Try use one stick of ram at a time and swap between them between tests just in case a dud ram stick is a cause. Loosen timings to 9-9-9-24 and put to 1.65 volts.
I dont know that cooler very well but your temps seem a little high. I...
IMO Gen 3 PCI wont make any real difference at this stage. The GPU wasn't pushing the limits of PCI 2 having said that its a little more future proofed. Perhaps new GPUs will be able to push teh PCIe bus harder.
Take a read of...
I agree. Its not a major loss if at all to be using the Snapdragon 600 Proc. I think you would be hard pressed to notice a difference an actual difference in user experience and I personally would rather have LTE.
As far as I know the Octa core version has two sets of 4 cores (one low and one high powered) which only one of which can run at any one time. That in my book really makes it a four core.
The Samsung Octacore version doesnt support LTE...
I would have said CH V-FZ or Saber tooth as well. THis one from Asus fits better with your colour scheme. https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/M5A99FX_PRO_R20/