Need advice on a system

[maxg]

I want to get my son a fast/ gaming computer but would like to build my self. It has been some time since I have built a computer and I have no clue what's a fast cpu or MoBo or anything .
Also there are budget constraints ie £500 for the box with £200 or less for a flat screen. He is young enough not to need mega gaming speed but it would be nice to have a comp that would last for a few years of gaming.

[staffsMike]

Tricky budget.

If you go for a 19" widescreen you can take about £70 out of the monitor budget.

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC2-6400C4 Dual Channel Platinum Revision 2 XTC Series DDR2 (OCZ2P800R22GK)
add a SATA dvd writer
leaves about £35 for a suitable case

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
for the monitor (or something similar, plenty around)

There's lots of ways of doing it though.

You could get a cheap pentium dual core for around £50 and then overclock up to around 3.0ghz if you want to overclock. That would give you the budget back for a decent 22" screen.

[Pob255]

As Mikestaff said
although swap the ArcticCooling freezer 7 pro for a Akasa AK-965 saves about £3
Basic sata DVDr/w is about £17

Akasa Zen Case £29
Still need to add a keyboard and mouse

19" tft £130ish put the extra into the pc

[maxg]

Thanks for the fantastic reply's
I might well go for the OC system and spend more on the screen

[staffsMike]

It isn't a big risk to do so but there will always be a risk.

The E21X0's are known to hit 2.8ghz with ease and upwards of 3.0GHz in a lot of cases. It wil certainly give you enough juice for current games. It's also cheap enough so that if you want to upgrad later you don't feel you've wasted too much money

Might be worth looking at the new graphics card for ATi as well as it it cheaper than the 8800GT and performs very simalarly
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

[maxg]

Fantastic.
Thanks for the advice, the system is great. He built it in a few hours, and loves it.
Happy new year.

[silentvoice]

What did you go for in the end - spec wise?

I thought there were issues with the ACF7 and the IP35-E due to the tall heatsink on the northbridge.

Anyway, I glad he's enjoying it. He'll need some new games now lol...

[maxg]

No it all went very smoothly.
As I got the IP35 not E so no heat sink, but works well. I went for the ati card otherwise as all the suggestions.
Thanks again

[rockaway]

I want to get my son a fast/ gaming computer but would like to build my self. It has been some time since I have built a computer and I have no clue what's a fast cpu or MoBo or anything .
Also there are budget constraints ie £500 for the box with £200 or less for a flat screen. He is young enough not to need mega gaming speed but it would be nice to have a comp that would last for a few years of gaming.

Well I could have helped you better if you had even put in a brief description regarding the configurations.The best Idea I would suggest is that you conduct an Image search in Google and then re-direct to the original source.You could also visit amazon or e-bay and see what you have to find for yourself.They have the best online deals at all rates and in good quantity thereby providing you with a greater option.

[pauldarkside]

Well I could have helped you better if you had even put in a brief description regarding the configurations.The best Idea I would suggest is that you conduct an Image search in Google and then re-direct to the original source.You could also visit amazon or e-bay and see what you have to find for yourself.They have the best online deals at all rates and in good quantity thereby providing you with a greater option.

Um, check the post before yours - think you'll find he's already sorted the stuff out

[Pob255]

But did he go with the Arctic cooling freezer 7 pro or the Akasa AK-965 ?
and the e6750 or an e21x0 ?
and if the e21x0 which one?
and the 8800gt or HD3870?
and what case?

Oooo soo many unanswered question