$800 build with (slight) future upgrade path

[The_Wiseman]

Alright, I've got about $800 to build a new PC. I'm going to be using my HDTV (32", 1366x768 native resolution). Some moderate gaming at that fairly low resolution on a large screen. I also already have a keyboard.

Now, my plan is to upgrade the processor+video card in a couple of months (probably to an e8500 and 4850). I wouldn't mind upgrading the hard drive later instead except that the vista OEM says it's a one-time use, and the retail version's ridiculously expensive.

So, a few questions. Are older games going to look semi-decent with this card on my tv? I'm not looking for incredible detail, just smoothness, really. The newest game I'd be playing is CoD4.

Anything else I can cut to save some on (I know, the velociraptor.. but I do want my OS's on it for the final build. I wouldn't mind using a WD6400AAKS instead as long as I can switch my OS's [I'm at least dual booting Ubuntu] over later.) I considered downgrading to an Asus P35, but I'm not sure. Also, will this power supply be adequate?

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$79.99

ASUS P5Q LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$119.99

GIGABYTE GV-R467D3-512I Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
$80.99

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
$54.99

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E5200 - Retail
$54.99

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail

Western Digital VelociRaptor WD1500HLFS 150GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (bare drive) - OEM
$179.99

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model iHAS220-08 - Retail
$27.99

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit English 1pk for System Builders DSP OEI DVD - OEM
$99.99

Rosewill RNX-G300LX IEEE 802.11b/g PCI Wireless Card Up to 54Mbps Data Rates 64/128-Bit WEP, 802.1x, WPA, WPA2, AES, TKIP with 2 dBi Antenna - Retail
$17.99

Total: $794.90

[Masaki 7-11]

You can switch to the WD 640GB since the performance of it is similar to the velociraptor and you will be able to dual boot easily, upgrading to the velociraptor wouldn't provide much if any performance boost over the WD 640GB and it won't be possible to clone the 640GB over to the velociraptor since it doesn't have enough capacity. The best way to go about dual booting is to partition your drive in to separate areas for each OS. For the resolution you will be using, the HD4670 should last you for a pretty long time.

You might want to take a look at this power supply instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371015 (650W Antec, $60)

I would take a look at this wireless adapter instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833127075 (better quality, costs $25)

The processor you picked out is a good overclocker, so in the future you might want to take a look at getting a better heatsink and overclocking the processor instead of getting a processor such as the E8500.

[tomtoon]

Change the Vista to 64bit as then you can use all 4GB RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116488

Same price at $99.99

[Doom]

I believe that you buy the license from Microsoft for one computer. If your hard drive got corrupted and you had to get a new one, I don't think Microsoft would make you have to get a new copy of windows. It should be the same thing if you upgrade or change hard drive. As long as the old OS is removed from the old hard drive you're okay.

I had a similar issue with my copy of MS Office. I called Microsoft and they said I had essentially bought one license... so I could install it on my new computer as long as it was removed from the old one. I registered on-line the second time and had no problem. I think Microsoft only gets suspicious if they see multiple registrations under the same code in quick succession.

I know it's a pain... but you can always call MS and ask directly. That's what I did.