About the msi tiger 970, why is it cheaper than the other msi 970. Is it just bc it has downgrade cooler?

Edit: and what do you think about the 4gb 960?

This post has been edited by ikhwan1: May 20 2015, 09:55 PM

If you see Zotac/EVGA, they have even more models of a same card (970 in this case).
https://www.evga.com/Products/ProductList.a...chipset=GTX+970
http://www.zotac.com/products/graphics-car...ct/gtx-970.html

Most of the time they just tweak the clockrate/cooler. Only for some special high end models they may tweak with the voltage, VRM and so on to make it more overclockable. As long as it is still a GTX970, it not going to bother you much as a typical consumer.

Honestly speaking, GTX960 is somehow a "weak" card. Previously, Nvidia's new card is better/on par than the "a tier higher" old card. For example, GTX770 about GTX680, GTX760 about GTX670. But Nvidia decide to make the GTX960 "just a better maxwell GTX760", which is still some gaps to GTX770. Also, for it's performance and bus width, there aren't going to be much occasion of you to utilize its 4GB RAM. You are better off stick with 3.5+0.5GB GTX970, which offer reasonably more power.

Thanks for the recommendation! I've searched back some of the post from this thread and found that Asrock H81M-VG4 is cheaper (trying to save some budget if difference is negligible). Is there any important performance difference between H81M-VG4 and B85M-HDS? I've googled and found that B85M-HDS had a 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 port that H81M-VG4 doesnt (excluding the number of USB 3.0 ports). Is the PCI-E port important for future proof?

This post has been edited by LovelyPotato: May 20 2015, 10:26 PM

You run your GPU on PCIE slot.

PCIE V3.0 is definitely more recommended in long run.

Alright, sounds better for future upgrade. Will be getting this one I guess. Thanks!

Were looking for a motherboard for the I7 4790k, then I stumble upon this few motherboard priced around RM400 with the connector I want which have 4 or more 4-pin fan connector and a display port that priced around RM400

MSI H97 GAMING 3
GIGABYTE GA-H97-GAMING 3
GIGABYTE GA-H97M-GAMING 3
ASUS VANGUARD B85

which is the best among all?

and I also found MSI Z87 MPOWER SP price was RM479 on Viewnet Pricelist but when I search on Lowyat forum garage sales section the price is around RM300 more.

If "futureproof" is among your bigger concern, I will suggest H97 over the two above.

One simple reason is the extra RAM slots. Another is H97 can support Broadwell CPU while the two above can't.

Never pair "k" CPU with non-Z series mobo, it is a waste...

But still, not all Z-series boards are created equal. I recommend at minimum budget of RM600 if you want at least a decent one.

This post has been edited by Human10: May 20 2015, 10:33 PM

How does it differs from Z series mobo and non Z Series mobo if i am using k series processor?

Z-series mobo allow overclocking on k series processor, generally have more robust VRM and some more misc features.

This post has been edited by Human10: May 20 2015, 10:38 PM

oh..then i'd better go with the non k series..but which motherboard is better in terms of quality and reliability? and what is the actual price of MSI Z87 MPOWER SP?

Thanks

Viewnet price at RM479
http://www.lowyat.net/pc-hardware-pricelist-viewnet/

As for reliability, it is very random and more to your luck.

This post has been edited by Human10: May 20 2015, 10:46 PM

but all the forum-er priced their z87 Mpower SP at around Rm700..viewnet price mistake?

Possible, Jayacom price also over RM700.
http://www.lowyat.net/pc-hardware-pricelist-jayacom/

sorry, 3gb. which is obviously more.
also 128 bit memory bus?...

anyways it just my opinion.

Thanks for the infomation. Even if i only do light gaming and most of the time doing autocad. I still should go for 970? Or i should increase the ram, processor or bigger SSD maybe?

sorry to ask that what you means by 'light' gaming?if you demand for higher texture or higher graphic settings to looks more stunning and to maintain the playable FPS, u should consider GTX970 instead of GTX960. SSD nvr affect the FPS, it jz shorten your loading time of the game.but still depends on yourself=)

Light or hardcore gaming don't affect the decision of GPU you choose. It is about how detailed graphic settings and resolution you plan to run on and your budget you willing to pay for a GPU.

But since your rig's main purpose is workstation for autocad, I do feel that it is better to have minimum 16GB of RAM. CAD works and so on can be real memory guzzler sometimes.

Since adding in extra 8GB RAM will make it breach your budget, I do suggest you to forgo the 970 and opt for GTX960, the cheapest one you can find will do (2 or 4GB don't matter, I won't get 4GB if it cost 10% more than cheapest 2GB model I can find) . You might have a little spare change for a SSD as you wished.

As for CPU, it is as fine as it is now. Further upgrading it require RM200+ and the gain is marginal...

This post has been edited by Human10: May 21 2015, 11:20 AM

what aftermarket cpu cooler are the best in price to performance ratio?

Before this, it is Cooler Master's 212 evo/+ (I can't recall which one it is),

But now after GST, its price is pretty high...