I always here mudcatters contemplating upgrades and complaining about their old computers. So I thought I'd put in my 2 cents.
First, now-a-days it is often more practical to just buy a new computer than try to upgrade the old. Computer junkyard keepers such as Duane D. may disagree, but I have given up on that. Anyhow, I was just browsing today and found a listing of sub $500 computers and thought I would share it with you.
Hardware prices are way down. As for quality, I have bought 5 e-machines this year and every one was good. In fact, the Mudcat has been running on an e-machine for months now.