can you futureproof a motherboard?

Solution
It also depends on how far in the future you plan to still be using this PC. Most quad core and up CPUs made since 2008 can still run any game out in 1080p maxed out with the right video card. Right now, that Pentium G3258 is the best entry level CPU since it is the only dual core Intel that you can overclock in the Haswell lineup. And since it requires that you have a Z87 or Z97 board, when you are able to afford an i5, you can get an unlocked one. That motherboard + i5 Haswell/Broadwell should last you well beyond the end of the warranty if you upgrade the video card a couple of times. In fact, I'd start out with a better GPU than a 7850 or just use the integrated GPU in the Pentium for now until you can afford one. You can play many...

jaraldo

Honorable
For under $500 and upgradeable means you'll only have a so-so computer right now.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($88.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.92 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 1GB Core Edition Video Card ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $544.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-18 19:34 EDT-0400

Didn't know if you needed an OS.

With that CPU, you can overclock it later when you get a cpu cooler/better GPU, then after get a nice i5 :)
 

cub_fanatic

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Nov 21, 2012
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It also depends on how far in the future you plan to still be using this PC. Most quad core and up CPUs made since 2008 can still run any game out in 1080p maxed out with the right video card. Right now, that Pentium G3258 is the best entry level CPU since it is the only dual core Intel that you can overclock in the Haswell lineup. And since it requires that you have a Z87 or Z97 board, when you are able to afford an i5, you can get an unlocked one. That motherboard + i5 Haswell/Broadwell should last you well beyond the end of the warranty if you upgrade the video card a couple of times. In fact, I'd start out with a better GPU than a 7850 or just use the integrated GPU in the Pentium for now until you can afford one. You can play many games in 720p on just the iGPU with acceptable FPS (in the high teens to 20's for AAA games which isn't terrible). Then once you have the money, the first thing you should upgrade is the GPU. Spend at least $200 on something like a 280x or 7970 GHz. Anything under that and you will find yourself upgrading a lot sooner. Then do the CPU. Then an SSD. Then RAM (8GB is good enough for now).
 
Solution

jaraldo

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^--- yup, totally agree. If you can wait to save up for an r9 280 or higher and just bare with the integrated graphics, that would be a nice way to go about it.

I just know many people who want these cheap builds do not want to wait 1-2 months to save up. :p

It's really hard to have upgradeable+overclock+decent build+Operating system in the $500 range though, that is the best build I could come up with that is close to the $500 budget.