$500 multi-purpose pc build

[Vasai]

As the title states I am trying to put together a multi-purpose build for my parents. My mother will be using it primarily for tracking her home business and web browsing and my step-father will be doing very light gaming. I've built my own so I have experience but the problem is I only have a $500 budget and I need to get a monitor and OS. I am hoping to purchase within the next month or so, these are the components I have so far.

CPU: Intel Pentium G620- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116399 -$69.99

Motherboard: ASRock Z68 PRO3-M- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157252 -$109.99
*Note: I realize the G620 does not have Quick Sync, nor can it be overclocked, so I was unsure of the chipset. H61/67 seemed lacking in features and MicroATX P67 boards were much more expensive.*

GPU: XFX Radeon 6670- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150576 -$79.99 ($64.99 w/rebate)

PSU: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 400W- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703034 -$69.99 ($49.99 w/rebate)
*Note: I am not too familiar with this brand but I believe Seasonic actually makes the unit and I have heard they are reputable. I chose this one despite the price because it is from a good manufacturer as well as modular and I thought that would be important in a smaller case.*

RAM: G. Skill 4GB- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396 -$22.99

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769 -$84.99

Optical Drive: Samsung 22X DVD Burner- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244 -$15.99

Monitor: Acer 20"- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009256 -$99.99

OS: Windows 7- $99.99

*Note: The HDD and PSU are in a combo for $13 off, the CPU and DVD burner for $7 off, and the Mobo and OS for $12 off. This brings my total (including shipping) to $625.65.

That's what I've got so far. I am willing to compromise since this obviously goes over my budget and I don't even have a case yet, but I'm not sure where to cut or if I even should. I don't have much experience with cases but they would like something on the small side like a MicroATX desktop or similar, any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Proximon]

Newegg had a special on the Antec Neo Eco 400W today. If you can get that DO IT NOW.

Otherwise I don't have too much for you. Pretty hard right now to come under $500.

Maybe look at an AMD APU instead? They are pretty good at light gaming.

 

[Vasai]

Wow, that sucks I totally missed that deal.

I tossed around the idea of maybe an A8-3850, but based on that recent article for $140 gaming I thought the 1155 socket would provide more longevity with similar performance compared to the APUs. I think I might just have to wait a few months for prices to (hopefully) come down a bit. Do you have any recommendations for a case?

 

[FinneousPJ]

I'm having a hard time believing the Z68 offers any value to your parents. I built my little brother a H61 system and he couldn't be happier.

 

[badjad05]

You dont that great of a MOBO, I suggest something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157246

 

[Pezcore27]

I have a pretty good budget build for ya including the monitor you have selected that should work just fine for your needs, for not too much over budget after rebates are factored in.

Rosewill RANGER-M Dual Fans MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case - 39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147122

CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 + Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 7200 Hard Drive Combo - 129.98 (20.00 MIR on PSU)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.855547

Intel Pentium G620 Desktop Processor + LG DVD Burner - 79.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.846167

ASRock H61M/U3S3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - 69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236

G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory - 22.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396

SAPPHIRE 100324L Radeon HD 6570 2GB DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - 59.99 (10.00 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102942

Acer S201HLbd Black 20" 5ms LED-Backlight LCD monitor - 99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009256

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit - 68.99
http://www.softwaresupplygroup.com/microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-64-bit-oem-branded.html

TOTAL: $579.92 - 30.00 MIR = 549.92 (shipping using my zipcode included, might be a touch higher depending on your location)

This uses probably one of my favorite mATX cases out right now that provides great airflow and isn't completely hideous. The graphics will more than suffice for what you are wanting it to do. Motherboard has SATA 6.0 and USB 3.0 for future availability and higher speeds, and since you arent wanting to overclock or will be using a SSD, the features on a Z68 board are a little overkill.

 

[Proximon]

That's true enough. If you are looking forward and thinking about upgrades.

This is a nice mATX case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119193

Edit: Pezcore has a good solution there.

 

[badjad05]

I wouldn't get a micro atx board or case. you will regret it later on

 

[Pezcore27]

Our home office PC is a mATX case and board. Since it is a light use computer very similar to what the op is looking for it fits perfectly for what we need. Anything else, I go downstairs and use my main rig.

 

[badjad05]

Alright np then. I still would recommend the previous MOBO and this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103035

 

[Pezcore27]

since the OP suggested that he would want a mATX desktop, I wouldnt...

 

[Vasai]

Thanks guys, I agree the Z68 is overkill. I just couldn't find an H61 board with features I liked, but apparently I didn't look hard enough .

I really like your build Pezcore, I saw that case last night and it looked nice for the price. As I stated, my parents aren't really power users and a small mATX case and board like that will work perfectly. I'm going to do some more digging, but I think you've got my final build right there, thanks for all your help!