Reply To: Advise for building a computer for blender

Like Spikey says with GPU, CPU, RAM, it does depend on what you are doing with Blender.
The best GPU will give you better render results and speeds, hold on…
The more RAM, the larger the scenes you can build in Blender without lagging and potential freezing or crashes, hold on…
The CPU, as in the name, Central Processing, think of this as a bridge between all hardware components, RAM to GPU, RAM to HDD, etc., etc., the more lanes the bridge has (number of cores) and higher the speed limit in GHz the less potential for CPU bottlenecks.
Having said that, some modern GPU’s can communicate directly with RAM, this will also depend on OS and up to date software and drivers.

In conclusion, the best you can afford in balance. GPU, CPU, RAM order is a good guide, but don’t go best GPU, Average CPU, terrible RAM. While learning your likely to have multiple tasks and apps running, internet browser watching CGCookie courses, Blender, notepad maybe, texturing software such as InstaMat, and more, so a good balance is required, you will not only have Blender open.  
Personally, I would say look for the best CPU you can afford, then even if you need to wait until next payday, look at purchasing the best GPU and RAM you can afford.
GPU’s and RAM sticks are much easier to upgrade later than the CPU.

Additional considerations:
Don’t forget cooling, I prefer positive air pressure with a top vented case. I have three front fans drawing in cool air, one rear extractor fan expelling warm air, and the natural flow of warm air is up through the top vent. Negative air pressure (too many extractor fans) won’t actually cool the hardware as some believe, no air means no cooling. AND don’t do water cooled, it can look pretty with RGB lighting, but the potential to destroy your computer is too great a risk in my opinion, and you still need to make sure the water is cooled sufficiently. Regular maintenance should not be overlooked with water cooling. Like a fish tank the water needs replacing regularly.

Go for a decent SSD for OS and programs and an additional decent HDD for general file storage if you think you will need it with all the unfinished Blender projects you will acquire over the coming months and years.

What else?
Two or more monitors, microphone, camera, headphones, the list goes on and on once you live and breathe Blender.
Woah! That wall of text makes me look like an expert, far from it, although I did used to work for a company building computer systems and servers for businesses, I haven’t really kept up with all the hardware tech changes over the years. However I do hope you find this useful if you read it to the end.