Need new computer advice+OS and Graphics Cards

Since I'm starting collage here pretty soon I figured I'd need a new computer, my current XP system is about 4 or so years old(give or take a few months). At first I just wanted to upgrade it but I'm worried that it may die on me, being outdated and such. I've got about 1,000 dollars to work with.( I just need a simple, basic system that can still run all three Guild Wars, Fable: The Lost Chapters. I'll worry about EOTN and GW2 when they come out. I'm also looking at maybe running WoW, but not until I have a job that will at least leave me enough money for the fee.

This is one system I'm currently looking at.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1173577986795
In terms of hard drive size and RAM it looks good, since I've been getting by with 512 ram for a long time and I've been wanting more so that I can run the game without to many issues(mainly in PvP, where I lag for a 10-20 seconds before I can do anything). This doesn't include the Renewal Plan which I'm sure would be at least another 200-250 dollars.

But this system raises some questions. I've heard bad things about Vista and running games, and I know that if I decide to go with this system I'd have to upgrade the basic that comes pre-installed. My question is this: Is vista as bad when it comes to games and general web-surfing as people say? Also, I've heard that when buying a new computer that it's possible to downgrade the OS to an older model. If this is true, would it be possible to put XP as the OS instead of Vista? If at all possible I'd really like to stick with something I know the inside and out of, which is XP. I'm just worried that with Vista I wouldn't be able to save all my images, files and other programs the same way as I've been doing on XP.

Now onto graphic cards. On my current budget I'm looking at one of the 8600series: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1172881770761
Would this card be good enough to run all areas of all three Guild Wars. I had problems months ago getting into NF's Vabbi and areas beyond that, which is why I'm asking. I don't want to pay for a card that won't let me access every area in the game and at least let me play on near max settings. I'd assume that this card could also run The Lost Chapters, but then I'm not so sure. Also releating to the above in the first paragraph, could this run WoW?

I don't know anything about installing the cards myself so I'd have to take it in, which Best Buy would charge me 40 dollars to install the card which would put me at the 850-900 dollar range assuming the renewal plan is at 200-250 dollars. Thanks in advance for all answers.

This would be better
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1173577698398

The 8600 isn't all that great TBH a 7xx series still out preforms the 8xx series in DX9 games. There is nothing wrong with Vista, ignore the doom merchants, yes, there is some compatibility issues with older games (I can't play Diablo 2 for example) but as far as GW is concerned it will run fine.

Edit: Yes the 8600 will run Fable and WoW (pretty much anything can run WoW lol) prob be better ruuning on med settings though.

That's a pretty expensive system, but it does have everything else I'd need minus the graphics card. Now if the 7xx can out-preform the 8xx series,which would you suggest? If I decided on that system I'd have about 200 dollars left to work with? I was just lookng at a 7300 since it's pretty cheap.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1177717727683
And looking at the recommended card for Nightfall, it states a 5700 or above so I'd assume that a 7300 would work as well and still keep me within my budget which is my big worry.

Something like this
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1177112455542

You'd be saving cash, however the 8600 is PCI-E and the 7600 is AGP so you'd have to look into that.

Wait for other people opinion also, my knowledge is fairly limited.

Don't be overly concerned about your graphics card. In relative terms, both Fable and Guild Wars have relatively low requirements; either of those nVidia cards would likely be able to run Guild Wars at very high or maximum eye candy.

Dont bother in investing in cards for Gw2. Any card today should work then but to play on Highest settings with dx10 I would wait another year for a graphics card.

Now onwards to the 8600. The 8600 GTS is better then the 7600 and equivallent to the 7800 in some aspects. I would suggest not buying any computers from bestbuy or equivallent stores as they like to load our favourite crapware onto it. Look into a dell (They too add some stuff.. beh) or Configure yourself a computer at Ncix.com. Im not sure if newegg has a computer configurer or not since I do not live in the states.

Besides that after looking at the Compac, I can tell you its a ridiculous computer and you shouldn't waste your money on it.

If your getting a computer nowadays, invest in a core 2 duo processor (Such as the E4xxx Series) or a Amd Athlon X2 4000+ Processor.

Edit: Vista is fine but avoid Windows Vista Basic Like the plague.

I'd steer well clear of that Compaq! I reckon you'd struggle to even fit a modern graphics card into the case, and even if you did I bet the PSU is a generic no-namer without the relevent connections.

What about a laptop/notebook?

There are plenty in the sub $1000 mark that will play GW.

Good place to view if you are interested: www.notebookreview.com