Best CPU, RAM for Asus P5G41-M LE?

[cpmackenzi]

I was hoping to build a new machine, but some unexpected budget issues have prevented me from spending the $800-1000 I'd originally have liked. I'm dying to play Alien: Isolation next month, and it says the minimum CPU is Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 and 4 GB of memory. I'm sitting at E6500 and 4 GB of memory.

For the foreseeable future, all I'm going to be able to afford is a few hundred at most. I've already upgraded to a decent graphics card (GeForce GTX 750 Ti) and have a SSD for my C:\ drive.

My mobo is the Asus P5G41-M LE. I see some lists out there for all allegedly acceptable processors, but because this is older technology, some of them are pretty darned expensive and likely not worth the money -- I might as well save to build a new machine. For example, the Intel Core 2 Extreme Qx9650 Quad Core Processor runs anywhere from $150-600. I'm looking for the best upgrade for the price, obviously have to be E8500 or better.

Also, same issue with RAM. Obviously limited to DDR2 with the mobo, so is it worth the expense to buy 8 GB of DDR2? Compared to simply throwing in the towel and starting the slow save for an entirely new machine?

 

[JamesHeller]

RAM-http://www.newegg.com/global/in/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820367064&cm_re=ram-_-20-367-064-_-Product
PROCESSOR
Intel Xeon PrO.Cessor 3000 Sequence, Intel Core 2 Quad PrO.Cessor, Intel Core 2 Quad Desktop PrO.Cessor, Intel Core 2 Duo Desktop PrO.Cessor, Intel Pentium Desktop, Intel Celeron PrO.Cessor, Intel Celeron Desktop PrO.Cessor, Intel Celeron Dual-Core PrO.Cessor, Intel Xeon PrO.Cessor, Quad-Core Intel Xeon PrO.Cessor, Dual-Core Intel Xeon PrO.Cessor
all these are compatible

 

[cpmackenzi]

RAM-http://www.newegg.com/global/in/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820367064&cm_re=ram-_-20-367-064-_-Product
PROCESSOR
Intel Xeon PrO.Cessor 3000 Sequence, Intel Core 2 Quad PrO.Cessor, Intel Core 2 Quad Desktop PrO.Cessor, Intel Core 2 Duo Desktop PrO.Cessor, Intel Pentium Desktop, Intel Celeron PrO.Cessor, Intel Celeron Desktop PrO.Cessor, Intel Celeron Dual-Core PrO.Cessor, Intel Xeon PrO.Cessor, Quad-Core Intel Xeon PrO.Cessor, Dual-Core Intel Xeon PrO.Cessor
all these are compatible

Regarding the link, that's going to run $250 for just the 8 GB of RAM. And I still need to get a processor. Would I be better off simply saving my money for newer/better RAM for a new machine? That's the issue I have right now.

In theory my RAM at least meets the minimum. My CPU is the bigger issue because it's below the minimum.

 

[cpmackenzi]

Update: From what I can gather in the last few days, the best processor option is the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650, which will run $150-200. Getting 8 GB of RAM will cost me $150+. At this point my machine will be maxed out in terms of CPU and RAM.

Does anyone think it's an okay option to spend $300 this way, as opposed to simply waiting a few months (and delaying my play of Alien: Isolation) for a new machine? My SSD and vid card in this tower are good to move to new machine, so may only cost me $500+ for the rest of my new parts (CPU, RAM, mobo, maybe tower, etc.).

 

[mlga91]

Take a look at this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Mwave)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Total: $311.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-15 21:55 EDT-0400

Its better to invest on newer hardware, investing that much on a older system is not quite a good idea.

 

[cpmackenzi]

Take a look at this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Mwave)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Total: $311.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-15 21:55 EDT-0400

Its better to invest on newer hardware, investing that much on a older system is not quite a good idea.

Thanks, mlga91. The CPU was one thing, but spending the same on RAM had me worried it wasn't really worth it. I hate having to install everything new (Windows, Word, games), but the return value probably makes it my best choice.