The 970 is definitely worth the price difference; a 960 will last you about as long as your 550 TI lasted you. Regarding the 960s, the 4 GB is not worth the money over 2 GB unless you do animation, video editing, etc.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.