First off.. this system has already been bought, and built. BUT, Im interested in which system everyone thinks would have been better for the situation. The system was built for a friend, who will use it mainly for school stuff, movie watching, music, and some light gaming at 1280x1024. Another friend of ours (a CET major in fact) recommended the first list, and me the second. Prices reflect what they were when stuff was purchased.

1st list:

NZXT LEXA BlackLine Black Steel - $105
MSI P35 Neo2-FR - $110
EVGA 512-P3-N861-AR GeForce 9600GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 - $140 (AR)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (sold to her for $100 after upgrade to quad) - $100
CORSAIR XMS2 (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 (5-5-5-12 version) - $50
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM - $70
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner SATA Model SH-S203B - $27
Speakers, Keyboard and mouse, Windows Vista - $100
Total Cost: $702 (before shipping)

2nd list:

NZXT LEXA BlackLine Black Steel - $105
GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L - $90
GECUBE GC-XHD3850PG3-E3R Radeon HD 3850 512MB - $130
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 - $100
Crucial Ballistix (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 (4-4-4-12) - $31 (AR)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM - $100
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner SATA Model SH-S203B - $27
Speakers, Keyboard and mouse, Windows Vista - $100
Total Cost: $683 (before shipping)

So whats everyones opinions? Would you have gone with the 1st or 2nd build?

Neither, they both have ups and downs to me.

9600gt>3850
Ballistix>Corsair (much cheaper too)
DS3L>Neo2 FR
320GB>500GB (i can't fill my 250gig over 50%)

Now, if someone gave me either system, I wouldnt complain. haha

The fact that you don't use much HDD space is totally irrelevant here STRKR, different people have different habits. One person might have 2 TBs of space and he might still have to get rid of data he'd rather not, while another person will be fine with 40GBs.

I myself have 750GBs across 3 HDDs and I have to routinely comb my drives for data that might not be as important to me as I originally thought, to make room for other things.

Also, I believe that Seagate drive would be a better performer, capacity and performance on that drive is definitely worth the higher price tag.

Other than my rant on HDD capacities, I agree with STRKR.
Both rigs have their ups and downs, and I think they are both well balanced for their final price.

^Agreed.

At stock speeds the 1st rig would obviously game better cos of the 9600