PC to be reincarnated - advice please

[Jukeboxs]

My self-built PC is in need of a long-overdue upgrade, having not been touched for about 6 years. I live in the UK and was looking through Ebuyer for new components, and came up with some possibles below. Just wondering what your thoughts are on these please.

Case
I have a Chieftec Dragon full-size tower, about 10 years old, not planning on changing this.

PSU
I have an Antec NEO480 (480w max). Would I need to upgrade this?

Motherboard
Current model is Asus K8V. Considering another Asus, as very dependable.
Had looked at M4A78-VM or M4N78 SE. Does it matter whether AMD or Nvidia chipset?
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/168321...oduct_overview
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/170253...oduct_overview

CPU
Currently have AMD 64 2800. Not sure what to get really. Don't use PC for gaming, other than occassional CDrom childrens' games for our daughters. Mainly surfing, e-mails, Excel, and building websites (for fun) - occassionally watch BBC IPlayer.
Would an AM3 (AMD Phenom II X2 550) be a waste, for example? I'd like to not upgrade again for as long as possible, so getting the best I can afford now may be advisable.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/166518...oduct_overview
On second thoughts, from the reviews of the mobos, it looks like they don't support AM3 without a BIOS upgrade (which invalidates warranty if it goes wrong?). So perhaps I should opt for a more basic, and definitely supported, AM2, like the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ ?!
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/128510...oduct_overview

CPU Cooler
Current Zalman is a star performer. Would a ZALMAN CNPS 9500 AM2 be alright? It seems to also be suitable for AM3. Not sure if the above mobos would fit this (Zalman's recommended mobo list well out of date). Any thoughts?
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/116412...oduct_overview

RAM
Thought of going for Kingston, has served me well in the past. Can't access RAM recommended page on Asus website. Would 2Gb DDR2 1066 suffice? I'm currently on XP Pro, but would likely upgrade to Windows 7 at some point.
I've never had a RAM cooler. Not needed if I'm not a serious gamer?
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/119223...oduct_overview

Graphics / Sound
Thought I would simply use the onboard mobo functionality for now, no need to buy separate cards I don't think for my uses.

Case Fans / HDD/ FDD/ CDD / DVDD
I wasn't planning on changing these.

All in all, I thought I should manage all this for under £200. Seems an okay cost every 6 years I reckon.

Thanks for your thoughts and advice, and time!


All the best,
Andrew.

[glc]

The Neo is acceptable if it's the ATX 2.0 model with a 24 pin main connector and the dual +12v rails. AMD chipset is now preferable. AM2 and AM2+ take DDR2, AM3 takes DDR3. If you use DDR2, 800 speed is fine. If you use DDR3, get 1333 speed. Consider 4gb. No ram coolers needed. Note that the new boards only have one IDE controller, so if all 3 of your devices are IDE, one will have to go. If the board you choose has an 8 pin aux +12v connector for the CPU, the Neo will have to be replaced. If you are gaming, you will need a video card - even the very good onboard ATI video on the AMD boards isn't really suitable.

[Jukeboxs]

Thanks glc! That's a great point about the IDE - they are indeed all IDE. So, looks like I'll have to buy new CD/DVD SATA drive. Thanks for the heads up! The NEO comes with 24-pin connector so sounds like it should be okay.

[Jukeboxs]

A follow-up question please:

As I am currently using a 32-bit operating system (XP Pro), will fitting 2x2Gb RAM sticks cause them any damage? Or is the only downside that only 3Gb will be recognised? I am intending upgrading to Windows 7 in the next few months, but not right away. And I don't want to damage the RAM before then by using it with XP.

Much obliged!

[glc]

I'm referring to the auxiliary connector by the CPU - a lot of new boards have an 8 pin instead of a 4 pin. It looks like the M4A78-VM only has a 4 pin.

From a speed standpoint, I'd recommend a SATA hard drive. A 750gb WD Caviar Black is only about 60 quid. You can keep the old IDE drive and get an external USB adapter or housing to use it as a backup device. Those run about 15 quid.

I'm running XP 32 with 4 gigs, no problems. It recognizes 3.25.