Suggestions for a new Computer

[sandman38]

Hello
I'm hoping that some of you could pass along some advise for building a new Desktop system.

Sorry but I have been out of touch with what's new in the the way of hardware and I need some help.

My nephew has a AMD socket-A system with a AGP video card and he would like to upgrade it. He is really into gaming.
However he has a limited budget of $350 - $400 dollars.

I do have some memory that I can give him and besides cannibalizing the usual stuff from the old system I imagine that it will come down to:

- Processor
- Motherboard ($100-$150) est
- Video Card ($75-$150) est

To start, I have no idea where to begin on selecting a Processor, AND/INTEL???
In the past I have always gone with AMD. The system I'm using now is a AMD x2 6000hrz.
I would like to go with a processor that gives the most bang for the buck with a motherbaord that has room to take a processor upgrade possibly in the future?

Suggestions anyone for a processor?

Thank you all for your help!

 

[flyin15sec]

For a tight budget read over Tom's latest round up of $100 boards: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-p45-core,2110.html
The Asrock perform quite well in their review.

Many folks are also high on these two boards, altho a bit more expensive:
Asus P5Q Pro $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299

Gigabyte UD3P $137
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358

Video card:
HD4830 - many can be found for around $120
9800GT - around same price
If you have a bit more money to play with, HD4850 would be a nice card. Can be found for around $150

CPU: E7300 - $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115132

If you don't plan on overclocking at all, then the only choice would be E8400 $165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

 

[Pico_w]

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115132

Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131347

Memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269

GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102810

Roughly $400 here if you can get the mail-in rebates.

 

[Pico_w]

Make sure your power supply can handle the video cards. DDR2 is so cheap for only $18 after rebate. Don't bother using old rams.

Get this GPU if you don't like the first one I suggested.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770