Ok to start can we try and keep all questions about building someone a rig in here.

The reason why I am starting this is that over the next 5-10 weeks I am looking to build a PC and I was wondering about peoples opinions on it.

My budget is ￡550 maximum, I can't go over it at all (I am using my overdraft to pay for it ). I want it to do the following things:

Run Crysis 2 well (i.e. average FPS of 50 on low as a minimum)
Run Football Manager 2011 quickly (for those who don't know it's a simulation game)
Possibly multi screen as well
If possible I would like to run a RAID 0 setup, it doesn't have to be 2 fast drives or anything.

So if anyone has any suggestions then shoot

Flamers

RAID 0 is basically pointless on a desktop. Get a small SSD for a boot drive and a cheap SATA drive for storage. A GTX460 is a good balance of price/performance and something like an i5 for processing. I think a multiscreen setup for ￡550 maybe pushing it but you could always add another screen later. 4GB DDR3 should be plenty for the next year or so. A decent 500 - 600w PSU from the likes of Coolermaster or Corsair.

I don't need the screen btw

The reason for RAID is that I map and create various stuff for games so I need a large fairly quick access hard drive. It's either RAID or a bigger single drive...

Flamers

RAID 0 = more chances of data loss.

go for single and a ssd if you can

if he's in a budget,i5 are expensive,i would get and amd PII x4 with a 460,550 or 560 and a nvidia chipset mobo that has at least 2 16x pci slots (even if he doesnt run sli right now,he might in the future)

just dont get corsair's CX series of psus,they will die in they go anywere near they rated wattage and they are rated for 30co for constant wattage output

ps: multiscreen? 3 monitors?,if so,you need to sli a couple of nvidia cards or get an amd eyefinity ready gpu

He's going to need more the 600 watts of power.

Check out some of the Asus intel boards. They've the fastest bus speeds right now iirc.

Whats your opinion on this?

http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/4203/37929410.png

With a bigger PSU, 650w+

I use this site now exclusively best price listing and all builds are designed with cross compatible components. there is a link at the top to more highend systems and such. Great site and was used by me to build a very nice PC that should last me 4-5 years of gaming before it starts to fall behind.
http://www.hardware-revolution.com/budget-gaming-pc-q4-2010/
Also worth noting the site is updated VERY frequently. at least twice during the month of febuary and once sof ar this month.

EDIT: cuase i'ma dope and forgot the link
/facepalm of shame