You have this case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119115 , and this DVD drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136144&Tpk=gh22np20 .

 

You have $400-500 to spend, and you must get Windows 7 (Not home basic).

 

This is for my uncle, who went to me for advice on what to get. I'm pretty sure he doesn't game (:razz:), but I'd like you to max out the specs anyway. My dad's family is pretty technical, another of my uncles worked with one of those punch card programmed computers in the '70s and at one point knew assembler, and my dad is an engineer and programmer, so even if he's just under sixty I'm sure he can figure it out.

 

Build away :-)

On that budget you ain't gonna get much good.

 

I mean the two items you already have are $65 and they are some of the cheaper parts.

You're talking $100 for windows 7

Probably looking at around $100 for a processor

And a decent motherboard is gonna also be in the $100 region

Oh and is this including periphrals? Cause if it is to get the basics is gonna clock ya around $100 again probably

 

For that kinda budget you're better getting pre-made imo you'll get more for your money.

Custom builds are only really good for high end systems as they cost more.

You already have the case and dvd drive, the $400-500 is on top of that. Should have made that more clear.

 

Also, I believe Nadril and Ultimania made it quite clear that it's possible to build a decent gaming rig for under $500 (It could have been $400 actually).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119115

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136144&Tpk=gh22np20

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103681

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148150

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813153155

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152244

=518

 

Little bit more expensive motherboard, but with better graphics. Since you said your uncle won't be gaming i thought it is pretty useless to throw in graphics card. Obviously you could get a cheaper motherboard and a graphics card. But it will run movies, RS and Wow (on low-med settings i guess) without a problem.

And you could get a better cpu if you want to max the available cash.

 

Oh edit: I thought it was 4-500 for the lot.

Cpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103706

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103809

 

In my opinion, if he ain't gonna do heavy stuff, the Athlon 2 x4 will be perfect.

If you want a graphics card, say... But i guess it won't be needed.

You already have the case and dvd drive, the $400-500 is on top of that. Should have made that more clear.

 

Also, I believe Nadril and Ultimania made it quite clear that it's possible to build a decent gaming rig for under $500 (It could have been $400 actually).

Yeah, we did have a build that could run most games on medium for $300, that's without the OS. Granted most of the parts are deactivated on newegg, so... The same concept applies, really.

You could always keygen Windows7 (that's what I did for my W7).

But that's illegal, you shouldn't do it.

You can easily build a computer for that much.

 

Case & [bleep]drive already bought.

 

HDD - $59.99

Processor - 74.99 199.97

Mobo&PS Combo - 69.99 (Comes with $20 Mail in rebate, essentially giving you a free power supply)

RAM - $97.98 Buy 2 of these

Windows 7 OEM - $ 104.99

 

Total - A shockingly low $401.94

Optional Graphics card - $ 49.99 - Geforce 9400GT. For $50 It will allow him to play games and watch HD video. Id recommend getting it, as integrated graphics can cut into your computers performance.

 

Only thing to note is that the Win7 copy is OEM and for some reason if you change your motherboard or something else, you may need to reactivate the OS. All you have to do is call Microsoft and tell them that the hardware you replaced failed, and they will give you a new code. This likely wont affect you, but Iv'e heard of it happening.

No reason to get DDR2 when DDR3 is better and cheaper.

And if he doesn't do other than office work and an occasional movie, he won't notice the litte loss with a integrated gpu.

Yeah I actually don't know him that well so I don't know what he plans to use it for. Knowing my family, however, he is probably buying it for the fun of building it.

 

Thanks to everyone who replied, I went with Oldjoe's build.