A question about what I should buy

[ZANDER]

Ok, I am looking for a desktop. It needs to be very cheap, like under $500. However it doesn't need to be very nice. It probobly won't be online very much, just for typing papers and reports. Also I will need to have a DVD reader for some education games for my little girl. SO 80 gig HD is all I need. 512 RAM will be plenty. I was thinking about getting a customised Compaq, it will be about $610 and that is to much. I am open to anything, so thanks for the help.

 

[Jet]

You can get a decent system for $500 if you build it yourself, which isn't that hard:

AMD 3200+ Socket AM2
Biostar Tforce 6100
1GB dual channel Muskin High Performance DDR2 667
160GB Western Digital 16Mb cache/7200RPM/SATA2

Lite-on DVD burner
Rosewill Case + Power supply
Windows XP Professional

Includes better RAM and hard drive than what you suggested. And, if you ever want to overclock with the newfound knowledge you will gain with building this, everything is overclocking friendly!
Total = $477.93 + shipping

 

[4W4K3]

Voila - http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...desktops/hp_pavilion&storeName=computer_store

About half your budget, probly close to $400 if you upgrade a tad.

EDIT: Just configured with 80GB HDD, 512MB RAM, cd-burner, and basic everything else...$299.99. You just need your own speakers and monitor now. Use the extra to get them

EDIT2: Ah, you need a DVD player. Well looking at like $340 now I think. But I digress...

 

[Jet]

Ya, I agree that my system would be a bit overkill, but the upgradeability!