Buy gaming PC for <$800

[Ace No-Money]

Hi, this is Ace! My friend wants to buy a gaming computer this summer for around $800. He won't let me build one for him and wants to buy one instead. I might be able to find a nice barebone system and convince him to buy that, but it is unlikely. Im trying to help him find a good deal somewhere, where he can get peformance and quality. I think Memory and especially the video card should take priority in this computer since he wants to play Half-Life 2 and other games. Therefore it would be wiser to invest in a cheaper athlon XP setup and stock it with 512mb Corsair and maybe a radeon 9700-9800pro? I think it is wiser for him to stick with AMD for their great value but cant find any companies that will let me configure a computer system with an amd processor for around $800. Please, someone tell me of any good companies that will let me configure an Athlon System or buy a good AMD pc and maybe just add a nice video card.
- Thanks!

 

[Megadeth2]

www.cyberpowersystem.com

go here and run the custom configurator for AMD, make sure you select the 939 AMD64 and you'll be able to put more than a 9700/9800Pro in that rig if you have $800 try to get a 6600Gt

 

[The Merlin]

Yeah, you have your friend on the right track, just too bad he won't let you build it