I'm not going to get into the 'replace your OS and still use your old PC' argument. You said you wanted to play SCII, let's work on that.
Okay, here's what you need for SCII:
•Windows Vista®/Windows® 7
•Dual Core 2.4Ghz Processor
•2 GB RAM
•512 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800 GTX or ATI Radeon® HD 3870 or better
•12 GB available HD space
•DVD-ROM drive
•Broadband Internet connection
•1024X720 minimum display resolution
If we assume you have a monitor(can we?), we can just worry about the box. The discrete video card is important, as Intel GMAs will not handle the game. Also, you'll want 4GB of RAM. 2GB might be enough for XP, not for Vista and definitely not 7.
Checking out Dell, Newegg, and NCIX US, I don't think you're going to manage $500 easily - the problem is the discrete video card, which just by virtue of it being there causes a cascade of minor upgrades in the system specs that raises the price to $750-800.
Personally, I think your best bet is to watch for online/local sales, especially Black Friday deals.
Okay, here's what you need for SCII:
•Windows Vista®/Windows® 7
•Dual Core 2.4Ghz Processor
•2 GB RAM
•512 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800 GTX or ATI Radeon® HD 3870 or better
•12 GB available HD space
•DVD-ROM drive
•Broadband Internet connection
•1024X720 minimum display resolution
If we assume you have a monitor(can we?), we can just worry about the box. The discrete video card is important, as Intel GMAs will not handle the game. Also, you'll want 4GB of RAM. 2GB might be enough for XP, not for Vista and definitely not 7.
Checking out Dell, Newegg, and NCIX US, I don't think you're going to manage $500 easily - the problem is the discrete video card, which just by virtue of it being there causes a cascade of minor upgrades in the system specs that raises the price to $750-800.
Personally, I think your best bet is to watch for online/local sales, especially Black Friday deals.