HELP-Which PC should I buy??

Hello,
Buying a used PC-hoping you tech guys/girls can help me decide on which one.

1) $700.
Intel Core 2 QUAD CPU @3.2 Ghz
A Data 2GB RAM
BFG nVidia 8800GTX OC Graphics card
GIGABYTE DS3R Motherboard
400GB SATA HDD
Zalman CNPS9700 CPU Cooler
CD/DVD/DL Burner
Thermaltake "Armor Series" ATX Chassis
Windows Vista Ultimate Pre-Installed

2) $500.00
Overclocked dual core e8400 3ghz to 4.2 ghz
2gb of patriot ddr2 in dual channel
latest p45 mobo
8800gts 650/1600/1800 to 788/1890/2100
120 and 320gb hard drive
gaming keyboard, and laser mouse, as well as logitech headphones, with mic, and speakers
Vista Ultimate

Mobo on 2nd pc ($500) is a Gigabyte also

I'd go with the first one just because of the Quad-Core CPU.

It may have only 1 hard drive, but those are cheap to add nowadays.

Same with RAM.

2) is definitely the better deal all around, hands down. Not bad deals on used machines there, even better if they're custom builds and not some overpriced name-brand off-the-rack box.

If you're looking on spending $500-$700, you might also consider taking a look at your local neighborhood computer store and asking them for a quote on a system taylored to your SL needs. If you're not totally stuck on Windows, you can order it without an OS which will save you $75-200 that you can pocket or put towards even better hardware, and put Linux on it. If you go this route, be sure to let 'em know you plan to put Linux on it so they can reccommend hardware that works best with that platform. You might want to take a look at the SL wiki and look for voice-specific issues since not all sound hardware works with SLvoice on Linux yet (they're working on it, but in general SLVoice isn't compatable with most el-cheapo audio chipsets, which are unfortunately, near-ubiquitous).

How do they look? That's the important thing to consider. If it looks ugly don't buy it.

Mac

Thank you all for your help. I am going w/ the $500 pc. Can't beat the price. Both are custom builds.

If they are going to be custom builds - ask for 4gb RAM.

How is that a factor? You can just shove it behind a monitor or a filing cabinet if you don't want to look at it, anyway.

I get the impression that they're custom built for the original owner and the poster is buying one of the two secondhand from the person for whom they were originally customized. I could be wrong.

Not many softwares take advantage of Quad Core CPU's, so if you're not fully confident that you will be running software that does, leave it. A Dual Core will give you better value for the time being.

Also, go for 4 Gb RAM... Vista itself will eat almost 1 Gb RAM, so you will need some for your applications as well!

pc's.
Thank you all very much for your input!

How about the one you can afford!

Both have great specs for SL. Go with the cheaper one and use the savings to buy more shoes and hair.

You have all been great w/ your responses!! TYVM

I am picking up my pc tomorrow. The guy is a comp geek-and has been so helpful-he's even giving me a bunch of software at no extra cost!
He is going overseas as a medic in the service and is trying to get rid of a lot of stuff.
Anyone looking 4 a pc for SL should try Craigslist first. Look under private custom builds. You will find many pc geeks/techs that love building custom pc's w/ great parts!
The cost is usually always less than commercial builds & parts are usually much better than commercial.
AND, they are usually very friendly & helpful.

Thanks again all

What?

Good choice. Not a bad computer there.

Congrats on finding two good deals.