First Build need some help

[patonb]

Not in general use, most applications only will use 4 cores tops, so the extra fake cores aren't too much help.

 

[jasonalwaysready]

Sorry this could be semi off topic but is the i7 sandybridge 2600k really worth the money over the i5 sandybridge 2500k

you said that this was a workstation more than a gaming computer. The extra cores will help with that.

if it is actually a gaming computer that you once in a while retouch photos from the family vacation, then get the i5-2500k.