Want a better PC: upgrade, buy new or build?

[1solidsnake2]

I currently have a HP a6402.uk Desktop, the specs are as follows:

1.8GHz Pentium Dual Core E2160
2GB DDR2 PC2-6400 800MHz RAM
250GB SATA Hard Drive
LightScribe SATA Drive
NVIDIA 9500GT 1GB
Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit

Now, I could upgrade that with a 640GB hard drive, Windows 7 and new processor/4GB RAM.
But this upgrade will only last for some time, so I thought of getting or building a new computer as it would last a lot longer (More future-proof).
I would like to know the cost and result of building a new computer, then I'll consider my options.

For a build, I don't have much clue what parts to use. I want a decent gaming computer that can decently play new games (GTA4 for example).

Here's a (large) list of requirements:
[list]My budget will be about £600, £700 absolute maximum.[/list]
[list]I don't plan on overclocking or fitting the case with neon lights etc etc[/list]
[list]I will be reusing my current monitor, speakers, mouse and keyboard (If mobo has a PS/2 port or a USB adapter provided).[/list]
[list]Don't include the cost of Windows 7 in the list[/list]
[list]I plan to dual-boot with Linux, so good compatibility is a must[/list]
[list]I would like to use this case (It's an ATX with no PSU - £18.38): [url]http://www.ebuyer.com/product/160913[/url][/list]
[list]Unless there's a better option, I think this processor would be good (Intel i5 750 - £151.71): [url]http://www.ebuyer.com/product/172755[/url][/list]
[list]For the Optical drive, just get a standard DVD writer, I'm not interested in Blu-Ray. However, get one that has a white fascia (Silver or beige if white is not available) so it will blend with the case.[/list]
[list]Hard drive capacity must be a minimum of 640GB.[/list]
[list]I don't mind noise, but I don't want a computer that sounds like a airplane (If you understand what I mean).[/list]
[list]My current monitor will be running at 1280x1024 resolution, but I may upgrade to a higher resolution monitor in the future.[/list]
[list]Would like 4GB of RAM[/list]

Sorry for the long list, and I hope I haven't missed anything as it's quite late now and I'm rather tired.

All help is appreciated.
Thanks guys.

[rampageturke]

would you prefer to use ebuyer?

also future-proofing a computer never works, no such thing

[1solidsnake2]

[QUOTE=rampageturke;19868039]would you prefer to use ebuyer?

also future-proofing a computer never works, no such thing[/QUOTE]

I prefer to use ebuyer, Amazon and Play.Com. However other sites such as Dabs and Overclockers are absolutly fine.

And I know future-proofing is impossible, but a LGA1156 will last longer than the LGA 775.

[rampageturke]

[QUOTE=1solidsnake2;19868148]And I know future-proofing is impossible, but a LGA1156 will last longer than the LGA 776.[/QUOTE]

yeh it suppose it will, anyway, on with the job

[gerbils_alt_2]

On the contrary, Future proofing does work, it's just to a lower extent than what is usually perceived.
The only real ways you can future proof is by buying a motherboard + CD\DVD drivers + Hard drives that will last you a long time. The motherboard sockets should be that of a socket that is thought to be expanded on.

[rampageturke]

website: [url]www.novatech.co.uk[/url]
[IMG]http://i49.tinypic.com/mwtwli.png[/IMG]
quick mock up on another website cause i hate building rigs on ebuyer. overkill PSU? Y/N?

edit: FFFFFFFFF forgot optical, and also there is a free delivery option which comes to £684 which i forgot also

[1solidsnake2]

Many thanks rampage, that list has helped me a lot.

I did the same parts (and added a DVD drive) on eBuyer, so I know the price of it with VAT on eBuyer.
[img]http://imgur.com/a88uF.gif[/img]
(Delivery is free BTW)

Also, a quick bit of research said that the 5770 had a low power draw, is 600W needed? Would a cheaper, lower watt PSU suffice?

Another thing is, a friend said about cooling and said about that I may need an extra case fan, what do you guys think? (Bearing in mind I'm not planning to overclock).

[DainBramageStud]

500w should be ok.

[MTMod]

[QUOTE=DainBramageStudios;19875638]500w should be ok.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. The Modstream Pro 500W is perfect.

[1solidsnake2]

How about this PSU? It's about £10 cheaper.
[url]http://www.ebuyer.com/product/127861[/url]

[rampageturke]

[QUOTE=1solidsnake2;19877479]How about this PSU? It's about £10 cheaper.
[url]http://www.ebuyer.com/product/127861[/url][/QUOTE]

i would still go with the 500w version of the one i posted, its modular, which helps a lot with cable management, which improves airflow

[1solidsnake2]

I found this on a Hexus review of the motherboard:
[quote]Equipped with four DDR3 DIMM slots, the P7H57D-V EVO should theoretically support up to 16GB of RAM running at 1,600MHz. However, due to IMC (Integrated Memory Controller) limitations, unless utilising a Core i7 860 or Core i7 870 processor, the CPU will require a mild overclock to run the memory beyond 1,333MHz.[/quote]

Does that mean the RAM will clock down to 1333MHz unless I overclock the CPU?

[ferrous]

I think this is better than the OCZ for £50 [url]http://www.ebuyer.com/product/141007[/url] (modular)

[url]http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product1.php?id=NzA=[/url]

Please don't get an £18 Casecom. Do yourself a favour and get something such as this instead: [url]http://www.ebuyer.com/product/143854[/url]

And don't forget the 4890 if you want more bang for your pound [url]http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductID=1127688&[/url]

[[EG] Pepper]

I would swap that samsung HDD for something like a WD blue, black

all the samsung drives i ever bought (4) broke after about a year

[editline]01:19AM[/editline]

turns out that the fridge i have has a tendancy of bursting into flames :ohdear:

who made it?

samsung

EDIT:

i am actually being sereous
i have gone through two HD160HJ's a HD502LJ and a HD103SJ

its a fridgefreezer with twincool

a WD may be a few $ more but in the long run it is worth it.

[1solidsnake2]

I've changed the case to this:
[url]http://www.ebuyer.com/product/115480[/url]
I'll also add a fan on the side ([url]http://www.ebuyer.com/product/43059[/url])

The i5 doesn't seem to support RAM above 1333MHz so I found this RAM, is this RAM OK?
[url]http://www.ebuyer.com/product/179278[/url]

Also, the PSU's fan goes upwards, as the case doesn't have a vent on the top, I would need a fan going out the back, correct?
(And please, no replies of "Get a better case" or "Casecom sucks", cases by the good brands such as Cooler Master are either bland or expensive, otherwise I would have got such a case).

[Reapaninja]

[url]http://www.ebuyer.com/product/151368[/url] is anything but expensive and is many times better than a shitty casecom

there's so much more to cases than looks and price.

[1solidsnake2]

Is it possible to get a windowed side-panel for that case?

[[EG] Pepper]

[QUOTE=reapaninja;19938717][url]http://www.ebuyer.com/product/151368[/url] is anything but expensive and is many times better than a shitty casecom

there's so much more to cases than looks and price.[/QUOTE]

i agree

build quality > looks & price

you get what you pay for

[Reapaninja]

[QUOTE=1solidsnake2;19938888]Is it possible to get a windowed side-panel for that case?[/QUOTE]

why would you care, it's not like the parts are going to dance around for you

if you want a reminder what the parts look like then take a picture and tape it to the side

[1solidsnake2]

OK OK, enough on the case, I'll decide which one to get a bit later.

Anyways, is that RAM OK? And what about the PSU? The Cooler Master doesn't have a vent above it either.

[BatHands]

[QUOTE=reapaninja;19939374]why would you care, it's not like the parts are going to dance around for you

if you want a reminder what the parts look like then take a picture and tape it to the side[/QUOTE]

I would only get a side window case if I really had something to show.

[editline]08:23PM[/editline]

[QUOTE=1solidsnake2;19939471]OK OK, enough on the case, I'll decide which one to get a bit later.

Anyways, is that RAM OK? And what about the PSU? The Cooler Master doesn't have a vent above it either.[/QUOTE]

It's your own personal thing if you want to get a case with a side window. Just ignore what other people tell you. It's your opinion and your computer.

[Reapaninja]

[QUOTE=1solidsnake2;19939471]OK OK, enough on the case, I'll decide which one to get a bit later.

Anyways, is that RAM OK? And what about the PSU? The Cooler Master doesn't have a vent above it either.[/QUOTE]

the PSU faces into the case

[1solidsnake2]

[QUOTE=reapaninja;19939620]the PSU faces into the case[/QUOTE]

So the fan faces inside the case, not the case itself?

EDIT: Also, wouldn't the Casecom have better cooling as a fan can be mounted on the side-panel?
EDIT 2: Wait, is that plastic thing on the CM removable and a fan be mounted? (I assume it's to direct the CPU fan to the side vent?)

[1solidsnake2]

Sorry for the double post, but I must buy the stuff today. Here is my final parts list:
[img]http://i.imgur.com/p4uAI.png[/img]

The DVD drive I'll be using in my HP, I'll be using the LightScribe drive from the HP.

From a YouTube video, it said the plastic thing on the CM case is removable and a 80mm fan can be used (That's what I'm doing)

Also, is that RAM good?

And, I assume the PSU fan points downwards? (The labels were upside down in photos)

Sorry for the rush post, but I need to get to work now.

EDIT: Changed the hard drive to a Seagate 1TB 7200.12 £66.40: [url]http://www.ebuyer.com/product/158798[/url]
EDIT 2: Actually, the Samsung is slightly faster, I'll go back to the Samsung.