PC Build Help Needed

I’m looking to pick up a desktop for $650. Just the tower—I don't need a monitor. I've got the funds sitting in my PayPal, so I'm trying to figure out the best place to pull the trigger.
I did a little digging and found a few online retailers that accept PP:
http://www.bestbuy.com
http://www.newegg.com
www.microcenter.com

Are these reliable spots, or should I be looking elsewhere?
What kind of configuration can I actually get for $650?
The PC is a gift for my nephew who’s just starting to dive into web design, so I really need to know what the best specs would be for that $650 limit (I absolutely cannot go over budget).

Thanks

P.S. If I missed any crucial details that would help you recommend the right machine, just ask and I'll get back to you immediately.

You can just transfer the cash directly to your bank account for about $5. Honestly, you're better off doing it that way.

Everything is way too overpriced... I’d honestly rather just transfer my funds from PayPal to my bank account and shop somewhere cheaper. And I'm not even talking about $100-$67, but more like $500+

So, I just came into some cash. To speed things up, I had it sent over via PayPal, but now I’m sitting here wondering how to actually get my hands on it. Do I need to trek down to a local bank branch or what?
I'll be the first to admit I'm no expert when it comes to PP, so if anyone could point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it. 🙂

MagazinRS - PayPal
totaling $1400.

Check with your bank first to see if they even allow transfers like that.

If you just swipe a card linked to your PayPal account (I'm assuming you have one)
the fee should be around $5.

So, you'll need to log into PayPal and hit "withdraw."

Robert Rodriguez2 said:MagazinRS - PayPal
totaling $1400.

Check with your bank first to see if they even allow transfers like that.

I’m no expert here, but I feel like I’m constantly hearing people claim AMD processors just can't compete with Intel. Is there actually any truth to that?

wiredotter14 said:If you just swipe a card linked to your PayPal account (I'm assuming you have one)
the fee should be around $5.

So, you'll need to log into PayPal and hit "withdraw."

I’ve got my Mastercard ready, but it looks like they’re demanding a Visa if I want to actually get my money out!

Jack Reed said:I’m no expert here, but I feel like I’m constantly hearing people claim AMD processors just can't compete with Intel. Is there actually any truth to that?

You won't find anything better at this price point. An i3 is a waste of money, and an i5 is out of reach.

Robert Rodriguez2 said:You won't find anything better at this price point. An i3 is a waste of money, and an i5 is out of reach.

Well, if I'm going to stretch my wallet to the breaking point, is this actually any good? http://www.bestbuy.com/pc-desktop-.../Pro7/product/

Jack Reed said:Well, if I'm going to stretch my wallet to the breaking point, is this actually any good? http://www.bestbuy.com/pc-desktop-.../Pro7/product/

Standard rule: we don't recommend pre-built rigs. It's like buying a mystery box. You have no clue what motherboard, power supply, or RAM you're actually getting. Too many unknowns.

Starting a new thread here since I finally sorted out my budget.
I’m looking to pick up a desktop tower—no monitor needed—for around $600. I might be able to stretch a little bit if it makes sense, but nothing crazy. 😁😁

The PC is a gift for a kid who’s starting out in web design. I don't know the technical specifics of what that entails, but they won't be gaming; it's all about design work and whatever else falls under that umbrella.
I plan on buying the machine in person at a shop in San Francisco using cash.

I’d really appreciate some help picking out a reliable local shop and a solid hardware setup. I want to make sure I don't end up buying a lemon or something that’s going to fail them in six months.

I see how much you guys help others and how satisfied everyone seems, so I'm hoping you can point me in the right direction too.

Thanks!

P.S. I was typing in a rush and messed up the title with "monfiguracija"😁 — I meant configuration.

Jack Reed said:Starting a new thread here since I finally sorted out my budget.
I’m looking to pick up a desktop tower—no monitor needed—for around $600. I might be able to stretch a little bit if it makes sense, but nothing crazy. 😁😁

The PC is a gift for a kid who’s starting out in web design. I don't know the technical specifics of what that entails, but they won't be gaming; it's all about design work and whatever else falls under that umbrella.
I plan on buying the machine in person at a shop in San Francisco using cash.

I’d really appreciate some help picking out a reliable local shop and a solid hardware setup. I want to make sure I don't end up buying a lemon or something that’s going to fail them in six months.

I see how much you guys help others and how satisfied everyone seems, so I'm hoping you can point me in the right direction too.

Thanks!

P.S. I was typing in a rush and messed up the title with "monfiguracija"😁 — I meant configuration.

Don't feel tied to buying in San Francisco. Just order from a solid online retailer in a major city like Chicago or NYC; they usually offer free assembly and home delivery if you spend over $667, and you can just pay the driver when it arrives.

If it isn't an Uber-level emergency, I'd wait a few days for more deals to pop up on the GTX 1050 or other budget models. 😁

Robert Rodriguez2 said:Don't feel tied to buying in San Francisco. Just order from a solid online retailer in a major city like Chicago or NYC; they usually offer free assembly and home delivery if you spend over $667, and you can just pay the driver when it arrives.

If it isn't an Uber-level emergency, I'd wait a few days for more deals to pop up on the GTX 1050 or other budget models. 😁

Can you give me some names? Which online shops are actually reliable?

Jack Reed said:Can you give me some names? Which online shops are actually reliable?

Newegg, ADM, Future, Center—those are our go-to's. Prices are way better than hitting up a local Best Buy.

Robert Rodriguez2 said:Newegg, ADM, Future, Center—those are our go-to's. Prices are way better than hitting up a local Best Buy.

Oh, great, thanks for the help. Could you recommend a specific configuration? I'm looking to buy something for my kid to use for web design, so any advice would be huge. I'll probably just grab it from Newegg!

Thanks

Jack Reed said:Oh, great, thanks for the help. Could you recommend a specific configuration? I'm looking to buy something for my kid to use for web design, so any advice would be huge. I'll probably just grab it from Newegg!

Thanks

Just grab the setup I already laid out for you above. If you pay cash, it's a flat $1333.

Robert Rodriguez2 said:Just grab the setup I already laid out for you above. If you pay cash, it's a flat $1333.

Just a total noob question here: if I decide down the road that I want to swap out the processor, the hard drive, or something else entirely, is that actually doable?

Jack Reed said:Just a total noob question here: if I decide down the road that I want to swap out the processor, the hard drive, or something else entirely, is that actually doable?

Yeah. For the CPU, you're mostly stuck with used parts since AMD is dropping a new platform this spring. Everything else is easy to swap.

It's the same deal with Intel, though they usually charge more than AMD.

Robert Rodriguez2 said:Yeah. For the CPU, you're mostly stuck with used parts since AMD is dropping a new platform this spring. Everything else is easy to swap.

It's the same deal with Intel, though they usually charge more than AMD.

So, if I eventually come into some extra cash, can't I just drop an i3 or an i5 onto this motherboard?
Forgive me if I'm asking a rookie question here, but I'm still trying to wrap my head around how all this works.