2-J: You're spot on about the overestimation and about the performance of the 8400. Even when I began upgrades in 2009 I was quoted all kinds of outrageous costs for just about everything I asked about. Made it sound like I'd need anywhere from $800 to $2000 to do anything meaningful. Of course it only took a little knowledge and a few clicks to find out that wasn't the case. One thing this comp did for me for sure was teach me about where everything is inside and how to build my own. (which is a lot easier when you lose all the Dell proprietary stuff like rigged power button etc., and just get your own case).
On performance, unless someone is running with a ssd installed I've seen no real difference in response times or satisfaction with either work applications or games between this "old" computer and newer models. Then again I'm not comparing it to my "as shipped" dell 8400 but to and upgraded one. 650 psu, max ram, 1gig video card ram(256 bus) and more then 1tb of space. So $15-$39 for a cpu uprade vs $1500 for a new one that may save me a few seconds? Nah I'm good for now :D.
If that 670 comes with free shipping I might consider it. I did want the virtualization for windows 7 to be able to run xp mode but I've never even checked out xp mode on the windows 7 computers I have here so it may not be worth it. Thanks for the tip--oh and it's she btw ;).
P.S. Oh wow Skyrim? I never installed it on here--partly because of the odd scoff (from gamers with newer models) at the poor graphics I'd have trying it on this one. I don't have it on the newer ones I own because they are business-focused so I couldn't exactly compare. Can't wait to check that out now. Another fine tip! Thank you.