OEM computers almost always come with very poor performing standard graphics. But many companies allow upgrade options.
Dell has moved to SDRAM in it's low end P4 desktops, and SDRAM doesn't work well with the P4.
My advice is, if you want to buy from a major manufacturer, Dell is still OK as long as you know what your getting. I would get a P3 system from them, as P4 systems with appropriate RDRAM are very expensive.
Gateway is a reasonable choice, but still, if your getting a P4 make sure it comes with RDRAM.
Compaq has recently moved to standard parts. This is a good thing. Same warnings apply.
Now about the graphics, integrated graphics (IE Intel AGP graphics, etc) are all bad for performance. So you want to order one with a graphics card.
The worst is the TNT2M64.
The next worst is the MX200
The next worse is the Radeon VE
The next worse is the Radeon SDR, even the 64MB versions are slow.
Adequate solutions are:
MX400 is good
Radeon DDR is better
GeForce2 GTS is better yet
GeForce2 Pro is even better.
Anything above that is usually out of the price range for OEM buyers.
Back to you Tom...