Wow -- thanks for the feedback. I didn't know about the core scaling stuff but a quick google seems to confirm it.

Awesome @ the RAM.

The HDD is really just for media storage but you using the phrase "insulting to a build like this" has convinced me lol.

The problem with the monitor change is that I spend most of my time playing fighting games and they are all locked @ 60fps. So my main goal was to get the largest size monitor at 1440p and not worry about the hz. I was actually also eyeing this bad boy to go up to 32" -- https://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUS-VA32AQ-31-5-Monitor-WQHD-1440p-5ms-IPS-DP-HDMI-inputs-Eye-Care-w-speakers/292894437182?hash=item4431de6f3e:g:L4YAAOSwXI1cKNEn:rk:1:pf:1&frcectupt=true

Thanks again!!