Intel vs. AMD $1500 Gaming Rig Showdown!

The XFX r9-290 is good. If you want the physX and the nvidia software, then here is a build with a GTX 770 4GB. The 4 GB of vram gives you a little more "future proofing" for games with higher resolution textures... like modded skyrim. The r9-290 will give you more FPS, but the GTX 770 is still very good and has the software you like. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

**You can save a little money by getting the GTX 770 2GB model, but if its in budget, then I would recommend the 4gb.

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/h8zPgs

Yeah I think I prefer this. I want to use Nvidia Shadow Play to record some gameplay too. Thanks a lot you've been a huge help. Anyways, apparently you need to remove some drive bays because the R9 290 is too long for that Fractal core 3000. 

I'd personally go for a R9 290, and use Intel's Quick-Sync to record gameplay.

Ok, but how would I fit the R9 290 into the Fractal Design 3000 then? Would I need to remove the drive cage?

You can remove the upper HDD cage without any problems. I think it just has a single screw.

There are two drive cage/bays.

http://www.fractal-design.com/media/f53ea057-a4a1-4dd7-99d7-7f615dba59a5

Remove the top one.

http://images.bit-tech.net/content_images/2013/01/fractal-design-core-3000-review/core3000-17b.jpg

Oh ok thanks!