Another Try ($2000 4k Build)

[AlwaysFlexin]

Hey guys, I've posted other options over the past couple of weeks and I'm sitll torn about what I want to do. My goals for this build are to game at 4k AAA titles, light rendering(like 10 min youtube videos for a fitness channel), and be at the $2000 range. I have a 240gb 840 EVO and enough HDD so storage isn't budgeted.

 

Notes:

1. I also have a TX850 PSU, is this sufficient enough for the Crossfire Beasts?

2. These prices are ALL from Newegg. Call me crazy but I prefer just dealing with one company that I trust.

3. I REALLY want this PC when I come home from Afghanistan in March, but I'm still debating about waiting for the 300 series. Any thoughts on this? I was toying with the idea of buying all the parts except video cards and buying that after the 300 series comes out (I could sit on my single gtx 480 in the mean time.)

 

Thanks for ALL input, please keep in mind my notes listed above, I'm really torn about what to do!

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/4kMVgs
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/4kMVgs/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($339.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($130.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 290X 4GB TWIN FROZR Video Card (2-Way CrossFire)  ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 290X 4GB TWIN FROZR Video Card (2-Way CrossFire)  ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus PB287Q 60Hz 28.0" Monitor  ($607.48 @ Newegg)
Total: $1900.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-06 11:17 EST-0500

[ShadowCaptain]

Looks great to me, its hard to comment on the 300 series, if you have  a GPU to tie you over then maybe you can wait

You can still buy 2 x 290x if the 300 series sucks

[Fate]

I like it, but I'd wait for the 300 series (shouldn't be too long after March) as two 290x's won't max out the most demanding AAA games but two flagship 300 series cards easily will (don't know this for sure of course, but it is pretty obvious). 

[Worth]

If you want to go AMD, wait for 300 series. If you buy now, get two 970s.

[Fate]

If you want to go AMD, wait for 300 series. If you buy now, get two 970s.

970's can have vram limitations at 4k with SLI and 290x's outperform 970's by 11% at that resolution. 

[Senzelian]

Don't worry about the PSU. It has enough power.

The R9 300 series probably launches in 2 months I guess. But of course it could take even more time.
They will also be a lot more expensive I think than the current R9 290X cards that you've chosen right now. So it depends on you, if you can wait and if you've the extra 200 or even 300 dollar to spend on those cards. I personally would wait.

 

[AlwaysFlexin]

I like it, but I'd wait for the 300 series (shouldn't be too long after March) as two 290x's won't max out the most demanding AAA games but two flagship 300 series cards easily will (don't know this for sure of course, but it is pretty obvious). 

 

 

Don't worry about the PSU. It has enough power.

The R9 300 series probably launches in 2 months I guess. But of course it could take even more time.

They will also be a lot more expensive I think than the current R9 290X cards that you've chosen right now. So it depends on you, if you can wait and if you've the extra 200 or even 300 dollar to spend on those cards. I personally would wait.

 

 

 

Looks great to me, its hard to comment on the 300 series, if you have  a GPU to tie you over then maybe you can wait

You can still buy 2 x 290x if the 300 series sucks

 

Thanks for the replies. Such a tough decision. I kind of want to wait but I have a feeling that 300 series won't come out till like mid March, then weeks before us normal people can buy them. They will probably sell out like the 970's did and then I'm waiting 3-4 months for a graphics card to feed my 4k monitor.

[Fate]

Thanks for the replies. Such a tough decision. I kind of want to wait but I have a feeling that 300 series won't come out till like mid March, then weeks before us normal people can buy them. They will probably sell out like the 970's did and then I'm waiting 3-4 months for a graphics card to feed my 4k monitor.

You could get one 290x and sell it with the 300 series comes out/becomes obtainable. It'll be powerful enough to play AAA titles around medium (maybe a bit higher). 

[Imakuni]

Okay, so here's my build. A few points to note:

1. It doesn't include SS/HD nor PSU, as you said you already own those.
2. It includes a windows copy.
3. It doesn't include a monitor. I assume you already have that 4k panel, if not, we still have plenty of money left to buy a display.
4. All neweeg prices, as requested. The only exception is the CPU cooler (not available on newegg), but it comes from NCIX US. If you don't trust it, I don't even know what are you doing in these forums.
5. Speaking of CPU cooler, it's a very unique one. It's a pre-filled AIO watercooler. BUT, it has transparent tubing, AND, it comes with different colors of ink for you to pour into the reservoir and match your build. It looks awesome!
6. Speaking of build, it has a light-blue theme.

Have fun, this will be a very potent setup!

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($339.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: RAIJINTEK TRITON 100.5 CFM Sleeve Bearing Liquid CPU Cooler  ($70.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($113.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($116.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($342.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($342.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Commander G42 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1501.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-06 12:41 EST-0500

[AlwaysFlexin]

Okay, so here's my build. A few points to note:

1. It doesn't include SS/HD nor PSU, as you said you already own those.
2. It includes a windows copy.
3. It doesn't include a monitor. I assume you already have that 4k panel, if not, we still have plenty of money left to buy a display.
4. All neweeg prices, as requested. The only exception is the CPU cooler (not available on newegg), but it comes from NCIX US. If you don't trust it, I don't even know what are you doing in these forums.
5. Speaking of CPU cooler, it's a very unique one. It's a pre-filled AIO watercooler. BUT, it has transparent tubing, AND, it comes with different colors of ink for you to pour into the reservoir and match your build. It looks awesome!
6. Speaking of build, it has a light-blue theme.

Have fun, this will be a very potent setup!

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($339.99 @ Newegg)

CPU Cooler: RAIJINTEK TRITON 100.5 CFM Sleeve Bearing Liquid CPU Cooler  ($70.99 @ NCIX US)

Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($113.99 @ Newegg)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($116.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($342.98 @ Newegg)

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($342.98 @ Newegg)

Case: Thermaltake Commander G42 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($70.98 @ Newegg)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($102.98 @ Newegg)

Total: $1501.88

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-06 12:41 EST-0500

 

Awesome build. Thank you for your input. I'm definitely going to check out that cooler, it sounds like a really cool idea. I do need to budget in that monitor, I haven't bought it yet.

 

However, I'm very skeptical about SLI 970's. This was my original game plan but with 4k I don't think 3.5b of VRAM is enough. Maybe for games today, but not in 6 months or so. I'm not sure yet.

[Imakuni]

Awesome build. Thank you for your input. I'm definitely going to check out that cooler, it sounds like a really cool idea. I do need to budget in that monitor, I haven't bought it yet.

 

However, I'm very skeptical about SLI 970's. This was my original game plan but with 4k I don't think 3.5b of VRAM is enough. Maybe for games today, but not in 6 months or so. I'm not sure yet.

For 4k, there is NOTHING right now that can do it. Not even XF 290x, not even SLI 980. If you prefer, I guess you could go with 2x 290xs. Your PSU can handle it, anyway.

 

I just suggested a 970 SLI because the 3XX series is just around the corner. And I'd imagine it would be easier to sell 2 970s than 2 290x, if you want to upgrade.

[AlwaysFlexin]

For 4k, there is NOTHING right now that can do it. Not even XF 290x, not even SLI 980. If you prefer, I guess you could go with 2x 290xs. Your PSU can handle it, anyway.

 

I just suggested a 970 SLI because the 3XX series is just around the corner. And I'd imagine it would be easier to sell 2 970s than 2 290x, if you want to upgrade.

 

Not a bad idea actually, I agree with the selling point. Thanks.

[Worth]

970's can have vram limitations at 4k with SLI and 290x's outperform 970's by 11% at that resolution. 

My bad, forgot the bus difference