Z97 vs X99?

[Spyname149]

Hey guys,

 

So I have 2 PC Builds, one a Z97 build and one a X99 build. I have a bit of a problem deciding which to buy.

 

So here's the Z97 build:

 

[PCPartPicker part list](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/V8G7Mp) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/V8G7Mp/by_merchant/)

 

Type|Item|Price

:----|:----|:----

**CPU** | [intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i74790k) | $449.00 @ PC Force 

**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Nepton 140XL 122.5 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rln14x20pkr1) | $153.00 @ Paradigm PCs 

**Motherboard** | [Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z97a) | $247.24 @ PB Technologies 

**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f314900cl10d16gbxl) | $255.00 @ PC Force 

**Storage** | [Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-internal-hard-drive-ct256mx100ssd1) | $159.00 @ PC Force 

**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $79.00 @ PC Force 

**Video Card** | [Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvn970g1gaming4gd) | $654.84 @ Ascent Technology 

**Case** | [NZXT H440 (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-cah440ww1) | $226.44 @ Aquila Technology 

**Power Supply** | [seaSonic X Series 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-x850) | $288.48 @ Ascent Technology 

 | | **Total**

 | Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $2512.00

 | Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-01 11:17 NZDT+1300 |

 

And here's the X99 build:

 

[PCPartPicker part list](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/Pc8Lpg) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/Pc8Lpg/by_merchant/)

 

Type|Item|Price

:----|:----|:----

**CPU** | [intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80648i75820k) | $539.34 @ PB Technologies 

**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Nepton 140XL 122.5 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rln14x20pkr1) | $153.00 @ Paradigm PCs 

**Motherboard** | [Asus X99-DELUXE ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-x99deluxe) | $671.00 @ Paradigm PCs 

**Memory** | [Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-ct8g4dfd8213) | $149.95 @ Computer Lounge 

**Storage** | [Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-internal-hard-drive-ct256mx100ssd1) | $159.00 @ PC Force 

**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $79.00 @ PC Force 

**Video Card** | [Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvn970g1gaming4gd) | $654.84 @ Ascent Technology 

**Case** | [NZXT H440 (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-cah440ww1) | $226.44 @ Aquila Technology 

**Power Supply** | [seaSonic X Series 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-x850) | $288.48 @ Ascent Technology 

 | | **Total**

 | Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $2921.05

 | Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-01 11:22 NZDT+1300 |

 

Generally, I am looking at $2500 NZ Dollars  so cost wise, I am leaning more towards the Z97 build, however I don't want to upgrade my CPU and motherboard for a while, and since X99 is a new socket, at least I have some options for just upgrading the CPU later on.

 

Now, please understand that this from New Zealand, and, understandably, that's because I live in New Zealand. So, if you guys can use a service that can directly deliver to NZ, like Newegg or PCPartPicker if you recommend something else, that would be great.

 

Thanks guys so much for helping me out!

 

[Toddwjp]

whats the build for?

 

if just gaming go z97,

 

if video editing, professional workstation use you may want the x99

[MourningSouls]

I wouldn't recommend X99 to anyone who doesn't need it for professional reasons.

 

And unless you're planning SLI, 850W is way more than you need. You don't need anything more than 600W.

[Sauron]

-

 

Welcome to the forum! Please remember to follow your topics so you're notified when someone answers in my sig you can find links to the CoC and the forum's F.A.Q. check them out!

 

As @Toddwjp pointed out, we need to know what you'll use it for. Again, if it's for gaming, go z97 and loose 8gb of ram, you don't need more than 8gb.

[Sauron]

-snip-

 

If you look carefully you'll see that that's the price for DDR3 in his Z97 build. DDR4 is not that expensive after all in his second build.

[Mooshi]

I glanced at those horrible prices and assumed Australian. Turns out, I wasn't that far off. You guys get the absolute worst prices on tech in that region. :C

[Spyname149]

Hey guys,

Wow. That was quick.

I'll be using this for YouTube, streaming, gaming, content creating and schoolwork.

What do you guys think now?

I glanced at those horrible prices and assumed Australian. Turns out, I wasn't that far off. You guys get the absolute worst prices on tech in that region. :C

Haha yeah honestly, I feel like moving to USA, buy my PC, and then move back, but sadly I can't do that.

[Maslofski]

well, ive you just do the gaming and the streamings then youre ine with Z97

[the jolly roger]

Hey guys,

 

Wow. That was quick.

 

I'll be using this for YouTube, streaming, gaming, content creating and schoolwork.

 

What do you guys think now?

z97 still

[Ian_Balisy]

Hey guys,

 

Wow. That was quick.

 

I'll be using this for YouTube, streaming, gaming, content creating and schoolwork.

 

What do you guys think now?

 

Z97. Four hyperthreaded cores is enough for your purposes. That 850W power supply is definitely overkill though. (Note my build in sig, 750W is for future upgrades and I got it at a really good price)

[Spyname149]

OK, so if I go with Z97, so like Sauron said, should I lose 8Gb of RAM or not?

Z97. Four hyperthreaded cores is enough for your purposes. That 850W power supply is definitely overkill though. (Note my build in sig, 750W is for future upgrades and I got it at a really good price)

OK, so what power supply do you guys recommend?

[Boink]

whats the build for?

 

if just gaming go z97,

 

if video editing, professional workstation use you may want the x99

This or longevity. Due to the increased expandability of the platform and the added horsepower that it will naturally have, an x99 system will last a lot longer than a z97 in the same  price range. If you want to do a 4-6 year upgrade cycle (with the possible exception of the GPU) then z97 will work, but with x99, (once again, with the exception of the GPU) you could possibly extend that to 8 years with the proper care. 

 

 

Hey guys,

 

Wow. That was quick.

 

I'll be using this for YouTube, streaming, gaming, content creating and schoolwork.

 

What do you guys think now?

 

So basically, unless you go with the longevity option, use the following:

 

If the most you will do is gaming and light content creation such as moderate video editing and even light 3D work, use z97

If by content creation, you mean heavy 3D modeling and animation, SFX, and higher grade design work, use x99

 

Also, use the multiquote button to avoid double posts

Edited September 30, 2014 by Boink

[Toddwjp]

OK, so if I go with Z97, so like Sauron said, should I lose 8Gb of RAM or not?

 

8gb is enough but 16gb might be useful, however only get the 16 if you do plan on doing allot of content creation, or heavy multitasking.

[Spyname149]

This or longevity. Due to the increased expandability of the platform and the added horsepower that it will naturally have, an x99 system will last a lot longer than a z97 in the same  price range. If you want to do a 4-6 year upgrade cycle (with the possible exception of the GPU) then z97 will work, but with x99, (once again, with the exception of the GPU) you could possibly extend that to 8 years with the proper care. 

 

 

 

So basically, unless you go with the longevity option, use the following:

 

If the most you will do is gaming and light content creation such as moderate video editing and even light 3D work, use z97

If by content creation, you mean heavy 3D modeling and animation, SFX, and higher grade design work, use x99

 

Also, use the multiquote button to avoid double posts

Oh right thanks. I think in the end I will go with Z97. But is my Z97 build good?

[Guest]

OK, so what power supply do you guys recommend?

This one. It isn't fully modular, but it is excellent. If you don't plan on going SLI then you can go with a 500W.

http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ssr750rm

Oh right thanks. I think in the end I will go with Z97. But is my Z97 build good?

It looks pretty good to Me.

[Spyname149]

This one. It isn't fully modular, but it is excellent. If you don't plan on going SLI then you can go with a 500W.

 

http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ssr750rm

Will this do for overclocked 2 way SLI 970?

[Ian_Balisy]

OK, so what power supply do you guys recommend?

 

This PSU was going to be my choice, and would work for you even if you SLI'd two 970s: Seasonic 660W.

[Guest]

Will this do for overclocked 2 way SLI 970?

Yes you will be fine with a 750W.

[Ian_Balisy]

Oh right thanks. I think in the end I will go with Z97. But is my Z97 build good?

 

Everything looks good to me, especially the mobo (love my Z97-A), but 1 TB of HDD storage might not be enough if you're doing consistent content creation and editing.

[Guest]

This PSU was going to be my choice, and would work for you even if you SLI'd two 970s: Seasonic 660W.

That PSU is $300 in NZ though 

 

http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ss660xp2

[Ian_Balisy]

That PSU is $300 in NZ though 

 

http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ss660xp2

 

Ah, yikes! Well that changes things. The above mentioned 750W will be more than enough for you and Gold/Platinum efficiency... not really a huge amount of difference.

[Spyname149]

Yes you will be fine with a 750W.

I think I will change to 750W.

 

Thanks guys so much for the support on my first post! However, now I have another post up about displays, and my final choice of monitors and my first monitor as well.

Thanks guys again!

 

Here's the link: http://bit.ly/YQp53H See ya there!