$500 budget build

[DonC23]

I am trying to build a pc for my nephew ($500 total budget) and am not sure its possible to meet my goals. They (and I) have no reusable parts to contribute to the build.

Approximate Purchase Date:ASAP...black friday through cyber monday?
Budget Range:$500 US
System Usage from Most to Least Importantrimarily schoolwork, surfing the i-net, he plays counterstrike souce on steam at a friends house
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Tiger Direct, NewEgg
Parts Not Required: need os, keyboard, mouse, monitor
Parts Preferences: I'm assuming AMD, hopefully at least dual core, prefer Gigabyte mobo (because past experiences) but realize that budget is ridiculous
Overclocking: maybe
SLI or Crossfire:lol at this price but hope to have ability to add a discrete video card?
Monitor Resolution: monitor needs to be part of system so I'm guessing no more than 1600 x 900 will be possible.
considering LG E2050T-SN Glossy Black 20" 5ms LED Backlight LCD monitor Slim Design 250 cd/m2 DC 5,000,000:1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005148&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-24-005-148-_-Homepage
or Hanns·G HZ194APB Black 18.5" 1366 x 768 5ms Tilt Adjustable WideScreen LCD Monitor w/Speakers 250cd/m2 10,000:1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254054
OS: needed....see further questions below
Additional Comments: before I shop I have a couple questions
I haven't built a new pc in a couple years and haven't tried windows 7 yet....is windows 7 the way to go? 32bit or 64 bit?
Is integrated graphics on 785G- 880G chipset onboard graphics able to handle this? Including Counterstrike source at these resolutions? Possible hybrid graphics?

Sorry, I know you guys hate everything about this system before its built, but it is what it is, I gotta try and get this kid through highschool hopefully with a little recreation ability to boot
Thankyou for any and all suggestions

 

[huron]

It's not too difficult, but that does put it on a tight budget, especially when you are needing the OS and monitor.

If someone else need Win7, you could get the family pack for $150 (I've seen it for $119 on sale) for 3 copies...then you could split the cost.

If not, you're looking at $100 or so for the OS alone.

You'll probably be dropping another $100 on the monitor.

That leaves you $300 to play with, and that's a relatively tight budget for a system.

I'd check out the 785g or 880g for now and add a graphics card later for a gift, etc. I'd check into the x3 models by AMD or and X4 if you can spare the extra few dollars. If you live near a microcenter, they run a great deal that buying a 785g and an x4 will set you back only $100 or $110 if you get a nicer board.

I'd get 4GB of RAM, which will likely set you back $60 or so. You'll need a optical drive - $17, a HDD - $40 - $50, a case - $50 or less, and a PSU - $40 or so. I think that puts you close...we can look for deals for most of these items, but that should get you a start.

 

[DonC23]

Thanks......I am beginning the shopping and will post what I can find soon
Do you think that onboard graphics will render games at that low of resolution? or possibly a hybrid option or is a dedicated graphics card an absolute must?
I do realize I am asking alot for not alot.
Is windows 7 pro neccessary or is home premium fine?

Here is what I'm looking at so far:
mobo/cpu combo, http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.547238

case and power combo, http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.558481

os + memory combo, http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.549357.20-144-384

hard drive, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

optical, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

total with shipping/tax 448.23

at this point I need a cpu cooler pretty cheap and I'm not sure on the memory. I'm hoping to find a cheap monitor on black friday or cyber monday

any thoughts.....btw I know this is really cheap case, so I think no overclocking for now?

 

[batuchka]

$505AR

 

[DonC23]

Thanks for the ideas. I made a few changes from your suggestions and ended up with complete tower and 19" monitor for $580 shipped to my door and $45 mir (so I'm calling it $535 build) . I'll pick up a keyboard and mouse locally this weekend and be done with the project

 

[huron]

Congrats on the purchase. Enjoy the build.