Build under 600, need advice and confirmation

You can aim for an i3 z68 that will at least give you a chance to go i5 later.

1

NZXT Source 210 S210-001 Black “Aluminum Brush / Plastic” ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811146075
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$39.99
1

HGST HDS721050CLA362 (0F10381) 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822145299
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant


$79.99
$69.99
1

PowerColor AX6850 1GBD5-DH Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card ...
Item #: N82E16814131374
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
-$15.00 Instant


$154.99
$139.99
1

----------combo-----------Has a psu that will give you some room down the road

CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 V2 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139028
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9
Item #: N82E16820233144
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
-$15.00 Combo
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card


$134.98
$109.98
1

---------combo mobo/i3 , the mobo is ok just not a lot offered. You can get a better mobo and still stay under 600.


BIOSTAR TZ68K+ LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813138344
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32100
Item #: N82E16819115078
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
-$25.00 Instant
-$18.00 Combo


$244.98
$201.98
Subtotal: $561.93

Another build with a better mobo and gpu:

1

NZXT Source 210 S210-001 Black “Aluminum Brush / Plastic” ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811146075
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$39.99
1

HGST HDS721050CLA362 (0F10381) 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822145299
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant


$79.99
$69.99
1

EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1463-KR GeForce GTX 560 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video ...
Item #: N82E16814130664
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card


$179.99
$169.99
1


CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 V2 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139028
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9
Item #: N82E16820233144
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
-$15.00 Combo
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card


$134.98
$109.98
1


Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32100
Item #: N82E16819115078
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813157279
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
-$18.00 Combo


$234.98
$206.98
Subtotal: $596.93

but is a core i3 as future proof? since it's only a double core and not a quad...

In the next 4-5 years, are games expected to start using threading more and more?

Futureproofing is a myth. Any PC gaming build is obsolete and slow within 2yrs. Simple. Doesn't matter if its 800 or 2000. Spend around 900 now and upgrade as necessary after 2yrs. And yes, games are using threading more and more. A core i3 isn't worth it. You want a Phenom x4 965 or equivalent minimum.

Z77 w/ an i5 or even an i3 with a powerful graphics card. The Z77 chipset has PCIe 3.0, though you'll want to find a board with PCIe 2.0, and 3.0 which is very doable. I got the GA-Z77-D3H which has both slots. I'm using a 560, but will be getting a 670 FTW next month.

I just bought an i5 3570k, mobo, case, ram, and cpu cooler for under $550. though I also already have the HDD, Graphics, and Power supply.

I got the GA-Z77-D3H w/ i5 3570k for $340~ tonight.

You don't seem to understand, I'm not worried about the flashiest graphics, and I don't have 900 to spend. All I want is something that will be functional for the next 4-5 years. I am however seriously considering getting a 965 rather than an i3. Of those, which one should game better?

I understand, I was showing you how you could upgrade o_O I even pointed out your "Best" option would be to get the i3 w/ a powerful graphics card. Sorry to disappoint but the i3 probably wouldn't last you 4-5 years, maybe the i5.

Nothing lasts for 5yrs. A 965 will be good enough until Piledriver so around a year unless Piledriver fails again. Like I said tech moves too fast. Nothing is stable or futureproof.

Whatever you do don't get an AMD processor o_o. It can't compete with Intel, gaming or otherwise...

Go with build B. Stick with the i3. You at least have an upgrade path to an 2500k as needed. Games are just no there yet tho. As for AMD, at this point the i3 can match any AMD cpu out and AMD's upgrade path does not look very good.