Wow
you realize for $300 you can buy a brand new sapphire Dual-x 7970 right? Or for a few more dollars a 7970 vapor-x if you prefer that.
I used Amazon gift certificates, as stated in the op. I had to get most of the stuff on Amazon, which was conveniently the best prices I could find anyway. I didn't pay anything for them really, I like $0 more. Please link where I can buy a 7970 for $300 and a 7950 for $239.
You paid for windows?
Who does that anymore?
I'm just avoiding hassles for now. If I can find another location to run it at I will end up using Linux and running a server so that I can access it remotely.