Picking an i7 processor; need help!

[TakeyB0y2]

Sooo, I'm a bit torn between the i7-3930k [http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX36729] and the i7-3820 [http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX37546].

The 3930k has 6 cores and is 3.20GHz with a 12MB cache.
The 3830 has 4 cores and is 3.60GHz with a 10MB cache.

So based on what I've read before, having the 6-core one would be better for doing things like video editing/rendering and using creative suite programs, while the quad-core would be better for gaming as games don't generally need that many cores and would be able to utilize the higher GHz better (which I guess would be better for games that aren't made to use multiple cores).

Thing is... The computer I'm planning to build will be for both video rendering AND for gaming.

So yeah, I'm a little unsure on what would be better for me :S

Also, another question

I'm planning on getting a 2tb 7200rpm HDD which I will be using as the OS drive and as my main storage, and getting a 128gb SSD drive that I will be installing my games and video editing software on. I'm kinda nervous about installing my OS on an SSD because I'm afraid it will shorten its lifespan a lot, since the OS will be constantly writing to it.

If you find this isn't too big of a deal, please tell me. If that's the case, I'll get a larger SSD drive to install my OS on along with other programs and just use my HDD drive for general storage that I won't notice any speed benefit from.

 

[ShinyCharizard]

Well I can't recommend the 3930k, it's just far too expensive for the performance that you get. Personally, I'd get a i7 3770k and then overclock the thing. It will tear through both gaming and video rendering with ease. Also you will save good money on the motherboard this way.

As for the SSD. I've been using an intel SSD for my OS for over a year with absolutely no issues. So go with Intel or perhaps Crucial as they are considered the most reliable SSD manufacturers.

 

[Boris Goodenough]

Yeah I would go with a 3770k aswell, the Intel hexacores are really only for people with money and people who need that (up to) 25% reduction in rendering time.

SSDs:
Samsung 830/840 pro
Plextor 5M pro
Crucial m4

 

[IndomitableSam]

I'm running a 3770k and have everything cranked up to max settings and it doesn't struggle. Ran over a hundred mods (20+ graphics) on Skyrim, no issues.

I decided against an SSD because of the cost, and because I wasn't going to do video editing and such and it's not a huge difference.

I'm not terribly computer savvy, though, so take other people's word over mine.