So, building a computer for a friend's parents. Budget right around $600 (must include OS and monitor). Going to be a general use computer, no gaming. Work your magic!
The mobo has onboard, and it's not half bad. Then 4gb of ram can be swapped out for 2gb if you think it's better, but that RAM has a really nice MIR on it, so I figured it would be worth it. The monitor has a higher resoultion than other ones the same cost. Even though it only has a digital output, the mobo has a DVI input, so you're golden. Mouse and keyboard combo is an obvious good deal. 500w PSU in case you ever need to throw something else in there. It will handle everything just fine.
EDIT: I'm sure someone will come along and recommend an intel build, but this is pretty cheap for what you're getting.
Good catch on the PSU and RAM. I just liked the 4gb I got cause it was 27 bucks, which was plenty cheap. ;P
The reason I didn't mention the 5400 is because it's 9 dollars more, not 5. And yeah, it's a black edition, but it's also for someone's parents. No one is going to be overclocking. A few bucks saved is a few bucks saved.
Also, I picked 64-bit not only because of the RAM, but it's the same cost, so even if they got the 2gb, if they wanted to upgrade later, they wouldn't have to buy another OS.
The serials are interchangable they wouldn't have to buy a new OS key anyway just get a disc which is easily found or contact windows and pay them £5+P&P to get one direct.
You could overclock it a bit and they would never know upto 2.8ghz should be nice and stable and work well with a mini-itx case where heat sinks can be an issue
Yes the case can be tiny example of a nano-itx case which isn't the smallest mind
I would say that a mini-itx board would be best in this situation as it is less restrictive, as you get smaller you lose functionality. It can be a little more expensive but I think its worth it as its so micro its amazing how powerful they can be you can make one with a Q9450 (quad core processor that gets to 3.8ghz) if you wanted. a motherboard like this would be good and would work with the already suggested cpu's KustomPCs.co.uk - Jetway JNC62K ITX AM2+ Motherboard
Psu and case would need changing but everything else would work with it.
You could overclock it a bit, but there would really be no point, since it's going to be fast enough anyway. I know my parents, and they think their dell is fast even though it's kinda freakishly slow. I think it has a P4 in it, I don't remember.
My mum is click happy if it isn't instantly there she will carry on clicking until it opens up 30 of the same program its amazing her skills at screwing up a pc and slowing it right down. P4's are fast little blighters just run hot and you need to do quite a bit of OS maintenance to get the most out of them.
Google it yourself newegg only sells 775skt ones I gave you an example board to find. You can use mini-itx.com but there prices are a little high imo but a good starting point. All you would need to change from the original plan is motherboard, psu and case. For the psu a 120w laptop style one would be fine you will see what I mean when you get researching.