Help me pick out a computer from these two

[leglez]

I need a new PC and only have some saved money and christmas money I'm mostly going to use this for: Web browsing, coding Web sites, homework, recording online PS2 matches and editing, music downloading, and music burning(whenever i buy a dvd/cd burner) and I have decided on 2 computers 1 from dell and 1 from walmart (my sister works there and gets 20% off)

PC#1: Dell
Intel Celeron D Processor 365 2.53GHz
Dimension B110
Windows XP Home Edition
1GB Ram
40GB HDD
Single 48x Cd-Rom Drive
17" CRT Monitor
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
$50 MiR
Sub-Total: $449
Total: $399

PC#2: Compaq
AMD Sempron S-3200+ Processor 1.8GHz
256MBs of Ram
CD-RW/Dvd Rom
80GB HDD
17" CRT
9 in 1 Memory Card Reader
Compaq Scroller Mouse/Keyboard
Available Slots: 2 PCI 1 PCI-E
Software Included: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Works 8.0, Compaq Organize, Microsoft Money Standard 2005, Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0, Sonic DigitalMedia Plus, Intervideo WinDVD 5 player, HP Image Zone Express 1.5
Sub-Total: $484
Total: $387

In February no matter what computer I get I will be upgrading to a 200GB HDD and a DVD Burner

If I get the Compaq in February I will be upgrading to 1GB of RAM

 

[DaveSimmons]

The Sempron will be much faster, and it has a PCI-E slot in case you decide to do some PC gaming. Its main problems are lack of RAM (need another 512 or 1 GB stick) and no copy of Windows? (You don't list it)

If the Dell does have a PCI-E slot (tech specs might say) then getting Windows and 1 GB RAM might make up for the slower CPU.

 

[leglez]

Oh yes it has Windows forgot to post software for it it is updated now

Say I got the compaq and wait till february then get 1GB of RAM do I just put the ram in and turn the computer on or do I have to get into the bios and edit it so it recognizes 1GB

 

[mwmorph]

i think most dells with onboard forgo a gfx card slot. so i would go with compaq. HP always uses to my knowledge rebadged asus board with full features. the motherboard for both will likely be matx but the compaq/hp will be more upgradeable.

 

[KoolDrew]

Second, but you would definitely need more RAM. The mininum should be 512MB, but I would suggest 1GB if you are doing a bit of video editing. RAM is cheap nowadays anyway, so that shouldn't be much of a problem. 1GB can cost as less as $60.

 

[leglez]

Ok thanks I'm going to go pick it up later today

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: leglez
Ok thanks I'm going to go pick it up later today

if you live near frys, go get the 2 gb kit for $100 too. great value.

 

[Slowlearner]

Dell base models, and B110 is one, are dogs, which are slow and impossible to improve upon. I would avoid one at all costs.