Best config for $1700

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V3 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($249.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($126.00 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 290 4GB DirectCU II Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($399.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 290 4GB DirectCU II Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($399.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case ($124.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($116.66 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1679.56
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-09 13:49 EDT-0400)

Completely new build, being able to get great performance - even better at 4k.
Reasons for my pick -
The cpu - It is not just server, more for the gamer wanting i7 performance with i5 money. I know you could have single graphics and i7, but this is for what you need now, and possibly in future games supporting better hyperthreading. It is not just server grade, it does not need ecc ram. The only thing its lacking, is integrated graphics and a 200mhz lower clock.
The cooler - could leave it out, but for quiet operation, it will work great. As said - you can leave it out
The motherboard - I choose Z97 because it supports better sli/crossfire support - 8x 8x instead of 8x 4x of something like h97. If you ran single graphics, it would be fine with just h97.
Memory - HyperX looking good, pick your color, tighten the timings, and boom you got great ram with great looks and a good price.
Storage - no SSD - what is this madness? It is SSHD. Solid State Hybrid Drive. In the beginning it will have hdd performance, but it automatically detects most frequently loaded data, and stores it on some super fast flash, giving you almost as good performance as ssd and the storage of a hard drive - 1tb.
Video card - Total overkill for 1080p, please understand it, but you had a budget and i used it. Great performance for higher resolution or triple monitor.
Case - Its personal preference - you could pick something completely different and other than that - no comments. I think it is a nice case from corsair.
Power Supply - 80+ gold - good. Single rail - good. 850w for cfx and sli - good. Made by super flower if i recall correctly, and 10 year warranty. You cant go wrong with it. Great unit.
No optical drive - you could buy one if you wanted one
OS - 8.1 can be better for new games, but i really think it shines in desktop use. So many useful features, even better for higher resolutions which the graphics can handle. You may pick windows 7 if you prefer it though.

Conclusion -
Total overkill and 4k "ready". I think you should give us some information on what you need, what you will be doing, and what you want. I can't know if you want to overclock, if you video edit, if you need optical drive, what case you like.