Suggestions for $500 (or less) build ^no gaming

Yup, you'll have to go with an AMD build on this one. It's gonna be hard to beat $500, but you should go with

Athlon 5200 X2 $66
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

BIOSTAR MCP6P-M2 $49.99 + 8.25 shipping - $15 combo savings
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

LITE-ON DVD burner retail $25.99 + 8.25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

WD 250GB SATA $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...


RAIDMAX xA Combo Pack ATX-568WBP $39.99 + 19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

XP Pro $139.99
http://www1.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16...

And that will give you a total so far of $423.43 with shipping. Start from here and upgrade the parts as you feel necessary. Of course if you already have a copy of windows you are going to be able to upgrade to much better parts since right now that's the most expensive part of the system.

Sample AMD build.

CPU - AMD Athlon64x2 6000+ $92 it's a combo deal with the motherboard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Motherboard - Biostar TA 790GX with 750SB and integrated graphics. $100 -$20 with combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Case - Rosewill R226 $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Power supply - Antec earthwatts 500w $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
RAM 2x1 GB DDR2 1066 OCZ $21 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
HD - Western Digital 640GB SATA - $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
DVD - Liteon Combo drive SATA OEM- $23
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Operating system Vista Home Premium 64- $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

$495 before shipping and $30 in a rebate.

Used a 500w power supply in case you want to add a graphic card in the future, you could save $20 for a eathwatts 380w if you'll never add a graphic card. Motherboard was picked for it's excellent on board video and it's upgradability. Can take the most recent quad core AMD CPU if you ever want to upgrade it.

I do have a copy of Vista Ultimate 32bit, but even if I didn't can't I get Vista for around $100.

I like your build.

I am thinking of going with the WD6400AKS for an extra $30, seems like $ well spent. Also, would like to go for ram that is 2x2gb, i know it will only recognize 3 (for now).

I can just go get an ACER with Vista, keyboard 320gb, 2 g ram, and 2 YEAR WARRANTY with 19inch LCD from Costco only $499????

Thoughts?

I do have a copy of Vista Ultimate 32bit, but even if I didn't can't I get Vista for around $100.

I like your build.

I am thinking of going with the WD6400AKS for an extra $30, seems like $ well spent. Also, would like to go for ram that is 2x2gb, i know it will only recognize 3 (for now).

I can just go get an ACER with Vista, keyboard 320gb, 2 g ram, and 2 YEAR WARRANTY with 19inch LCD from Costco only $499????

Thoughts?

This monitor 19" at $130 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
this reconditioned computer.
HP M7757C $280
http://www.recoupit.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/vpid/56...
save $90

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$22 (Cheap ATX Rosewill case)
MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$45 (ECS AM2+/AM2 nForce 630a)
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$59 (AMD 4450e dual core)
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$30 (Wintec AMPX DDR2 800, 2x1GB)
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$30 (Antec Basiq 500W, OEM)
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$55 (250GB WD HDD)
DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$26 (Lite-On 20x DVDR/RW retail)
Vid (optional): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$50 (eVGA GF 8500GT)

Total: $267 + S&H (not counting the vid card)

Or: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$400 + S&H (Compaq Presario SR5610F)(FK586AA)

I like dirtmountain's build; very similar to the parts I'd choose if I weren't heading out the door for work.