What you've basically outlined here is mostly why I don't do the more modern GPUs. Its so much cheaper to pick up some used 3000-5000 Series ATi/AMD GPUs (likewise with Nvidia) and play and not worry about them dying like you would, as you say, a 980Ti. No way would I v mod anything like that lol Not that I've Hard Mod anything yet, but again older gen stuff is the best, imo, place to start that.
I do prefer the 3D stuff more than the 2D, but I don't pay as much attention to the points but I will look to see what I can do point wise with the CPU I have available to run. Doubt I'll be doing much Vantage as you seem to need a crazy fast 4C/8T CPU to compete with the Extreme edition CPUs lol