Upgrading Motherboared / CPU+Cooling

[VincentiusIV]

Hi there,

 

I look to upgrade my computer.

I have this setup a.t.m.:

• CPU : FX-8320
• CPU Cooler: Scythe Mugen 4 PCGH-Edition
• MB: ASrock 970 Extreme3 
• RAM: 2x4GB Corsair Vengeance High Profile 1600Mhz
• GPU: ASUS DirectCU II R9 290
• SSD: OCZ Vector 150 248GB
• HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM
• PSU: Corsair RM750
• Case: Antec Three Hundred Two

I have upgraded some of the components overtime, but the oldest ones are the CPU, MB , RAM and the case.

While these components are great, i feel like the FX-8320 is falling a little behind in combination with the R9 290. I have seen people with better results when combining this GPU with an 4th gen i5 or i7 intel processor.

 

Moving on to the motherboard. While it did the job for the FX-8320, when it comes to overclocking i only got 3.7 Ghz Stable overclock with 1.2875 CPU Voltage. Yeah... not so great.

When i turned the Voltage down, i got blue sceens with Prime95 in the first minutes. And when going higher it was the same story. @3.5Ghz base clock the Voltage was set to 1.32 Volt (factory settings). So it took me a while to finetune the perfect voltage for this CPU and MB Combo.

 

Also the cooler is great, but i want something more visually appealing like an AiO Liquid Cooler. This is because i want to get a chassis with a side window. 

 

I also want to get a new chassis with a side window, many features such as good airflow for optimized cooling. and the PSU needs to be hidden. I absolutely hate the RM's design. But its very quiet and efficient.

 

My Budget for this upgrade is a rough 12 to 1300 Euro's (around 1600 dollars)

 

Remember:

The motherboard has to be optimized for overclocking.

This PC is mainly used for Coding (JAVA, C++, HTML, etc.) and Gaming.

The Whole Computer needs to look good. I was thinking about a orange/black // red/black // blue/black theme.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

-VincentiusIV

 

 

 

 

 

[Faceman]

@VincentiusIV

 

Hello and welcome to the forum.  You have quiet a large budget to work with, lets get started!

 

CPU: i7-4790k

Motherboard: Asus Z97-AR

PSU:  EVGA SuperNOVA G2 850W

Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro w/ Window

CPU Cooler:  Cooler Master Seidon 240M // Corsair H105(Stay away from H100i, really bad mounting) // Swiftech H220X // Kraken X61

 

You don't really have to upgrade your PSU, but if you want, the EVGA Supernova is a very good option. It is just as quiet if not more quiet,  uses the same <50% no-fan design, comes with all black, fully modular cables, and a 10 year warranty.  It also uses much better inside components than the RM Series.

 

Motherboard doesn't have an impact on overclocking performance like it does with AMD.  The results you get are going to be completely dependent upon the chip you get, often referred to as silicon lottery.  Motherboard on Intel's side is all about features.  Find a motherboard that has the specific features that you want.  A lot of the "gaming" motherboards are purely marketing, they are charging you a lot more for zero performance gains, and minimal feature upgrades.  Things like 8 SATA ports compared to 4 or 6 should not equal $50 more in price.

 

Processor is easy, go for the i7-4790k.  If you want to save some money, go for the i5.

 

CPU Cooler is a little bit tricky.  Because of the silicon lottery, it is a good idea to start off with a less expensive air cooler, just use the one you already have.  Figure out what kind of overclocking chip you have before investing a lot of money on a CPU Cooler.  Reason being is that sometimes, no matter how good of cooling and temperatures you have, your CPU just doesn't overclock worth a damn.  Make sure that temperatures are the only thing holding you back from a higher overclock before investing too much money on a CPU cooler.

 

The Phanteks Enthoo Pro is probably the hottest case on the market today.  Its design is incredible, it is very well built, and has the sleek and hidden look that you are probably looking for.  All while costing very little money.  Check out this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBhmn21ylkc

[Prömetheus]

Why you even need to upgrade? That rig is already awesome! Also there is no bottleneck between the GPU and the CPU. I think you should just go with another R9 290.

[dragoon20005]

@Faceman has a point here

 

the FX while great as a price/performance rig now really lack behind Intel by quite a big gap in terms of single core performance

 

even if you are able to OC your CPU to crazy speeds

 

it can only come close to the i5 core 4670K/4690K but the Intel will run much cooler and if the Intel was OCed to the same speed as the FX

 

it will just drop bombs on the AMD FX

 

if you want to extract more performance out of your 290

 

consider picking up the G10 and Kraken X31 AIO cooler which some RAM heatsinks to watercool your 290 for even further OC

[Faceman]

Why you even need to upgrade? That rig is already awesome! Also there is no bottleneck between the GPU and the CPU. I think you should just go with another R9 290.

The FX8 already bottlenecks a single R9 290, a 2nd R9 290 will bottleneck even further.

[Prömetheus]

The FX8 already bottlenecks a single R9 290, a 2nd R9 290 will bottleneck even further.

It's not even bottlenecking a 780Ti...

[Faceman]

It's not even bottlenecking a 780Ti...

It is.  While you may not see it on a 60Hz monitor, doesn't mean the bottleneck is not there.

 

Allow me to give you some examples:

 

Cinebench:

An FX8350 @ 4.8Ghz paired with an R9 290X doesn't even hit 100fps(98fps to be exact) during the GPU portion of the test.

An i5-4670k @ Stock 3.4Ghz paired with an R9 290X is getting 120fps during the GPU portion of the test.

 

Firestrike:

An FX8350 @ 4.8Ghz with an R9 290X heavily overclocked scores 9,000.  This is the achievement Firestrike gives for that setup:

"

Brawn

Your GPU is ready to rumble, but your CPU doesn't want to play."

 

An i5-4670k @ Stock 3.4Ghz paired with an R9 290X at the same overclocked speeds scores 11,000.  It does not get the "CPU doesn't want to play" achievement.

[VincentiusIV]

@VincentiusIV

 

Hello and welcome to the forum.  You have quiet a large budget to work with, lets get started!

 

CPU: i7-4790k

Motherboard: Asus Z97-AR

PSU:  EVGA SuperNOVA G2 850W

Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro w/ Window

CPU Cooler:  Cooler Master Seidon 240M // Corsair H105(Stay away from H100i, really bad mounting) // Swiftech H220X // Kraken X61

 

You don't really have to upgrade your PSU, but if you want, the EVGA Supernova is a very good option. It is just as quiet if not more quiet,  uses the same <50% no-fan design, comes with all black, fully modular cables, and a 10 year warranty.  It also uses much better inside components than the RM Series.

 

Motherboard doesn't have an impact on overclocking performance like it does with AMD.  The results you get are going to be completely dependent upon the chip you get, often referred to as silicon lottery.  Motherboard on Intel's side is all about features.  Find a motherboard that has the specific features that you want.  A lot of the "gaming" motherboards are purely marketing, they are charging you a lot more for zero performance gains, and minimal feature upgrades.  Things like 8 SATA ports compared to 4 or 6 should not equal $50 more in price.

 

Processor is easy, go for the i7-4790k.  If you want to save some money, go for the i5.

 

CPU Cooler is a little bit tricky.  Because of the silicon lottery, it is a good idea to start off with a less expensive air cooler, just use the one you already have.  Figure out what kind of overclocking chip you have before investing a lot of money on a CPU Cooler.  Reason being is that sometimes, no matter how good of cooling and temperatures you have, your CPU just doesn't overclock worth a damn.  Make sure that temperatures are the only thing holding you back from a higher overclock before investing too much money on a CPU cooler.

 

The Phanteks Enthoo Pro is probably the hottest case on the market today.  Its design is incredible, it is very well built, and has the sleek and hidden look that you are probably looking for.  All while costing very little money.  Check out this video:

Wow , didnt know it could be THIS cheap. Well cheap, erm , compared to my budget it is. 

I do realy love this case and i have seen the video before. Actually i've seen almost every chassis review from hardwarecanucks but couldn't realy decide wich one.

The only designs i absolutely loved were the Enthoo Pro, Luxe, Primo and NZXT h440. But the NZXT H440 kinda fell off when it comes to air flow. I rather buy a phanteks case, and order some extra noise dampening foam.

With a rough 600 euro's left i could add another OCZ Vector 150 and combine it in raid 0.

 

Also i've read many dutch pc magazines, and alot of them have done the 'z97 motherboard test, wich is the best' type of thing. And when it comes to overclocking, most of them advice buying a Gigabyte Z97 SOC-Force. But i absolutely hate the looks from that board.

[VincentiusIV]

It is.  While you may not see it on a 60Hz monitor, doesn't mean the bottleneck is not there.

 

Allow me to give you some examples:

 

Cinebench:

An FX8350 @ 4.8Ghz paired with an R9 290X doesn't even hit 100fps(98fps to be exact) during the GPU portion of the test.

An i5-4670k @ Stock 3.4Ghz paired with an R9 290X is getting 120fps during the GPU portion of the test.

 

Firestrike:

An FX8350 @ 4.8Ghz with an R9 290X heavily overclocked scores 9,000.  This is the achievement Firestrike gives for that setup:

"

Brawn

Your GPU is ready to rumble, but your CPU doesn't want to play."

 

An i5-4670k @ Stock 3.4Ghz paired with an R9 290X at the same overclocked speeds scores 11,000.  It does not get the "CPU doesn't want to play" achievement.

I have a ASUS VG248QE 144hz monitor, and i could notice it when i upgraded from a 60hz model. 

[dragoon20005]

-snip-

the board which Faceman suggested is a nice board

 

if you hate the looks of the Gigabyte

 

you can look at MSI or Asrock Z97 boards

 

you can pick the Blue/Brown or their Red/Black gaming theme board like the MSI Gaming 5

 

mobo don't really impact performance 

 

any Z97 can OC, so it down to CPU

[Faceman]

Wow , didnt know it could be THIS cheap. Well cheap, erm , compared to my budget it is. 

I do realy love this case and i have seen the video before. Actually i've seen almost every chassis review from hardwarecanucks but couldn't realy decide wich one.

The only designs i absolutely loved were the Enthoo Pro, Luxe, Primo and NZXT h440. But the NZXT H440 kinda fell off when it comes to air flow. I rather buy a phanteks case, and order some extra noise dampening foam.

With a rough 600 euro's left i could add another OCZ Vector 150 and combine it in raid 0.

 

Also i've read many dutch pc magazines, and alot of them have done the 'z97 motherboard test, wich is the best' type of thing. And when it comes to overclocking, most of them advice buying a Gigabyte Z97 SOC-Force. But i absolutely hate the looks from that board.

Go with the Z97-AR, I personally think the motherboard looks beautiful, and it comes with Asus' legendary BIOS and Fan Xpert III.  The only downside of the AR is that it only has 4 SATA Ports.  I don't know how many you need, but based on your current specs, 4 will be enough, even if you add a 2nd SSD to get Raid 0.

 

In terms of overclocking, that is rubbish.  The overclocking results you get are completely dependent upon the chip and not the motherboard.  Your overclock results will be the same regardless of motherboard.  Also, I have heard a lot of bad things about Gigabyte's Z97 motherboards.  I remember JayzTwoCents who is a big youtuber had a problem with his Gigabyte Z97, and a lot of other people had the same issue.

 

I own the Phanteks Enthoo Pro, and I absolutely love this case.  This case is my baby, and it comes with so many features, which is surprising considering the price.  The water cooling options are endless.  I have a Cooler Master Seidon 240M for my CPU, and a Kraken X31 + G10 for my GTX 780 GPU.  Both my CPU and GPU don't go above 50C when fans are ~60%.

[Faceman]

I have a ASUS VG248QE 144hz monitor, and i could notice it when i upgraded from a 60hz model. 

Exactly, and heck, with the leftover money, you could even buy a 2nd R9 290 and you will not experience a bottleneck with the i7.

[VincentiusIV]

Go with the Z97-AR, I personally think the motherboard looks beautiful, and it comes with Asus' legendary BIOS and Fan Xpert III.  The only downside of the AR is that it only has 4 SATA Ports.  I don't know how many you need, but based on your current specs, 4 will be enough, even if you add a 2nd SSD to get Raid 0.

 

In terms of overclocking, that is rubbish.  The overclocking results you get are completely dependent upon the chip and not the motherboard.  Your overclock results will be the same regardless of motherboard.  Also, I have heard a lot of bad things about Gigabyte's Z97 motherboards.  I remember JayzTwoCents who is a big youtuber had a problem with his Gigabyte Z97, and a lot of other people had the same issue.

 

I own the Phanteks Enthoo Pro, and I absolutely love this case.  This case is my baby, and it comes with so many features, which is surprising considering the price.  The water cooling options are endless.  I have a Cooler Master Seidon 240M for my CPU, and a Kraken X31 + G10 for my GTX 780 GPU.  Both my CPU and GPU don't go above 50C when fans are ~60%.

Would a Z97-Deluxe be better? Or does it just have some useless marketing features?

[Faceman]

@VincentiusIV

[VincentiusIV]

Exactly, and heck, with the leftover money, you could even buy a 2nd R9 290 and you will not experience a bottleneck with the i7.

Would a RM750 be enough wattage for a second R9 290? On PCPartPicker it says i only need 700 watt, but on the AMD website they recommend 1000 watt psu.

[Faceman]

Would a Z97-Deluxe be better? Or does it just have some useless marketing features?

It comes down to the features that you need.  Figure out what you need, and find the motherboard that matches what you need.  Watch that video in my post above, and it should help to explain a little bit.

[Faceman]

Would a RM750 be enough wattage for a second R9 290? On PCPartPicker it says i only need 700 watt, but on the AMD website they recommend 1000 watt psu.

I do think an RM750 will be enough.  Those websites always give you a very conservative wattage requirement.  A single CPU + GPU both overclocked in a system only requires about 350w at full 100% load on both CPU and GPU, so that is a worst case scenario.  That can be seen in the first video.  The second video, you see a guy use an overclocked i5-4670k + overclocked GTX 780 Ti running on an RM450 just fine.

 

Check out these two videos:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiWThqgFfI4#t=401

 

[VincentiusIV]

I do think an RM750 will be enough.  Those websites always give you a very conservative wattage requirement.  A single CPU + GPU both overclocked in a system only requires about 350w.

 

Check out these two videos:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiWThqgFfI4#t=401

 

Hmm, interesting. Now you mention it, this RM750 has that zero rpm below 40% usage feature. And i was looking at that fan when running prime95, and it actually didn't run at all. It could be broke or my system didnt even need more then 40% of the total wattage.

[Faceman]

Hmm, interesting. Now you mention it, this RM750 has that zero rpm below 40% usage feature. And i was looking at that fan when running prime95, and it actually didn't run at all. It could be broke or my system didnt even need more then 40% of the total wattage.

Chances are it didn't even use 50%.  Does the RM series have a switch so you can change it to Zero RPM mode or Full speed mode?  If so, flip the switch to turn the fan on to make sure it isn't broken.  I think you will be fine with the 750.

[VincentiusIV]

Chances are it didn't even use 50%.  Does the RM series have a switch so you can change it to Zero RPM mode or Full speed mode?  If so, flip the switch to turn the fan on to make sure it isn't broken.  I think you will be fine with the 750.

No it does not have a switch. It does have Corsair link, but i dont have that controller. Maybe that can turn the fan on and off? But i rather not spend money on corsair link since many people have bad experiences with it.

[Faceman]

No it does not have a switch. It does have Corsair link, but i dont have that controller. Maybe that can turn the fan on and off? But i rather not spend money on corsair link since many people have bad experiences with it.

Ya, don't both.  I'm sure the PSU is fine.

[VincentiusIV]

Ya, don't both.  I'm sure the PSU is fine.

Oh, one thing i forgot to mention is that my Corsair High profile vengeance ram does not look good anymore. Well it did when i bought the modules, but in order to fit the cpu cooler i had to rip one heatsink off. Thermal wise, the naked module is only 1 to 2 degrees hotter then the module with the heatsink. Oh well, since it looks ugly i think i'll be buying some dominator platinum since it fits the design from the z97-ar. Or are there any other modules that look good for a better price? Because i realy think the dominator platinum's are way overpriced and you can get similar results with cheaper modules. But i just love the design.

[Faceman]

Oh, one thing i forgot to mention is that my Corsair High profile vengeance ram does not look good anymore. Well it did when i bought the modules, but in order to fit the cpu cooler i had to rip one heatsink off. Thermal wise, the naked module is only 1 to 2 degrees hotter then the module with the heatsink. Oh well, since it looks ugly i think i'll be buying some dominator platinum since it fits the design from the z97-ar. Or are there any other modules that look good for a better price? Because i realy think the dominator platinum's are way overpriced and you can get similar results with cheaper modules. But i just love the design.

   Ya, just picturing that in my head, the AR + Dominator Platinums will look incredible.  RAM is RAM and it has a negligible impact on performance when gaming.  I don't know if any of the work related programs you run will benefit from performance RAM, maybe look into that? In the US, performance RAM often goes on sale so it ends up costing the same or less than the standard 1600mhz, 9-9-9-24, stuff which is why I bought some.  If you can find some good looking performance RAM that is less expensive, the same, or just a little bit more expensive, sure go for it.  But Dominator Platinums are way overpriced.  To measure the performance of RAM, all you do is divide the first CAS/CL number by the Mhz.  For example 9/1600 = .005625.  Lower is better/faster.

 

   I don't know of any other RAM sticks that have the same look as the Platinums, they are ridiculously overpriced and buying them is more of a fashion statement than anything else.  It is possible, and fairly easy to paint RAM though, I remember Linus has a video on it, and you can search the internet for other videos and tutorials.  You certainly have the budget for it, but there must be better ways to spend money than dominator platinums.