Run Vista upgrade Advisor. It will test your software also.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx
http://www.pcpitstop.com/vistaready/default.asp

Also check out the game mfr. web site
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Make sure the model has a PCI Express X16 card slot
You will not get great video speed without an X16 slot.
Some systems cut corners and only have and X1 slot or worse.

Most of the Dell graphics upgrades are not that good and are overpriced. Order it with the default onboard video and order a better card for less money yourself.

Google
“fastest game” “Video card” Vista 2007 (keep quotes)
to get video card recommendations and advice.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2010380048+1069609641&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=48
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=1558&

Buy cards with a 5/5 star rating and a lot of votes.
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Get the fastest dual core type processor you can afford now. Upgrading later is not an option.

Spend the extra money and get the “Vista Home Premium” upgrade.

Get the Vista install disk with code key. Get disks for all drivers, and software (be sure to get DVD writer software disks).

512 GB is low. 1 GB is better if you can afford it. Vista prefers (1-2GB) You can always upgrade later if you are on a budget.
Most models have an 800 MHZ FSB but use lower speed RAM on the less expensive models.
.
Dell also allows you the option to order without the preinstalled crapware. Do this, the crapware significantly will slow your machine down. Do you need “Wild Tangent” (spyware), AOL , MSN, Google desktop, trial-ware, etc. etc. Many of these are almost impossible to totally remove.
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Virus protection (Do not use Norton its slow and not rated good. Only use 1 active virus scanner)

Not free:
NOD32 2.5 http://reviews.cnet.com/NOD32_2_5/4852-3513_7-32103849.html?tag=uoavrg
AVG Anti-Virus 7.5 Professional
http://reviews.cnet.com/AVG_Anti_Virus_7_5_Professional_Single_Edition/4505-3681_7-32153594.html?tag=prod.txt.1

Free
Free antivirus – avast! 4 Home Edition
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
Active Vrus Shield (AOL Anti Virus Shield)
http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp

Firewall:
Vista Firewall has Inbound and Outbound protection.
By default the outbound protection is turned off. Enable it.

Another option is to use:
Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall™ – Free
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm
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OpenGL
I believe it does support OpenGL but there is some debate on this.

“Windows Vista provides the same support as Windows XP for OpenGL, which allows video card manufactures to provide an installable client driver (ICD) for OpenGL that provides hardware-accelerated support; note that newer versions of such ICDs are required to fully support Windows Vista. If no ICD is installed, the system will fall back to the OpenGL v1.1 software layer in most cases.” August 2006 PER
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb173477.aspx

“OpenGL support was dropped along the way, meaning that Windows Vista currently offers horrible performance for graphics applications utilizing the Open Graphics Library.” Jan 2007PER
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/01/29/xp-vs-vista/
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