3 Commando Brigade

Actually it makes F all difference unless you're really wanting to overclock like mad. 

I'd go for the brand with the best package i.e. free games etc. Then something that cools well/quietly

ASUS are good, but you pay for the brand a little. MSI are lovely. EVGA - very good warranty etc

The 970 is a beast. Unless you play lots of other games, there's no need to get a 980. Arma is primarily CPU bound, so getting even the best graphic card will make 0% difference on performance. I'd spend more on the CPU (considering they are usually upgraded less often than GPUs, you'd want to future-proof yourself).

Ill be doing a new MB within the year to the latest i7 gen. The SSD has madr a world of difference. I have steam mover which helps

Parker 3CB

Getting a high-powered GPU won't help you get better FPS on missions but it will allow you to crank that FSAA setting to higher levels or, in case you fancy running a 980Ti/Titan X, even over-sample the game (assuming you're not already playing at 4K). So while you'll get the same slideshow everybody else is getting on e.g. KOTH your individual slides will be looking a lot prettier  Is that worth several hundred quid more than a 970.... I personally don't think so, I'm just saying that there is an advantage to a more powerful GPU, even if it's not going to give you higher FPS in the missions.

And windows 10 is now running

Parker 3CB

Awesome. Glad it went fairly smooth dude. 

For M.2 - just check they don't prevent other slots from functioning properly.

On my ASUS MB they disable one of the PCI express slots, to share the bandwidth... Not good for SLi

Worth checking on other's findings

J

Yep....even high end boards don't properly give it its own channel...