White SLI upgrade [CODENAME: KRAIT]

[Daftworks]

So I've been planning to upgrade my current build to accommodate a dual GTX 960 setup, and have planned out to buy the components in different batches, as I currently don't have enough to buy everything at once (it'll probably span several years haha). Though while I was shopping, I stumbled upon the MSI Z97S SLI Krait Edition motherboard, and have decided to build around the same black & white theme. Unfortunately, I won't change my case (Corsair Carbide 300R), as it is pretty much perfect for me dimension-wise.

 

Current rig:

• CPU: Intel Core i5-3570
• Motherboard: MSI H77MA-G43
• RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport (2 x 4GB)
• GPU: MSI N660 TF 2GD5/OC
• Case: Corsair Carbide 300R
• Storage: 1 x Sandisk 64GB SSD, 2 x WD Caviar Blue 1TB
• PSU: Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 550W

 

Planned upgrade:

• CPU: any Broadwell/Haswell CPU, might get an i3 for budget purposes (unless it'll become a bottleneck), otherwise I'll wait it out and get an i5 in the long run.
• Motherboard: MSI Z97S SLI Krait Edition (socket 1150). This mobo features 1 x M.2 slot (I think its a PCIe interface? idk I'm not sure, can someone confirm this for me?).
• RAM: Either a Kingston HyperX Fury in White (geez, where did I hear HyperX over 500 times before, I wonder? #CES2015), or G. Skill NT Series RAM. Either way, it'll be 2 x 4GB RAM (does it really matter which one I pick? RAM is just RAM).
• GPU: 2 x MSI GTX 960 2GD5T OC. Yes, they only have 2GB VRAM, but they're white and affordable! Why not a single Galax GTX 970/980 HOF instead? Because two GTX 960s combined are still cheaper than a single GTX 970 here!
• Storage: I'm planning on switching over to a SSD-only rig, because my mech HDDs are louder than my CPU and case fans. So for this opportunity, I'm going all out and try to utilize both a M.2 SSD, and a PCIe SSD. Is it overkill? Yes, but I want this to be an absolute flagship I'll be getting Kingston's HyperX predator SSDs #CES2015, as they offer them both in a standalone M.2 stick, and a M.2 stick with a PCIe bracket. One small concern though, is whether or not I'm able to run these in RAID0.
• PSU: idk, how much wattage is required for two GTX 960s? I'll get one that's white, which has enough to power these video cards, and preferably one from Corsair (the one that got featured in Linus' recent video in which he helps his 3-year-old son, caught my attention; Corsair RMi series, was it?).
• Cooling: I might wanna get a Corsair H80i GT, but only if I have $$$ to spare (and judging by the parts list, that'd be very unlikely ). I'll just stick with my current CM Hyper TX3 Evo for the time being. I am gonna get a couple of Corsair white LED case fans.
• OS: gotta get another license for Windows 10, this time I'll get a retail version because I now know the drawbacks of having a single license being tied down to a mobo. From what I've gathered, the retail version allows unlimited installs, as long as its on 1 machine at a time.

[ShadowCaptain]

• GPU: 2 x MSI GTX 960 2GD5T OC. Yes, they only have 2GB VRAM, but they're white and affordable!

 

I just wouldn't bother with SLI 960s, especially 2gb ones

[Rienks]

I think Linus did a video saying to go single 970 over SLI 960s. Single 970 has better performance 

[Streetguru]

 

So I've been planning to upgrade my current build to accommodate a dual GTX 960 setup, and have planned out to buy the components in different batches, as I currently don't

Unless you're getting those 960s for free, it's probably not worth it at all to SLI them, get a 390

Also what's your total budget?

[Daftworks]

I think Linus did a video saying to go single 970 over SLI 960s. Single 970 has better performance 

 

I just wouldn't bother with SLI 960s, especially 2gb ones

 

Wow, really? Then single 970 it is then. I'll either get a Galax HOF or look into other ones and recolor them white.

[JebKerman]

I think Linus did a video saying to go single 970 over SLI 960s. Single 970 has better performance 

actually that was 2 950s, and they gave almost identical performance (just the way nVidia likely intended) so 2 960's should be close to a single 980, but the 2GB will likely be an issue either way.

[ShadowCaptain]

Wow, really? Then single 970 it is then. I'll either get a Galax HOF or look into other ones and recolor them white.

 

As nice as colour schemes are, I would focus on getting the best performance first, and worry about colours second

 

a 970 would be a better option, or a 390 or something would be a good idea too

 

Dont forget, 2gb Vram is limiting, SLI is not supported in all games and can introduce other issues, 

While 2x960s might beat a 970 etc in some benchmarks, in real world it doenst make sense, frankly SLI to me is for people with big budgets, or for a mid way upgrade 1 year down the line

like my rig is getting old with my 780ti, but I could pick one up cheap now to make my build last longer

 

IMO never start a build planning mid range SLI, its not the best 

 

 

[Streetguru]

Wow, really? Then single 970 it is then. I'll either get a Galax HOF or look into other ones and recolor them white.

The 390 is a much better option overall compared to the 970, shoot for that, and what's your total budget?

[Daftworks]

The 390 is a much better option overall compared to the 970, shoot for that, and what's your total budget?

 

I've been in camp Nvidia from the start so I'm not familiar with AMD cards at all (not a fanboy though ). Why should I choose the 390 over a 970?

 

My budget will be $900 at around the holiday season. That money will be going to the mobo, CPU and win10 license first, in order to get the system running. I might pick up a GPU if I have room left in my budget.

[Rienks]

Wow, really? Then single 970 it is then. I'll either get a Galax HOF or look into other ones and recolor them white.

check this video out for sli 960 benchmarks