Ok so here's my PC first:

Asus P4P800-X
Intel P4 2.8GHz 533MHz
MSI FX5700LE
Seagate 250GB HD SATA
Corsair (Value Select) 512 DDR RAM (x2)
Pioneer Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVR-A09)

I want to upgrade from XP to Vista and want a PC that can "do the job", nothing too expensive cos I'm also planning on getting a PS3, but better than what I have now. :P I want to replace my FX5700 first cos its outdated and I always have to downgrade the aliasing, textures etc when playing the latest games. Something decent at a good price.
I will also get a 400W PSU and a new case but I've already found that. Another question I have is do I need more RAM? I have 1GB, is that enough for Vista?

I want to keep my CPU, mobo, HD, and RAM. Unless of course I absolutely need to upgrade (esp the CPU). Help in suggesting good ware plz guys. Thanks! :thumbsup:

I'd recommend upgrading your CPU to Dual-Core. Everything seems to be up to par, you can definitely upgrade your RAM but 1GB is more than suitable.

Can I just recommend NOT upgrading to Vista just yet. Wait for Service Pack 1 to be released before you even consider upgrading. I have a copy sitting on my desk waiting for the release of SP1. A few of my mates jumped the gun and have regretted it and reverted back to XP.

For the record, my copy is legit, because I'm doing an IT course at Uni I'm entitled to a Vista license from my Uni, so free Vista for me, woohoo!

I second everything Metallix just said. Vista just now is major wang. Wait a little :)

I also have 1GB RAM, it's good enough, trust me. Could do with an upgrade though, I'll be getting another 1GB RAM card soon = 2GB :D

I also have a Dual Core 2.7GHZ processor. It's great!

So yeah, Metallix couldn't be more right ^_^

I'll third the waiting... just get the aston shell if you want fancy vista wangling :)

www.astonshell.com

The pricetag certainly beats the snot out of a non-OEM vista, too...

Also, I'd recommend a switch to dual core - the baby of the core 2 duo range, the E6300 is a major powerhouse for it's price tag.

2 gig of ram is always going to be preferable to 1 - whether or not it's needed though you can make your own choice for.

With regards to a new graphics card, that's another thing that would benefit from the waiting game - 7600GS/GT are both really excellently priced right now though and will handle most things you throw at them. The DX10 generation is still absolutely in it's infancy, but should blossom and drop in price as soon as the AMD competition hits the market.

You could do what I did and just get a Vista theme, all the looks without the crippling extra PC spec requirements.

(Looking at CNC3 for example...
XP: 2.0GHz
Vista 2.2 GHz

XP 512MB RAM
Vista 1GB RAM

Most of the specs almost double if you're running Vista for the same game.)

Yeah some of those Vista themes look brilliant, I can't find any decent ones but i've seen desktop screens of some other people's and they are nearly perfect in comparison with the real thing.

You guys keep saying that he should swithc to a dual core cpu...it's not that easy, cause that means he'll need a new motherboard, and then most likely a new video card(but he's getting one anyway) cause no mobos have APG in them anymore and probably new(DDR2) ram.

So that pretty much just means he's keeping the HDD and Burner, which isn't really an upgrade, it's a full-blown replacement!

Your PC is very similar to my mine(same cpu and mobo) cept I've got a 6800GTS and 2gb of ram.

Witht he video card, you may have a bit of trouble with that since almost all video cards these days are PCI-X, and you'll need a AGP card...which in some cases are actually more expensive.

Anyways, you'd be alooking at the X1600/X1950 cards from ATi, and the 7300/7600 cards from Nvidia, which'd range from $180 to $300.

Have a look at some online reviews, and check out www.staticice.com.au for prices. :thumbsup:

Thanks for the help guys. Like Estapol said, the CPU switch (to DC) would mean I'd have to buy a whole new PC and I don't want that, I just want it to run the latest games with no problems. Lets say I wanna play Crysis with all settings set to normal or low... not high. :P

So a Dual Core is out of the question, but I have looked at prices for the gfx cards and I like the 7600 a lot. Its really good. And its at a good price too. As for the RAM I'm undecided yet.

And thanks for the tips too, I'll wait for Vista SP1.