UK pre-built system under $500

[bubonic]

Birthday boy (friend) just got 500 pounds for a new desktop pc. Im worrried that he'l end up with a heap of crap since he knows next to nuffin bout 'puters.

Anyone recomend a reputable UK dealer with good pre-builts for him to view or even a system bargain you've seen recently.

Being as i'm here in australia i cant go shopping with him or build him a cheap gaming rig, so i'm counting on you guys to help

thanking you in advance

bubonic

[kalniel]

USD, AUD, or GBP?

[Phage]

Hmmm. The market is better in Aus for this sort of thing. Here it's mostly online and Scan who are associated with these boards are one of the better ones. I'd suggest some sort of AMD build with perhaps a 955 and a NV460 GPU. Alternatively an i3 Intel build.
Do you need an OS, Screen etc ?

EDIT: Not used these people myself, but there are some examples of what's available.
http://www.dinopc.com/shop/pc/pcs-ga...FeFc4wodsH8swA

[bubonic]

500 pounds that is, and being so cheap would imagine an ati based system just to get a few more bang for bucks outa that.

[Phage]

Actually the 460 is cheaper here.
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1GB-P...DVI-D-Sub-HDMI
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1GB-X...-DL-DVI-I-HDMI
http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Compo...roductId=41164
http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Compo...roductId=40733

[Domestic_Ginger]

That £400 DinoPC has a sub-par MB - Asus M4N68T-M.

Quick search looks like the GPU is going to be a GTS250 1GB at that price point and a low end CPU; doesn't sem like much for the money

[kalniel]

I'd be tempted to go for a cheap Mesh system like this:
http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default...N=desktop_box2

And choose the upgraded graphics card option. Not ideal for gaming, but it's cheap. Not as good as the DinoPC spec-wise, if they're reputable then go for that one.

[Domestic_Ginger]

I take it he needs a screen/keyboard/mouse?

How old is the birthday boy? Scan offer insurance on parts during installation if you are willing to offer moral support I am sure he could put one together (I know even I can!).

[Phage]

That £400 DinoPC has a sub-par MB - Asus M4N68T-M.

Quick search looks like the GPU is going to be a GTS250 1GB at that price point and a low end CPU; doesn't sem like much for the money

I was looking more at the £589 model with the 955 and a 5770 as an example. I'm sure Scan (or others) could do something similar

[Skulltrail]

If he would be willing to sacrifice 100% new components for better performance:

http://forums.hexus.net/classifieds-...-5770-1tb.html

£500 if collected.