Search for a motherboard compatible with an Intel Core i5-6500 processor.
Search for a motherboard compatible with an Intel Core i5-6500 processor.
No, purchasing a current part isn't excessive, particularly since the alternative is a 7-year-old CPU that wasn't very powerful at its purchase.
It hinges on the savings amount, but it must be under half the cost of the i3 AMD board for it to even count. I’d likely choose the i3 in most cases. With such minimal price variation, the i3 would last longer and support games beyond TF2.
You can find a refurbished 6-core Ryzen 1600 or 2600 unit for about 130 CAD. You might also discover an i3 10100f, which offers more cores than the 6500.
Available motherboards include LGA1151 models from the 100/200 series, though they’re no longer sold new. The i5-6500 is also out of stock, meaning you’ll likely purchase a used version.
This price seems quite steep. If you're looking for older models, there are much better choices in used XEons. The E5 2690 v2 can be acquired at roughly half the cost if you shop wisely; you'll miss out on some base performance, but you gain consistent boosts and 10 cores/20 threads. HOWEVER, I'd still prefer a newer model since others have mentioned significant improvements. The IPC gains are substantial.
The 300-series works only with Intel 8th and 9th generation processors. The 6th generation fits with 100-series and 200-series boards such as B150, H110, Z170, Z270, etc., depending on the specific Xeon model. Lower core counts suit non-server systems. These CPUs are no longer produced, so finding a brand-new board is unlikely; you’ll likely need to check used options.