I have a pathetically low spec system atm. I manage to run games thorugh it well, but only after quite a bit of tinkering around, and I don't now how much longer my mobo wil be able to cope (it's v.old, has no AGP slot for reference as to its age)
 
Here are the parts I am thinking of getting currently (I am on a shoestring budget, just so you know-I'm not particularly tech savvy either, so forgive if I make some major flaw or error)
 
AMD Sempron 2800+ (sda2800dut3d) Processor 256KB Cache FSB333 - OEM
£61.42 ($114.40)
 
Abit NF7 V2.0 nForce2 Socket A 8xAGP LAN USB2 6 ch Sound DDR400 Memory Retail Box
£41.99 ($78.19)
 
Sapphire Atlantis Radeon 9800 PRO 128 MB DDR 8x AGP DVi & TV-Out - Retail Box
£130.17 ($242.39)
 
Ebuyer 500w Power Supply Black With Dual Fans
£14.09 ($26.24)
 
Speeze EEA30B4 Lightowl AMD CPU Cooler Xp3200+ and Sempron 2800+ With Green Led Lights
£7.04 ($13.10)
 
120mm Internal Case Fan In Black
£0.82 ($1.50)
 
Total Price: £255.53 ($475.82)
 
I think (hope) this should all fit together quite nicely and I would end up with a nice little system (for the price).
I have an 80Gb hdd, a stick of 512ddr ram cd-rw(48x) dvd(16x) combo drive, 120ml case fan, a pci gfx card and a 10mbps NIC from my old setup. (plus the caseitself of course)
 
My questions:
1)Is it worth the money?
2)Can I get more value for that money (a better system for around the same price)?
3)How long will that system be able to run top of the line games? EG. Will I need an upgrade to play HL3/UT2006 in a few years time?
4)If I will need an update to utilise the latest software in a few years time, then how much will I have to spend? EG a new gfx card, or just a new cooling system? (something expensive or something cheap)
6)Could I get an equivalent system for LESS than this current price (if yes, links please!!!)
 
I will answer any questions you need for you to give me advice (I would VERY much appreciate any advice you can give me)
 
Thanks in advance, Waffler