I need help choosing the BEST Intel processor and motherboard

[Nick Liddell]

SORRY FOR THE WALL OF TEXT!

This is my very first PC build. Ever since I came out of the womb I had been interested in computers. I had been an Apple fan up until about a year ago, but since then I've realized that it makes more sense to use a windows/linux and android, and I have since then switched. I'm only 17 but I determine on taking my life into the computer and business field. I am very skilled with computers but not the best (I dont know any programming languages). With this build I am aiming at heightening my computer skills, learning a few languages, playing games at the highest possible detail, and doing video/audio/photo editing.

I need help choosing the best processor and motherboard for the computer I'm building. As far as I've been educated, Intel is the better choice correct? I am looking to spend up to $400-500 on the processor and $150 on the motherboard. What would be a good, no AMAZING combination for what I'm looking for. I'm going to buy the essentials at first (motherboard, processor, GPU, RAM, case, PSU, etc.) and build on it for years to come. I want a motherboard and processor that won't be out of date in 5 years. Would socket LGA 2011 be good for someone like me? I plan on buying multiple graphics cards and monitors.

Anyone that would be able to help me will be GREATLY appreciated!

EDIT: My budget is roughly $1400-2000 for my whole build. I am starting from scratch.

 

[ModernWarfare]

your budget?

 

[Henrik Jensen DK]

It's difficult if not impossible to buy a motherboard and CPU today which one will be able to build on as you say for years to come.
When new processors come out, many times you can't just re-use your motherboard - you have to get a completely new one.
That said, if you get yourself a Core i7-4770K and a quality motherboard from for instance Asus, you should be able to use it at least for 2-3 years, maybe more.
Perhaps wait and get the Haswell Refresh replacement for Core i7-4770K and a motherboard with Z97 chipset.
If you have one of these upcoming motherboards, you should supposedly be able to switch your CPU to a Broadwell later on when these CPUs arrive early next year or so.

Btw. I have a computer science friend who bought a Core i7-2600 with an Asus PBP67 Pro motherboard in 2011.
He just upgraded the graphics card he bought back then to a brand new Radeon R9 290, but he didn't upgrade his CPU and motherboard even though he has plenty of cash to do so.
Reason? He says the CPU can still handle the latest games, as these are more dependent on your graphics card than on your CPU.
Therefore my advice to you is: Get the best CPU, motherboard and graphics card you can afford, and then realize you will probably have to replace your graphics card every now and then because it gets outdated much quicker than your CPU+motherboard.

 

[logainofhades]

For what kind of work you plan to do, plenty of ram and storage is a must. Having 2 monitors is a good thing to have too. I would be lost only having one monitor anymore.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V3 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($244.48 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock B85 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($127.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 480GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($233.95 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($104.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290X 4GB Video Card ($559.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80+ Silver Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.89 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($139.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Dell S2340M 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($145.88 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Dell S2340M 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($145.88 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($32.98 @ Newegg)
Speakers: Cyber Acoustics CA3001WB 14W 2.1ch Speakers ($21.56 @ Mwave)
Total: $2008.04
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-16 13:56 EDT-0400)