Windows 7: $400 Desktop Build for Music Studio

My step-dad has asked me to put together a components list for him to get, to build a Desktop for his music studio. His budget is only $400 US Dollars. He wants at least a Quad Core Processor (for some reason he prefers AMD), SSD, and preferably ASUS components. He has a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and DVD Drives, to use for the build, so we won't need to purchase those things. Also, won't need to factor in a copy of Windows into the build price, b/c the way he is talking he wants to run a Linux distro on it. Any help putting together a parts list would be greatly appreciated. Obviously it doesn't need to be high end components, just good quality components.

Thanks a bunch in advance,
Corey

You might start here:

Newegg.com - DIY PC Combos, Full Solutions

I'm not sure why Newegg calls them "full solutions". Some of the combos lack onboard graphics. I don't see any hard drives or optical drives.

You can add a respectable DVD burner for less than $20US, and 500GB 7200 RPM hard drives start at around $60.

It sound like what you wish to do is practical, if you avoid paying the Windows tax. (Approx. $100 for a System Builder copy of Win 7 Home Premium.) You may not find a low-end bundle with an Asus motherboard, but the combo discounts aren't such that you'd pay a large penalty by buying the components individually.