help buying a new desk top confused:(

Any PC or most can bypass those requirements, you could build a Desktop and pay much less for a rebuilt. What is your budget?

Here's a link to a rebuilt: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00F6EK9J2/ref=mp_s_a_1_12/191-6862305-0876548?qid=1409247582&sr=1-12&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

This is a great computer but doesn't have a HDD so you will need to install your own, you can find HDDs for about 50 you can even use old laptop HDDs as well(make sure they are sata )

The system requirements you have mentioned are rock-bottom low-end. The Pentium 4 is obsolete and has been on the market since 2000, so if you purchase an i3, i5 or i7 you'll pass the processor requirement by a major significant margin. If you purchase a new laptop/desktop with Pentium (they're not Pentium 4's, they are re-branded Sandy/Ivy Bridge/Haswell Pentium's) which start at dual-core; i3's are dual-core with Hyper Threading (HT), i5's are quad-core, i7's are quad-core with HT.

The term network card is quite ambiguous, but I'm assuming they are referring to a card which can connect to the Internet; all modern motherboards have an Ethernet/RJ45 connector anyhow, so you don't need a network card; unless you want WiFi capability on your desktop.

The RAM and Hard Disc Drive requirements are minor, I'd recommend 4GB at minimum anyhow on a system, and you'll need more than 5GB disc space for your OS anyhow. So these two are not of much concern; whatever modern desktop/laptop your purchase will meet these requirements anyhow. In fact, any modern desktop/laptop you purchase will meet all of the requirements you have stated.

It's completely your call from now on. You can purchase a laptop or desktop; based on the software required for your job, you'll most likely need a MS Windows operating system (OS). So if you purchase a computer with Windows 7 or 8, you'll be fine; to run Windows 7 or 8 you need higher specifications than what you have mentioned. To conclude this paragraph, if you purchase a laptop/desktop with Windows 7 or 8 installed, you'll meet the software requirements for your job easily.

I'm assuming you're not planning to build the desktop yourself? If I'm wrong please correct me; you can always build a superior computer yourself for cheaper. If you're looking for a pre-built desktop, could you please state where you reside? Within the United States? If so are you willing to purchase your computer online? You could also purchase a laptop if that is more convenient for you. Heck, you might already have a computer in your home which meets the system requirements; if you'd like me to check, could you please download and run CPU-Z, then post here screen shots of every tab in the software. I'll then let you know if you meet the requirements or not; you most likely do, as mentioned earlier the requirements are rock-bottom low-end.

All the best.

Has to be a desktop? No problem.

By the way the CPU-Z report you posted is basically CPU-Z's Read Me file, it doesn't hold much value; I can't see your system specifications using it. Would it be possible to take screen shots of CPU-Z when you run it? In CPU-Z there are different tabs, the first one being CPU; could you take screen shots of CPU, Mainboard, Memory and Graphics? Once you take the screen shots, you can upload them to imgur and then post them here. When you post them here I'll let you know if you meet the requirements.

It's completely your call if you want a new desktop or stick to your current computer, as your current system most likely may meet the requirements. If you still want a new computer if you current system meets the requirements, that's not a problem; just let us know and I'll try and select something within your budget from online retailers in the United States. With that said, could I please know how much you are willing to spend on a new system? You don't need a high-end system, even a modern budget build will meet the requirements.

As always, all the best.

If your desktop is the HP Pavilion a1230n which I believe it maybe, then you still meet the requirements for the job. However your processor is almost as weak as the Pentium 4 and it is not dual-core. You have 2GB RAM according to your earlier post, in addition your most likely meet the requirements of 5GB free on your HDD.

The HDD is an acronym for Hard Disc Drive. You can find out how much storage you have left by clicking "Start" at the bottom left of your screen, and then select "My Computer" on the right-hand side of the menu which opened. Then you'll see a category "Hard Disk Drives" and if you right click on a local disk, usually C: and select "Proprieties", you'll find out your used and remaining space.

Since you're willing to purchase a new computer, you'll definitely be able to purchase a better performing computer than your current with your budget. When purchasing a computer, ensure it already has an operating system; either Microsoft Windows 7 or 8, don't bother with any other OS. In addition try and pick up an Intel system, not AMD, as I believe pre-built AMD systems maybe overpriced whilst not providing the best performance; then again the Intel systems maybe overpriced too, regardless you do get what you pay for with Intel. For your budget I'd aim for an Intel Core i5, sure an i3 would still meet your requirements by far, but for a pre-built system and $500 I would not expect an i3 and no GPU (I'm assuming no graphics card is provided). For your budget an Intel i3 or i5 is what I'd be looking at.

With all of that said, you don't have to worry much about the system requirements as those you have mentioned in the first post are "rock-bottom low-end" and any modern system you buy will easily meet them.

All the best.