@@WhOaMi_Gaming

Short version (TLDR):
I have not build my own rig/workstation in years and decided it was time to get back to it. I also decided my cousin needed an upgraded as he is going into his Senior year of high school and I wanted him to have the best resources he won’t use for studying.

Build 1:
4970k, r920x DD by XFX, 16 gig ddr 3, msi krait edition mobo, intel 500 series ssd, asus 24’ 1080p 144Hz gaming monitor (my old one + my old gaming keyboards, mice, etc). Windows 10 Pro.
I heard great things about XFX but they still have not returned my phone call or responded to my ticket. The card I received from NewEgg was idling at 50C+ due to one of the fans being broken? So to speak. NewEgg did not offer a refund for the card but an exchange, however, they were out of stock. I got the refund and put it towards a hyper fury x. Let’s say I was impressed by the AMD drivers but nothing else. I gave him one of my 980 TI’s and off he went.
I understand fully why NewEgg is such a stickler about returns now. Certain companies are terrible about replacing products they mass produce – this is beyond absurd and I refuse to give my money to any company like this.
First time using NewEgg in years. I’d say it’s 50/50 in terms of customer support/service on the person or supervisor you get. I had a guy from “Premier Phone Support” lie to me, tell me that after he hung up on me I could rate the conversation with him. Needless to say, they lost me as a customer that day save for great deals, never will buy premier again.
Intel Core i7-4790K
GTX 980 TI FTW (EVGA)

Build #2

980 TI FTW (EVGA) x2 SLI (currently running only 1 this fury x of his I returned).. Honestly, may not happen until I find a reason to game @ 4k 144+ refresh/freq rate (without “down sampling” ....
I primarily play E-Sports game. If I start streaming again more actively and find a need for it there I'll pick up the pace. Otherwise, I plan to snag the new GPU’s this summer.
Windows 10 Pro
32 gigs DDR3
Gigabyte GA-Z97X-GAMING 7
Acer XF270HU 144Hz 27" Monitor (Primary Gaming Display). Few more that I have bought and returned. I am trying to find that sweet spot display, especially an ultra wide that does what I need. 144Hz @ 1440p is a must for my gaming experience, however, I need that business ultra wide @ 4k that I can stream Netflix on, etc.. There is so much technology I have yet to play around with and this is (sad to admit) my first SSD. Never going back to HDD/s and only using them for cold storage now. I got x2 490/500 gig SSD’s. I love them, just nothing else to say.

After thought and things I would have done differently:

I will only work on a full size mobo. I am 6’5 and anything smaller is just a pain for me. Out of everything the dark pro 3 (be quiet) aftermarket cpu cooler was the biggest pain in the ass to install due to my large hands.
I’ll update more after I overclock the cpu and gpu but for now I am very happy gamer in search of an ultra-wide still.

Researched displays a lot more.
Found the website that listed the MSRP + lowest price sold for and where on all items I was interested in.
Never buy another HDD with cloud storage and my 500 from my past I am good for nonprofessional use.
Bought both my cousin and I larger cases and him a larger mobo.
Stay away from anyone but companies I know and unfortunately, I don’t know any AMD. I am not a “Nvidia fanboy” and was very impressed at how the 290x ran without being overclocked. until later that night when I noticed how hot it was and checked afterburner. I was very nervous and still after 3 weeks have no response from XFX. Just ruined AMD cards for me this year.
I would have researched overclocking a lot more. I have yet to OC either mobo or cpu and if I never do I wasted some money going with the k version and their mobos.

All in all, I am happy especially for keeping the price of both workstations / gaming rigs under 2,600$ (not including displays/peripherals)
I might be back to bitch about my 980 TI FTW by EVGA but I doubt it. This thing is a monster that I never hear coming.

Time to a few days off from csgo and dota to play some games that show me the beauty of this card.
Take care all, Happy New Years..