First-time builder-- ~$1,000

[jkauffman]

Hello! First time poster + soon to be first time builder. I've been researching and wanted to run my build by ya'll.

Case - Antec 900
Mobo - ASRock 990FX
Graphics Card - HD 6850
PSU - Corsair 750W
CPU - Phenom II x6
RAM - Corsair Vengeance 8gb
SSD - OCZ Vertex 3 120gb
CPU Cooler - Cooler Master 212

Will be purchasing an internal 1tb HDD at a later date; have to have my SSD though... installed one on my laptop, and I can't go back! I'll mainly be using this computer for 3D work (3DMax, Zbrush), digital painting (Photoshop, etc), and lots of gaming. I'll be overclocking in the future, as well as doubling up on the video cards. Please let me know if anymore information is needed. I appreciate everyone's help!!

 

[ultimabeam]

-I'd knock the PSU down to a 650W model; you'll save $20 there no problem.
-The CPU you have picked out isn't a Black Edition processor, which will make overclocking MUCH more difficult down the road. At your budget range, I'd recommend an Intel build anyway (i5-2500k and a P67 or Z68 motherboard).
-For heavy gaming, I'd bump up to a 6950 or equivalent.

 

[jkauffman]

Thanks for the response!

I had read something about the Black Edition processors, but none of the Phenom II Black Editions were available. From what I understand, the i5-2500k is a beast, but will it outperform a 6-core?

 

[jkauffman]

Oo, also, are there any P67 or Z68 mobo's in particular you'd recommend?

 

[ultimabeam]

I'd recommend this ASRock mobo.

The i5-2500k should outperform that Phenom II x6 in almost all cases.

 

[jkauffman]

hmm, so i'm stuck deciding if i want to go for the i7-2600k, or go with the 2500k. is the extra $100 and hyper threading really worth it? if i go with the 2500k, i could get a 6950, but if i go with the 2600k, i'd have to stick with a 6850.

decisions decisions...

 

[ultimabeam]

I would strongly recommend i5-2500k + 6950, and I imagine most builders here would too

 

[jkauffman]

awesome, thanks. is upgrading the processor down the line too terribly difficult?

 

[jkauffman]

looking at this 6950. any feedback? i'm also thinking i'll spend the extra $100 and go with the i7-2600k. having the hyper-threading is comforting to me for future proofing reasons, and is apparently just as easy to OC as the 2500k.