Date: 28 March 24, 03:34 AM
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 Intel Z97 i7-4790K Build



scuzzy


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After pooching the possibility of an X99 build, here's where I stand. After I complete my wife's Intel i5 system, I will put this together for myself:

What I have purchased so far:
Intel Core i7-4790K Haswell Quad-Core 4.0GHz LGA 1150 CPU ($325)
Samsung 850 PRO 256GB SATA3 SDDs ($145)
SeaSonic SS-520FL2 520 watt PSU ($130)
HyperX Fury Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 1866 RAM ($84)
Fractal Design Define R4 Silent mid-tower case ($80)
ASUS 24x DVD Burner ($13)

Items to follow:
EVGA GTX 960 2GB PCIe 3x16 GPU card ($195)
ASUS Z97-PRO Wi-Fi USB 3.1 motherboard ($215)
Noctua NH-D14 CPU Cooler ($79)

The total for this build currently stands at $1266. My wife's build is currently estimated at $1,166. The combined total for both builds stands at $2432.

This system will essentially be the same as my wife's, with 3 exceptions. Her build will be the Intel i5-4690K with the onboard Intel graphics, built in a Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 mid-tower case. Mine will be the Intel i7-4790K with a GTX 960 GPU (2GB), built in a Fractal Design Define R4 Silent mid-tower case.

I'm not likely to order any further parts for this build until after my wife's is fully completed.

scuzzy


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FYI, I just ordered the remaining parts to complete this build. Since I will use the EVGA GTX 960 card that I already have on hand, I only needed to order the motherboard and CPU cooler. There's no change on the prices.

I also ordered a Samsung 850 Pro 512GB SSD ($250) for my wife's computer.

The parts should arrive Weds or Thurs next week.

Bill


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Moving right along. I recalled you said you were pressed for time, but did you think about re-surveying the market for a new PCIe SSD.  I haven't.  Either way, this one should be a rock solid screamer.
Fractal Design R5 | Asus  Z170 Pro | Intel i5 6600k | 16 GB G.Skill Ripjaws  DDR4 2133 | Seasonic 650w PSU | eVGA GTX 550 TI | Samsung 960 M2 500 GB | Samsung 850 EVO 500 GB | ASUS Burner | Windows 7 64-bit

scuzzy


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Somewhere down the road I'll reconsider PCIe SSD, as my piggy bank has already taken quite a beating. For now I already have a Samsung 850 Pro 256GB SSD mounted behind the motherboard tray, which should more than get the job done. It's looking like the remaining parts will arrive in time for my next set of days off.

I'm poasting from my wife's new build, which is still running on Windows 10, at least for the next 10 minutes. I'm getting ready to wipe it out with Windows 7. Then I need to replace the front brakes on my daughter's car.

Scuzzy; hopefully I don't get confused and install new brake rotors on the computer and Windows 7 on my daughter's Subaru.

Bill


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That would be interesting!  How is the"new car" running otherwise??
Fractal Design R5 | Asus  Z170 Pro | Intel i5 6600k | 16 GB G.Skill Ripjaws  DDR4 2133 | Seasonic 650w PSU | eVGA GTX 550 TI | Samsung 960 M2 500 GB | Samsung 850 EVO 500 GB | ASUS Burner | Windows 7 64-bit

scuzzy


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My youngest daughter's Toyota is doing just fine, if that's the one you're referring to. This car (Subaru Outback) belongs to another daughter. While we were at my son's wedding, she complained about the brakes. After a quick diagnosis I determined she needs new front rotors and pads. I already have the parts, now I just need to get to work.

Scuzzy; the clock is ticking.

Bill


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Time's awasting.
Fractal Design R5 | Asus  Z170 Pro | Intel i5 6600k | 16 GB G.Skill Ripjaws  DDR4 2133 | Seasonic 650w PSU | eVGA GTX 550 TI | Samsung 960 M2 500 GB | Samsung 850 EVO 500 GB | ASUS Burner | Windows 7 64-bit

Bill


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So the question remains, w7 or w10, or first one then the later? 
Although thinking back, you made some comment about both being the same, guess it going to be w10.
Fractal Design R5 | Asus  Z170 Pro | Intel i5 6600k | 16 GB G.Skill Ripjaws  DDR4 2133 | Seasonic 650w PSU | eVGA GTX 550 TI | Samsung 960 M2 500 GB | Samsung 850 EVO 500 GB | ASUS Burner | Windows 7 64-bit

scuzzy


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I finally have this build up and running, although not without a problem along the way.

I had to install Windows 7 so that I can upgrade to Windows 10. I got the same bloated installation problem that I had building my wife's computer. I don't know what is causing it, and at this point I really, flat-out do not care. But I started getting a Desktop Manager error which drove me up the wall. It took a bit of research before I found out that the problem was the nVidia graphics driver that I installed for the GeForce GTX 960 GPU card. I uninstalled the driver and the problem went away. So I used Windows update to install the driver and all is well now.

I just ran Windows Experience Index and got the following results:

Processor: 7.8
Memory (RAM): 7.9
Graphics: 7.9
Gaming graphics: 7.9
Primary hard disk: 7.9

I'm fixing to install SP1 so that I can upgrade to Windows 10. I'll update my progress and poast a photo or two later in the day, presuming I don't run into any problems along the way.

scuzzy


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Here's a couple pix of my completed i7 build. It looks pretty much like my wife's computer, except the HDD cages are completely removed. BTW: I also completely removed the HDD cages from hers, as they were not needed after installing the 512GB SSD. Note that this case came with 2 each 140mm case fans. I bought a 3rd and installed it up front.

The first photo shows the sound-dampened rear panel removed; the second installed.

Click the image for the full size photo:

 

Bill


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Wow, talk about neat!
Fractal Design R5 | Asus  Z170 Pro | Intel i5 6600k | 16 GB G.Skill Ripjaws  DDR4 2133 | Seasonic 650w PSU | eVGA GTX 550 TI | Samsung 960 M2 500 GB | Samsung 850 EVO 500 GB | ASUS Burner | Windows 7 64-bit

scuzzy


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Thanks. Having the ability to neatly tuck cables behind the motherboard tray makes a really big difference. I am very pleased with the results.

Bill


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I went back to look again and there is a cluster of wires, just north of the video card to the right and just below the cooler I can't identify.  Are they graphics related?
Fractal Design R5 | Asus  Z170 Pro | Intel i5 6600k | 16 GB G.Skill Ripjaws  DDR4 2133 | Seasonic 650w PSU | eVGA GTX 550 TI | Samsung 960 M2 500 GB | Samsung 850 EVO 500 GB | ASUS Burner | Windows 7 64-bit

scuzzy


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Bill, that is the PCI-e power cable (flat ribbon) connected to the top of the graphics card. If you zoom in on the photo you'll clearly see the connection.

The cable originally had 2 connectors, with the 2nd connector intended for a 2nd video card. I didn't want a 2nd connector just dangling with no place to go, so I clipped it off as close as I could on the 1st connector. If you look closely at the connector on the zoom, you can see where I clipped off some of the wiring. Each power supply came with 2 sets of those cables, so I still have 3 intact sets left.

Bill


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Thanks, yes I can see that now.  Still looks dang neat!
Fractal Design R5 | Asus  Z170 Pro | Intel i5 6600k | 16 GB G.Skill Ripjaws  DDR4 2133 | Seasonic 650w PSU | eVGA GTX 550 TI | Samsung 960 M2 500 GB | Samsung 850 EVO 500 GB | ASUS Burner | Windows 7 64-bit

scuzzy


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Bill


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Thanks, nice that they provide all that extra wiring.
Fractal Design R5 | Asus  Z170 Pro | Intel i5 6600k | 16 GB G.Skill Ripjaws  DDR4 2133 | Seasonic 650w PSU | eVGA GTX 550 TI | Samsung 960 M2 500 GB | Samsung 850 EVO 500 GB | ASUS Burner | Windows 7 64-bit

Hoot


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Nice rig and pics :)

What is the primary use of this superb rig?

scuzzy


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It's my daily workhorse, Hoot. From everyday net surfing, to photo editing, video editing and maybe some occasional gaming. It will get plenty of spreadsheet workouts, along with a lot of music listening and editing.

Hoot


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Nice. I have the I5 4670k. I do have a 4790k too from a recent purchase, and I am about to install it. Just had to flash the bios to run it since it's a Z87. I figure no need to upgrade to a 6700k platform since the performance difference between that and the 4790k are 5% at best, and that can easily be made up with some slight overclocking. Should hold me for the next 2-3 years just fine.  :)

scuzzy


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I built an Intel i5-4690K system for my wife, which is nearly identical to my i7-4790K system. Aside from the CPU difference, I added a GTX 960 GPU to my system. The software on both are the same, with the only difference being the graphics drivers. Bouncing back and forth between the two, I am hard pressed to tell them apart in performance in everyday use.

But good choice on the i7-4790K. No doubt it will hold you over for a long time. It's a marvelous CPU.

Hoot


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The 4790k is doing quite well. It's been paired with a GTX 980. The CPU is OC'ed to 4.4 on air not bad for an MSI micro board. Getting very nice frame rates in all games the 980 chews them up of course.

scuzzy


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