Make sure there arent any windows updates. Or you could try turning on defer upgrades. go to update and then advanced (makes it so that the builds are always 100% stable
I personally use Nova, it has alot of features, but honestly, Apex and Nova are pretty much the same. Trebuchet doesnt have nearly as many features. but HEY, its free...
I would try to find a sale/deal of some sort on a 980. I have a Galax one and it is awesome (though i do have coil wine) I would get an Asus one if you are going to go for the GTX 980.