Thanks for your reply. I've already bought the CPU (5960X) and the mobo (GA-X99M-Gaming 5).
Next step is to get a case that fits a 280mm (320mm) radiator.
I can wait for the Corsair H110i GT if it is worthwhile (the improves), although I've found some bad opinions about the 'Corsair Link' software and more recommendations as yours to get the H110 or the NZXT Kraken X61.
This one, the X61, is available now in a local store. I'm not sure how it performs each one with the 8-core intel cpu. Do you have the Kraken X61 installed & running?
Unfortunately no, I do not have the Kraken X61 myself or a similar processor to use it with. I can show you review benchmarks that will help show you how well it runs, though. The 5960X you bought has a TDP (thermal design power) of 140 watts. Thermal design power is a rating that generally tells us how much heat the processor will generate. Looking for reviews where they pair the X61 with processors that also have similarly high TDP will tell us how well the cooler can do.
Hardware Canucks review - In their test, they used the i7 920 which is rated for a TDP of 130 watts.
Overclock3D review - They used the i7 3960X, a more recent processor which is also rated for a TDP of 130 watts.
SilentPCReview review - They used the i7-965 Extreme, which is also rated for 130 watt TDP.
Tom's Hardware review - This time they are using the more recent 5930K which is rated for a 140 watt TDP, the same as the 5960X.
Generally, the X61 does well and is around the top of the performance charts.
Bought a 290x matrix platinum for 319€. It heats up to at least 90 degrees C pretty fast while playing lords of the fallen (with v-sync off and max settings at 1440p). Should i worry about that?
Edit: Tested with Far Cry 4 and it goes up to 94 degrees.
Yes, I think 90 degrees is something to be worried about. Is fan speed on auto? you may want to crank it up to 100%..
HardOCP's testing of the same graphics card revealed the same high temperatures. However,
Guru3D and
Ocaholic's reviews did not result in such high temperatures, but in all three reviews they appear to be using open air testing setups, not with closed cases. It is hard to say why temperatures are so high.
Thanks. I think I'll wait for Skylake then. I've never overclocked my rig before, so I'm not sure how big of a deal it is to not hold out for the K version. Doing some quick research a year after Skylake there is going to be a die shrink to 10nm. I'm not sure how significant that is, but at the same time I'm not sure I can wait. My computer is 6 years old and is having motherboard issues so I want to upgrade soon.
As for GPU's nothing major coming out there to hold out for? What is this issue with the 970s I keep seeing mentioned?
Edit: I'm a little confused on what exactly X99 is. Is it a motherboard thing or a cpu thing? I'm seeing motherboards with x99 around. Will it be compatible with Skylake or is this for the current processors? Sorry, I'm not too familiar with this stuff.
As for GPU, AMD is expected to release their R9 3xx series flagship graphics cards in Q2 2015, which means they should be out before Intel's new processors.
The issue with the GTX 970s is that they have this hardware design issue that prevents them from effectively using the full 4GB of the graphics card's design. The flaw only appears in scenarios requiring most of the GTX 970's memory, which is to say it doesn't really happen often as of now, but is definitely going to be a problem in the future, and on higher game resolutions that will use up more memory.
About Intel's consumer stuff and Z97 and X99: To put it simply, Intel has two product lines for consumer computers. Z97 and X99 refer to motherboard types, they accept different types of processors. Z97 (and a couple of other motherboard types) covers the low to mid range of computers, while X99 is Intel's high end line. Z97 is usually enough for most people, but those with money or need for high power go with X99.
After much consideration, I think I'm going to acquire a GTX 960 over the GTX 970. Haven't upgraded my PC for five years and hell, my most powerful system to-date has been an Athlon X4 630 and a AMD HD 5770 which shows that I've always been roaming around the low to mid-range threshold.
Now that I'm making decent money, I've bought those part last week:
i5-4690K
AsRock Z97 Anniversary Edition
8GB DDR3 @ 1600 MHz
Reusing my old case and using a 550W power supply bought this summer.
So far so good, but I'm looking to add a graphic card. My biggest argument against the GTX 970 is its price (minimum $400 w/ tax in Canada for the
Zotac GTX 970 AMP OMEGA). I can get a
Gigabyte GTX 960 for $250 tax included. Also since I'm aiming to play with one monitor @ 1080p, isn't the performance output of this card will be enough? I'm asking because ultimately, I'm very much lacking perspective when it comes to performance goals with PC gaming.
Any comments?
For around
$300 CAD you can get the R9 290 which comes close to the GTX 970 and easily beats the GTX 960. The GTX 960 is also a good upgrade from your 5770, but the R9 290 will allow you to max out games and/or run at high framerate at 1080p, whereas GTX 960 is only slightly (~10%) better than the old GTX 760 and is a match for the old R9 280 (non-X version).
So are there any tidbits on what the AMD GPU refresh will bring?
Part of me really wants to jump on the r9 290 prices. will my 620w PSU be enough for one? It seems like I should be able to get away with my i5 2500k for a few more years.
Here's a WCCFTech article detailing some of the new technology coming with the AMD R9 3xx series.
Your 620 watt power supply is good enough for anything that isn't a 295X or Titan type graphics card. You can run the 290/290X/970/980 just fine.
