Need help deciding on a computer!

Heya, I've actually been a SL member for quiet some time, but I haven't been on in forever becuase my current computer just won't cut it. I'm on a low budget and need help picking out a better computer. I've had a friend help me search abit and am seeking some more expert advise now. Below I am I going to list a few computers we looked up and would like help picking out the one that will run SL the very best. Any help on this matter will be very much appreciated!

The computers are as followed:

Dell AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core 5000+
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT-DDR3
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Windows VISTA OS

(optional 2 gigs of ram and a 128 mb graphics card, or 1 gig of RAM and 256 mb grahpics card, which is better?)

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Dell Intel Pentium dual core processor E2140 (1MB L2, 1.60GHz, 800 FSB)
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz-2DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA-Hard Drive (7200rpm) w/DataBurst Cache
128MB Nvidia GeForce 8300GS
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Windows XP

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Dell Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E4600 (2MB L2 Cache, 2.2GHz, 800 FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic - English
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
256MB ATI RADEON HD 2400 PRO
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio

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Also, if anyone happens to know of any other computers that are at MAXIMUM 550$ and under including shipping (as that's all I can afford) that are better than the ones I just listed, please let me know!! Thank you for all the help!!

Take this choice in my opinion. And go for the 8600GT with 256 onboard. You will lag a bit with only I gig of RAM and Vista but if you turn off most of Vista's bells and whistles (Aero) you should not have a bunch of problems. You can always upgrade your ram later. Only problem I see is the AMD processor. I'm an Intel type so milage will vary greatly there. Oh, don't go for Vista 64 even if the processor is capable of it.

I second that motion.

Only bother with 64 bit Windows (a) if you're running more than 3G of ram, and (b) are willing to wrestle with drivers a bit.

Generally, it's not worth the hassle, just stick with 2G ram and a 32bit OS. Dell may give you the option to "downgrade" to WinXP instead of Vista.

And get the 256M, not the 128M video card. If at all possible get both the 256M card and the 2G of ram. If you're squeaking for cash, though, get the better video card, and put off the second G of ram.

nothing wrong with the cpu, its a 2.6ghz dual core vs a 1.6ghz and a 2.2 ghz (that happen to be intels)

if i had a gripe about these machines its the speed of the ram, 667? one step up from bottom speed, if i were building a beige box id get 800 mhz or 1066 (2 gb of dual channel 800mhz is less than 90$) may not seem like a big of a deal but it is a very noticeable difference

My friend says the AMD was at 2.2ghz I believe.

(scratch that, it is 2.6, sorries)

My experience with AMD is a few years ago..........it's heat. Said, "never again". So, I'm where I'm at for that reason alone.

Get a 15 dollar case fan from Office Depot and you will probably be just fine.

I discovered that my core2duo 3.0GHz isnt much better than my old Athlon XP was heat-wise - idles around 35c.

Admittedly, I'm using a couple of variable speed fans so it's only noisy when it needs to be -- if the fans were full-on, I'd probably idle lower.

yea they can run alittle hotter, but its not usually a big deal unless you had a funky mobo or something, like i got a CHEAP pos socket AM2 board with a crap power regulator and that ran the chip at like 69 degrees (c)

but

ive got amd athlon MP's (which are 55 degree heaters) that hasnt been shut off in years with just passive (no fan), small heat sinks

and my modern amd desktops run just barley hotter (+- 1 or 2) than my modern intels

anything under 40 your probably not even gonna feel warmth

Friskles........go for the AMD. I had a CPU burn up on me and it was AMD but it could have happened with Intel too. Just keep in mind the heat generated by computer processors and graphics cards. Too many fans is not possible (in my opinion). And AMD's will knock off a substanial dollar amount............and that is very good.

BTW, 8300GS is a sub-optimal entry-level card and I don't think the ATI 2400 is much better. They're fine for gramma checking her email, but that's about it.

Well, thanks for all the help everyone. I've got another even better computer in an ebay auction right now for about the same price, but if I lose I know which computer I'm gonna go with. I wish computers didn't cost so dang much! x-x; Bustin' my wallet hard! >.<

Yah, they do that. Then promptly go obsolete in 3 months >_<