Upgrading my game system

[Deadeye]

Let me start off by saying that I am on vacation in Florida and that normally I am located in the Netherlands. There (with the euro, obviously) prices for computer parts are way higher than they are here. Thus I am planning on buying some parts while I'm here. This is actually my last week of my vacation here, so if I order any parts, I will be ordering them quite soon, because I cannot risk the parts being delivered while I'm already on a plane home. I know about the customs with the limited value of items I can take home, that's something I'll have to worry about myself. Generally I'd do a lot more research myself, but (lousy excuse, I know) my internet connection is extremely slow here and I'm on a 0.2 inch screen laptop, so I am hoping that I can be a bit lazy. Large parts, like the case and the monitor, I will probably buy when I get back home, so if you do recommend on replacing my old ones, I'd appreciate it if they weren't in a combo deal, since I can;t take such big things with me on the airplane. Anyway, I'll answer the questions now. Also, my current system is as follows, in case you have any recommendations against re using several parts, or replacing others. The system is now 2 years old.
Case: Cooler Master CM 590 with 4 fans
Mobo: Asus P5K SE
CPU: Intel E8400
GFX: XFX GF8800 GTX 768MB
Memory: Kingston 4GB DDR2 (2x2GB) PC6400 800Mhz CL5
HD: Samsung Spinpoint F1 750GB
PSU: Corsair 650TX
Monitor: Samsung Syncmaster 226BW (22inch)

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
I will be gaming on it, generally I play all the high end new games that come out and while I don't have to be playing them on the highest settings possible, I like my eyecandy. I'll do the occasional video rendering and photoshopping, but nothing serious. I obviously browse the net a lot too, but I don't think that changes a lot in this situation.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
My budget would range from about 400-600 dollars, with the tax and shipping included. I rather spend less than more, seeing as that expensive parts may get me in trouble at the customs and money that I don't spend on parts I can spend on other fun things here.
3) Where do you live?
I'm in a village near Cape Canaveral (?) in Florida, while I'm here on vacation.
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
I'm thinking of a new CPU, with that a Mobo and new RAM memory and possibly a cooler (more on that later) and a new GFX card.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
I will be reusing the following:
Case: Cooler Master CM 590 with 4 fans
HD: Samsung Spinpoint F1 750GB
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V
Monitor: Samsung Syncmaster 226BW (22inch)

If you recommend against reusing any of these, please let me know. The hard drive is quite full and probably not that fast anymore compared to the new ones, but I suppose it would still work. Also, I'm assuming that the case is large enough to hold the newer cards, it holds the 8800GTX quite well which is a big one too I guess. But again just let me know.

I might also reuse my windows XP x64, although I know about the drivers being annoying for that. If windows 7 x64 can be gotten in some sort of combo or anything for not too much, I'll gladly take it.

6) Will you be overclocking?
I am not really planning on doing so, except if the chosen CPU is a real good overclocker and it would really be a shame not to overclock it, like for example the old Intel Q6600 (I think it was that one). But again, It's not a priority.
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
I will probably be reusing my 22 inch samsung 226BW, unless you advice against it.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Building, in a week or 2. Buying, in the next 1-3 days.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
I honestly don't need a lot of features for my mobo, unless you can recommend some great ones. WIFI would be a great bonus since I am almost certainly going wireless, but it is not a necessity.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? 32bit or 64bit?
I have windows XP x64, which I have been happily using for 2 years now. The driver issues are highly exaggerated, but I suppose it should be time for a change. Like I said before, if the costs aren't great, I would probably like to go windows 7 x64.

 

[Shadowssong]

Without getting super specific (don't have the time at the moment) I would suggest something along the lines of...
Phenom II X4 925 + Gigabyte GA-870 Mobo + 4GB G.Skill DDR3-1333 (I believe there is an awesome combo with that ram and mobo) and then something along the lines of an HD5770 or possibly if you can push your budget a GTX460. The 460 is obviously more powerful but it will generally run you about $30-40 more.
You can probably combo win7 x64 with the cpu or the gpu but that will only save you about $10 off the $100 price.

 

[SpeedyVV]

Deadeye, I would recommend one of two possible routes.

Either upgrade your GPU or upgrade to a X58 mobo\cpy\ram. That way you are not taking too much with you trough customs.

So get an HD 5850 or HR 5870 depending on your budget.

OR get a X58 mobo, a i7 930, and 6Gigs of DDR3 ram.

Personally in your situation I would go with an upgrade to the GPU then upgrade the core system later.

Good luck through custums

 

[Dangman]

I concur with Shadowssong's recommendations but with a slight modification:
$160 - AMD Phenom II X4 955 CPU
$150 - Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3 AMD 870 ATX Motherboard + G.skill F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT 2 x 2GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$200 - eVGA 768-P3-1360-TR GeForce GTX 460 768MB PCI-E Video CArd
----
$510 shipped.

 

[Shadowssong]

Yep ^ that's what I meant hahaha

 

[Deadeye]

Thank you for those quick responses! About the customs, it's not really that big an issue. I'm not here by myself, and you can take a decent amount a person in, 430 euro's which translates into about 550 dollars. Now, I'm not only going to buy PC parts, but like I said, I'm not here on my own so I have faith that it will be alright. Those suggestions look great I suppose, I've been 'out of the game' of parts for a while, but since I don't have a lot of time to do some research, I did some quick reading and they seem great indeed. And on top of that, I have a great deal of trust in you.
On another topic, do you guys agree on the parts I plan on reusing? Or am I missing out not replacing a few of them?

Thanks

 

[Dangman]

On another topic, do you guys agree on the parts I plan on reusing? Or am I missing out not replacing a few of them?

The parts you're reusing are just fine. Not missing much by not replacing them

 

[Deadeye]

Thanks again Danny, I'm considering taking the parts you recommended. I haven't been able to read a lot of product tests, but the parts seem solid. Is the unlocked multiplier on the CPU worth it? If I understand correctly, It's the same as the 945, apart from that, right? I'm gonna have a good night's rest about it, and I will probably order tomorrow.
What would be very interesting for me to know is how long it generally takes for orders from newegg to ship. I am located in Florida as stated before, but I assume there are no delivery's on Sundays here or even on Saturdays? Because if that is the case, I have to receive the parts on Friday or before that. Apart from the 1/100 case, should that be possible? Just want to hear your general experiences with how long it takes newegg to process and ship.

 

[bastage]

Thanks again Danny, I'm considering taking the parts you recommended. I haven't been able to read a lot of product tests, but the parts seem solid. Is the unlocked multiplier on the CPU worth it? If I understand correctly, It's the same as the 945, apart from that, right? I'm gonna have a good night's rest about it, and I will probably order tomorrow.
What would be very interesting for me to know is how long it generally takes for orders from newegg to ship. I am located in Florida as stated before, but I assume there are no delivery's on Sundays here or even on Saturdays? Because if that is the case, I have to receive the parts on Friday or before that. Apart from the 1/100 case, should that be possible? Just want to hear your general experiences with how long it takes newegg to process and ship.

I ahve ordered from newegg before in the early morning with there standard shipping & received my items the next day & I am not exactly near a ship depot.. Its more the travel time.. & Newegg has a rush order option, but I stopped paying for it because they always ship the same day anyway.

 

[Dangman]

Thanks again Danny, I'm considering taking the parts you recommended. I haven't been able to read a lot of product tests, but the parts seem solid. Is the unlocked multiplier on the CPU worth it? If I understand correctly, It's the same as the 945, apart from that, right? I'm gonna have a good night's rest about it, and I will probably order tomorrow.
What would be very interesting for me to know is how long it generally takes for orders from newegg to ship. I am located in Florida as stated before, but I assume there are no delivery's on Sundays here or even on Saturdays? Because if that is the case, I have to receive the parts on Friday or before that. Apart from the 1/100 case, should that be possible? Just want to hear your general experiences with how long it takes newegg to process and ship.

The unlocked multi is worth it IMO if you plan on overclocking. The 955 BE is clocked 200Mhz higeher than the 945. If overclocking is not a huge priority, you can drop down to the 945 to save some cash.

Newegg doesn't ship on weekends. However once shipped, depending on the carrier you choose, they'll usually arrive between Monday to Saturday IIRC. But try to aim for Friday. If you order tomorrow, it might be a good idea to spend the extra cash for the 2 days shipping options.

 

[horrorshow]

I'd follow Danny's advice and go with the 955 BE.

 

[Deadeye]

Alright, I think I'm going to be a bit annoying here. I'm a bit too worried about something going wrong with not delivering on time, or being broken when I get home and things like that, and even though it's not a huge amount of money, it's still 500 bucks. But the question remains the same, since I'll buy the parts at home instead of here. You can still link to newegg and all, that's no problem, it's just the combodeals that don't exist for me. So, saying that I can't take a combo deal, does the recommendation remain the same? If I do make up my mind and act like a man and order them from here in the USA, I will go with the list danny has made me.

 

[horrorshow]

Alright, I think I'm going to be a bit annoying here. I'm a bit too worried about something going wrong with not delivering on time, or being broken when I get home and things like that, and even though it's not a huge amount of money, it's still 500 bucks. But the question remains the same, since I'll buy the parts at home instead of here. You can still link to newegg and all, that's no problem, it's just the combodeals that don't exist for me. So, saying that I can't take a combo deal, does the recommendation remain the same? If I do make up my mind and act like a man and order them from here in the USA, I will go with the list danny has made me.

Yes.

It's a damn sound list.

 

[Deadeye]

Well, that works for me. I did the numbers and it will be an extra 100 euro's if I buy it at home, and I suppose I'll have to think about wether warranty (and an ensurance that I will actually get the parts, but then again, the chances that that will go wrong are in the same league of them being stolen from the truck they are being delivered in in my country, so never mind that) is worth 100 euro's for me. Something tells me I'll have an epiphany on the matter somewhere tomorrow while lying on the beach, thanks again everyone.