First PC build and i could use some help.

[drubsam103]

Approximate Purchase Date: 1 - 2 Weeks

Budget Range: $1000 before rebates and after tax

System Usage from Most to Least Important: ( gaming, surfing the internet, picture editing)

Are you buying a monitor: not now



Parts to Upgrade: everything current PC http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=c01612549

Do you need to buy OS: Yes windows 7 home 64 bit
Please note that if you're using an OEM license of Windows, you will need a new one when buying a new motherboard.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: microcenter.com

Location: Northeast Ohio. there is a microcenter near my location so i prefer to use that to avoid shipping payments

Parts Preferences: i was looking at cpu and i am stuck between Intel i5 2500k for 159.99 and AMD FX 8150 eight core

Overclocking: Yes i would like to try and learn too.

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution: 1440x900 but i would like to upgrade to a 1080p monitor in the future

Additional Comments: I am also stuck between GTX 500s vs cards or Radeon 6000s vs 7000s
600s. I really want to play ArmA and have alot of AI so a fast CPU would be nice and some nice graphics.
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: my old PC sucks and consoles are limited.

 

[obsama1]

No competition. i5 smokes the FX. However, if you get the 3570K for $190, you get $50 off your mobo, so it ends up cheaper than getting the i5 2500K.

With your budget, you can get the 3570K, a 670, and 8GB of RAM.

 

[drubsam103]

i heard the 3570k doesn't overclock as well and gets really hot. a 670 really?

 

[azeem40]

Since he needs a OS, a Radeon 7870 might be the max GPU he can afford.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/f9ch

That is without MOBO and CPU. I'd get this combo from microcenter:
i5-3570k $190+tax: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0388577
ASRock Z77 Pro3 $45+tax: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387627

Could you add those to your cart and see what the total is?

 

[obsama1]

The 3570K OC's on a good air cooler to 4.3/4.4. That's about 4.8 for the 2500K. It only gets hot once you start changing voltages.