Core 2 Duo vs. Pentium D?

[DevinMan6700]

Hello, I am trying to decide between two different computers that are within my budget. The computer I am currently running is a Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop with an Intel T5450 Core 2 Duo processor with 1.66 Ghz, it has 3.49 Gigabytes of Ram and runs Windows XP Service Pack 3.
I have heard that certain Core 2 Duo processors are better than certain Pentium processors. I am having trouble deciding between these two computers specs are listed below:
Optiplex 760-
Intel Core 2 Duo w/ 2.80 Ghz
2 GB Ram
80 GB HDD
Windows 7

Optiplex 745 -
Intel Pentium D Dual Core 3.4 Ghz
3 GB Ram
160 GB HDD
Windows XP Service Pack 3

Which computer should I buy or is my computer I own right now the best one out of all of these.
Thanks in advance!

 

[USAFRet]

What is your 'budget'? Both of those are pretty old and slow to be spending money on.

 

[nimbah_52]

The Core 2 Duo architecture is miles ahead of the Pentium D. I would pick even a 2.00Ghz Core 2 over a 3.4Ghz Pentium D.

 

[giantbucket]

you're spending under $200 for this, right? possibly just $150? anything more and it's way too old and obsolete to be worthwhile. and also, XP? sure it was nice 10 years ago, but today is 10 years later. i wouldn't touch XP unless there was a very specific app that ONLY works on XP. and you already have XP, so really no point. 7 would be a minimum, as long as it's 64bit and either Home Prem or Pro. anything lower would be a paperweight.

 

[hftvhftv]

Get the Pentium D and put a Core 2 Quad Q6600 in it if possible, they go for $30 bucks on eBay.