the same motherboard with Xeon chipset and Bios installed. This problem was because I bought the Intel cpu 4820-E when it first came out and was not completely tested to match the motherboard.

So the best advice I can give is just wait a little while until all the bugs are worked out or you could have a lot of headaches. After Asus took care of the motherboard problem the system works great.
It took me, Intel, Asus and my local Intel dealer about 5 week to work this problem out.

Check this out for a non Xeon cpu.

 

[AddRAM]

Well, everything about building an X99 rig is expensive.

You can get a Sabertooth Z87 and 4790K and be rockin, there is no point in getting a Z97, because they will not put out any desktop Broadwell cpu`s

If you want you can wait for Skylake and Z100.

 

[ThrashZone]

Well I have been doing a little research also and the big two things I'm thinking; one is price and some problems they are having at times. Both of these are probably because the X99 and what goes with it is are so new.

When I checked a few week ago all motherboards were having problems but I think they will be solved with time and bios and chip set updates.

When I built the system in my System Specs I went through hell with the cpu and motherboard.

When I did my research the motherboard and the 4820-E were compatible.
After back and forth with Asus and Intel changed their site. The bios would not work with a 4820-E. They now have a 4820-K that will work with the motherboard.
I don't think you can get the 4820-E any more.

To make my motherboard work with my 4820-E Asus replaced the motherboard with the same motherboard with Xeon chipset and Bios installed. This problem was because I bought the Intel cpu 4820-E when it first came out and was not completely tested to match the motherboard.

So the best advice I can give is just wait a little while until all the bugs are worked out or you could have a lot of headaches. After Asus took care of the motherboard problem the system works great.
It took me, Intel, Asus and my local Intel dealer about 5 week to work this problem out.

Check this out for a non Xeon cpu.

View attachment 361209

That doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy inside

 

[BorisTheAnimal]

Well, everything about building an X99 rig is expensive.

You can get a Sabertooth Z87 and 4790K and be rockin, there is no point in getting a Z97, because they will not put out any desktop Broadwell cpu`s

If you want you can wait for Skylake and Z100.

Does Skylake bring anything new to the table? And is it for like gaming/multimedia use?

 

[ThrashZone]

Here's a thread that might have some info
http://www.sevenforums.com/pc-custom-builds-overclocking/367959-skylake-processor-skus-leaked.html

 

[Layback Bear]

That is a great question Boris!

New is not always better. Sometimes they offer things that one doesn't want or need.

 

[BorisTheAnimal]

Here's a thread that might have some info
http://www.sevenforums.com/pc-custom-builds-overclocking/367959-skylake-processor-skus-leaked.html

Thanks mate.

That is a great question Boris!

New is not always better. Sometimes they offer things that one doesn't want or need.

Yeah and I mean I just wanna be sure that I use my money on the right stuff. Though I think that X99 is somewhat out of my reach unless the prices were to drop.

 

[ThrashZone]

If you can wait another few weeks I'll let you know how well the integration goes with mine,
Hopefully it go smoother than Jack's did for him and x79

Board wise +- it all depends man if you want the latest....
I don't plan on upgrading or building another system for some time 5-6 years
All my upgrades are now not later although gpu's are up for grabs and easily upgradable I'm just unsure about spending 1100.us on one now when a lot of cheaper alternatives are here now :/
I have till the 9th to pick up the Titan x hybrid from UPS or it goes back to sender undelivered.

 

[Layback Bear]

The hell didn't stop there.
I had to buy 32 gb of G-Skill to find 16 gb that would work. They wouldn't warranty the ram that was only a few weeks old.

Needless to say I don't recommend buying G-Skill ram.
The good thing is when I got done the system works great.

 

[ThrashZone]

Ha I message you about what's up with G-Skill notation in your system spec's and you didn't reply
I went Corsair but was interested in the why you didn't recommend them = now I know

 

[Layback Bear]

I looked through my VM's and PM's received and I don't see your message.

 

[ThrashZone]

It was just a profile message not a pm so :/
No problem I took it to heart and didn't use G-Skill
Your a wise Bear so no need to question

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

One advantage to an X99 system is you probably wouldn't need to upgrade for quite some time. The downside is it will be seriously expensive. You could easily wind up spending as much, if not more, for the DDR4 RAM as you would on a Z97 system. Those little sticks must be made of platinum plated gold.

For just gaming, an X99 system would probably be overkill unless you want to run quad GPUs. At that point, be prepared to mortgage the homestead and sell your kidneys, liver, and first born.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hee-hee well I did already get the ram 4x4gb it wasn't too bad only 100 more than G-Skill was
Corsair 280.
Dominator® Platinum Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4 DRAM 2666MHz C16 Memory Kit (CMD16GX4M4A2666C16)
So not quite the cost of the board I believe it was 325.?
Amazon.com: Asus Sabertooth X99 ATX DDR4 3000 (o.c.) Intel LGA 2011-v3 Motherboards: Electronics
Only 20 left in stock better hurry 309.

 

[Layback Bear]

My next ram will be Corsair. Yes it cost more but cost isn't everything. Considering I can only use have of the G-Skell I bought 16 gig of Corsair it would of cost less.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I've never had anything from Kingston fail on me, be it RAM, SD cards, or USB sticks (2.0 and 3.0). They also have a lifetime guarantee on most of their products.

 

[AddRAM]

There`s nothing wrong with what you have for gaming, except maybe 3 things.

1 You need a decent set of ram, I had 16 GB of Corsair Vengeance 1600 MHz running at 1866 just fine on that board. Get yourself a good set of 1866, either a 4x4 or 2x8 kit of Corsair Vengeance or GSkill Trident X.
2 You need a 980, 970`s have known memory issues.
3 Where do you have Windows ? On the Kingston or the Crucial ssd ? The Kingston is too small.


The 3570K is absolutely fine.

2x8 Vengeance® â

4x4 Vengeance® â

TridentX - 16GB (8GBx2) 1.60v Dual Channel DDR3 Memory kit (F3-1866C8D-16GTX) - G.SKILL Memory

or a 4x4 16 GB 2400 MHz kit will work great too.

TridentX - F3-2400C10Q-16GTX - G.SKILL DDR3 Memory

 

[ThrashZone]

My next ram will be Corsair. Yes it cost more but cost isn't everything. Considering I can only use have of the G-Skell I bought 16 gig of Corsair it would of cost less.

Yea hopefully I used a sweet spot on the 2666mhz ?
I guess I can always dial it down to 2400mhz not sure how but I guess that's included in the fun part of tweaking
The testing stat's by I believe ASUS used Corsair so I figured it was a better choice to stay in that brand ?

CPU wise of course the stat's came from the i7 5960x @ 1k.us out of my budget but that I suppose is a later upgrade along with Oh yea Add"More"Ram
Probably only 2 more sticks though 2x4gb