Suggestions on Computer build

Shylock

i'm looking into getting my first custom computer in the next year or so but i don't need the highest end parts. I have a budget of about $1200 and i'm just a beginner and part time college student in graphic design. I want to be able to run programs like Maya, Max, Substane Designer/Painter, Unreal, Photoshop, and zbrush without my computer wanting to freeze up. I'm just wondering what would be the best bang for my buck with the budget I have. I will upgrade parts when i see that it's needed but i'm not going to be doing any hardcore projects as i'm just a beginner, so i only need the bare minimum, but not crap either. 

I don't know if an i5 would be more reasonable or an i7?

And as far as GPU's go, i don't know if i should get a GTX 960 or 980. 

i was already looking at getting some sort of SSD with an additional hard drive but i don't know what kind, or the amount of ram i should get also. Thanks for any help you guys. And just keep in mind that i'm not planning on purchasing until a year or two from now so prices may change

AutumnPioneer

I don't think there's really much point thinking about what to get within a certain price limit at this point if you're going to be buying it in a year or two, as the prices will drastically change.

Eric Chadwick

We have a sticky for this subject in Technical Talk.

http://polycount.com/discussion/173350/upgrading-or-building-a-new-pc-this-is-the-thread-for-you