I'll chime back in here by adding this to the mix - a new motherboard constitutes a new computer when it comes to Windows licensing. This mean, if your current Windows licenses is an OEM/System Builders license, as the vast majority are, to be legal, you would have to buy a new license too because under no circumstance can OEM/SB licenses legally be transferred to new computers.
So that adds even more money you are throwing at this old computer.
If you are dead set on upgrading from that i5-2500 to an i7 in the immediate future, your current board supports several i7s.
This ASUS H61 board supports the i7-2600K. If waiting to build the budget for a new computer is not in the picture, I recommend you look into used i7s and stick with that board. With the money you save, if not ready to go for a whole new computer, you might have enough left over to up your RAM to 16GB.
But you really need to think strategically (long term) here. You current board uses DDR3. That will not carry over to a new (current) board as they use DDR4. And it is unlikely the 2600K will carry over either. And since you are venturing into the realm of advanced users, you likely will need a new PSU with the new computer, not to mention a new case to get the latest USB version and better cooling options.
My point is, if upgrading this old system now to carry you over until the budget supports a new computer, I agree with the others and just wait - especially since this computer is still working.
Some users here forgot that investing into a new cpu+board also means new ram so yes for 70$
No we didn't. It seems you forgot to do your homework before posting.
A new board does not always mean new RAM. And to that, some of us knew already, and some of us checked before posting: H61 boards use DDR3 and so do P67 boards. Not all DDR3 is compatible of course, but there is a good chance this RAM will carry over.
But the question remains, is it worth investing in old technology hardware now? Or is it better to just wait, build up the budget and buy all new with the latest technologies?