If you're going for a high end desktop, $600 won't do the job.

I think Canadian prices will be somewhat lower than Dutch prices (we have 19% VAT). My latest machine is definitely more than just 'decent': Athlon64x2 4400+, 4 GB Kingston HyperX RAM, 2x73 GB WD Raptor 10,000 RPM disks, nVidia 7800GTX graphics card. 2200 Euros, including VAT, excluding keyboard/mouse/monitor.

And the 7800GTX is a bit of a mistake. It's not a cheap graphics card, almost top of the line nVidia consumer, but it's OpenGL performance is a little disappointing. I'm seriously considering buying a 3DLabs Wildcat Realizm one of these days. It'll cost over 800 Euros, but it's the best you can get.

If you want a fast machine, go for an Athlon64x2 CPU. The slowest Athlon64 dual core is just a tad slower than the fastest Intel dual core at this time. But they're quite expensive.

If you want fast and good OpenGL, go for a professional graphics card. ATI FireGL, nVidia Quadro, or 3DLabs Wildcat. Expensive, but both reliable and fast.

A NEC Dual layer DVD burner is quite affordable these days - I paid 50 euros for the one in my media center.

Disks: I'd advise going for multiple disks. One or two smaller and very fast disks for operating system and applicantions, and a large disk (250 GB or more) for mass storage.

The most important thing is that you'll want a well balanced machine. Most brand machines come with a high powered CPU, a small disk and not enough memory - most customers still believe that CPU gigahertzes are everything. Your nephew will probably be able to assemble a well balanced high end configuration that'll outperform a brand machine at 75% of the price.

But it won't be cheap. $600 won't do it. $1200 will get you closer, but a high end machine will probably be around $1500-$2000.

The pen is mightier than the sword. But if you literally want to have some impact, use a typewriter

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