Dear Geek buds,

I have to confess, I'm only a pseudogeek and haven't kept up with the latest developments in personal computing and the time has come to replace my aged desktop PC; I've run out of space and oomph.

I'm not even sure where to start, the options available today as opposed to when I was last in the market are boggling. WTF is hyperthreading anyway?!?

Anyhew, what to get and where to get it? I don't really have time or inclination to research it properly. I use a computer a fair bit but not for gaming or anything savage. Just looking for a fast, reliable and reasonably priced desktop system (I know, pick two...). Looking to spend <$1k.

Am currently leaning towards the entry level Dell Inspiron 560 but my limited attempts at background research suggests that its processor (Pentium Dual Core E5400 (2.7GHz,800MHz, 2MB)) is not exactly the latest and greatest, nor does it appear to be upgradeable at all. Other than that, it's about the level of what I'm after (500GB drive, 4GB RAM, Windows 7, DVD RW, sort of thing). I don't need a monitor or other peripherals.

Do the Inspiron 560 specs represent decent bang for the buck?
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium Dual Core E5400 (2.7GHz,800MHz, 2MB)
Memory: 4GB (2X2GB) DDR3 SDRAM Memory (SYSTEM MEMORY will only perform at 1066MHz due to chipset limitation)
Hard Drive: 500GB SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive with Native Command Queuing
Video: Integrated Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator X4500 Graphics
Optical: 16x DVD+/-RW Drive
Bottom Line: $850 delivered

The local PB technology suggest they can do a similar system but upgrade the processor to a Dual Core E6500 chip, 2.9GHz also with 4GB of memory but it would be DDR2 rather then DDR3 for $800. Is there any substantive difference or benefit in this?

Any advices?

- DM