CPU upgrade question. Cheap i5-2500 or going up to i5-4460 or i5-6500

[garfielder]

I am thinking of finally upgrading from my old Phenom II x4 965 Black.

Currently I have an option of getting i5-2500 for around 40$ or I can
go and buy Intel Core i5-4460 for around 190 (And that's seems like a lot of money for processor for me personally.)
or try going to skylake (Intel Core i5-6500 for 209?)
Broadwell seems to be a unicorn that is way to pricy, not available and not clear what the point really is.

So summary
40$ i5-2500 today
190$ i5-4460
210$ i5-6500


This will be used with 4GB AMD R9 380

I am really not sure that going to 4th or 6th generation worth the money.
Only downside it is hard to find a board for i5-2500.
What would you be your advise ?

 

[ChumP]

The I5 2500 should be the best option there.
That CPU will handle the R9 380 and won't bottleneck anything.

 

[why_wolf]

I'm still using my 2500k, great little chip. The newer ones are better obviously but I don't feel like the 2500 holds me back in any way. Only problem these days is the selection of motherboards for its socket type is small and shrinking.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

If you had a 2500, then there's no real reason to upgrade. But building a new box or upgrading, I really can't justify investing in EOL (end-of-life) equipment. The 1155 socket is a dead platform. Anything used you buy from that era will be out of warranty. Buying a 2500 / and 155 MoBo puts you in a position that if MoBo dies, your CPU restricts you pretty much to buying off e-bay.

Last I looked on newegg for example, there was only one socket 1155 MoBo listed and it wasn't one I could recommend. In January, Sandy Bridge will be five years old. If ya just looking to get buy for 6 - 12 months, and looking at the parts as "throw aways" (MoBo / CPU cost < $75 or so) to keep you going until then, it may be worth the risk. But I would expect it to give up the ghost well before the 380 does.