Well, that's what "povo" means... "poverty".
The $322 PovoMac Updated for Spring 2013 (For US forum members short on cache) About $270 w/ your old mATX / ATX case and PSU.
This is my version of the $295 PovoMac that will give the most BFYB. As of Spring 2013, for only 27 dollars more you'll get a very fast, quiet Customac. You could go with a 64GB SSD and save 30 dollars but the extra space will be needed eventually.
I used pcpartpicker to search for the lowest prices. I also frequently check Techbargains for great deals too.
I've found the GT610 very easy to get working (1GB version is fine). The only extra step*** to full functioning is to modify the GT610 Nvidia kext. see here for more about that:
http://www.tonymacx86.com/graphics/64658-nvidia-gt610-10-8-fix.html
***
5-26-13 UPDATE: This step is no longer necessary for Mountain Lion. With 10.8.3 the GT610 works OOB with GraphicsEnabler=No boot flag.
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B75M-HD3 $63 at Amazon Fully compatible with ML, UEFI bios, compatible Audio and Lan chips.
Has HDMI and DVI outputs
CPU: Intel Celeron G1610 $47.00 at Amazon This is Ivy Bridge and the integrated graphics work to a degree but you'll still need a gfx card. This is not your "fathers" Celeron, these are really good. (Can also get it 12 dollars cheaper at Microcenter, in store only.)
Graphics: Asus GT610 silent $44.00 at Amazon. Great card, use it myself with no issues with ML 10.8.2
Storage: Samsung 120 GB SSD $93.00 at Amazon An SSD will really speed this PovoMac up to 520MB/S reads.
Here's the exact current prices of the 1st 4 items at Amazon
Amazon.com Povomac core components.
If you have a Microcenter close by I highly recommend the
I3-3225 in combo with the above mentioned motherboard and SSD. Then no graphics card is necessary, you've got the excellent HD4000 graphics built in.
All three components together only cost $245 Amazing deal even Amazon can't beat.
Ram: 1x4gb 1333 Mhz Kingston value ram $25.00 - You can add another 4GB stick later on.
http://www.macmall.com/p/5685759?dpno=7878807&source=zwb12166
PSU: Corsair CX430 $20.00 AR at Newegg Very reliable PSU. I've bought lots of them.
Case $30 Choose the best case you can get for under 30 dollars, watch for sales and rebates
Newegg is great for deals on PC cases. Better yet reuse an old one and save 30 dollars.
So there you have it for $322.00 US a very fast, quiet and capable Customac. Everything from
Amazon.com qualifies for free shipping. Newegg is usually free too.
Good luck on your build and remember to buy Mountain Lion from the App Store
Enjoying the new Customac you just built yourself.....Priceless