Cheap but half-way decent PC build

So, my friend is looking to build a new build. His budget is quite limited, only about $400-500, and he wants to build a system that will run games like TF2/ L4D moderately well (~constant 30-40 fps at mid-low settings), so that he can upgrade at a later date if he gets more cash. He's from Europe, so newegg is out (unless it's showing parts that can be bought from other European sites). I'm useless with suggestions for parts, so any help you could give would be appreciated Also, if it's cheaper, are there any OK pre-built models?

You can get a powerful computer for much cheaper than a less powerful pre-built if you assemble the parts yourself.  I managed to assemble a middling-powerful computer on a budget of $500, that can run TF2 on high settings with fps to spare (I'm not even OCing).  Of course, I didn't buy a monitor (a much nicer one was gifted to me later), and I already had all the peripherals, so I didn't spend as much as I would have building a whole new setup.  One of the major advantages of building your own is that it is much easier to upgrade and OC than a prebuilt, and of course you learn quite a few things about computer architecture and how to install upgrade parts as well.

I'd think that for that price you'd want to be able to overclock just about everything. Compatibility is also an issue. :S

You should probably specify if its 400-500$ or pounds

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owned.

Ill cook up a build for you from some sites.

That comes out to be about 562 dollars. No KB, MOUSE or Monitor. Website is misco.co.uk. You might be able to get a cheaper Vid card and maybr do without the 2nd stick of memory.

I never understood why people without a lot of money are willing to spend it all on toys.  If he has a very limited budget and is strapped for cash, tell him to save it.  Games obviously shouldn't be his main priority.

Maybe that's all he feels comfortable spending. I'm like that, too. I don't necessarily like Spending it all on toys. I got other things I would ike to spend my money on and if i can get a good machine that serves me purpose at a price range i'm comfortable with then I'm more then ok with not having the best machine for the money.

I'll go out on a limb and say that's all the money he has right now.