Upgrading for $400-500

[trOver]

My friend is upgrading to play latest games (COD4, UT3, maybe crysis)

Parts he is keeping:

Case (nice lian li, yay!)
Monitor, keyboard, mouse (will be playing 1600x1200)
DVD drives, harddrives

He currently is running an AMD64 3000+ (939) with 2gb ddr400, and a 7600gt

With only 400-500 bucks, I don't know if I should just get best amd, or mid intel?

Parts needed:

PSU: I was thinking something in the 400-600watt range, maybe corsair?
CPU: dual core intel or amd?
RAM: 2gb ddr2-800
MOBO: Best bang for buck? either platform?
GPU: Would a 8800gt be pushing it? this would be upgrade proof though

Thanks

 

[Zap]

Nothing is upgrade proof.

Originally posted by: trOver
PSU: I was thinking something in the 400-600watt range, maybe corsair?
CPU: dual core intel or amd?
RAM: 2gb ddr2-800
MOBO: Best bang for buck? either platform?
GPU: Would a 8800gt be pushing it? this would be upgrade proof though

I don't think the $400-500 budget would cover all those parts AND an 8800GT now that pricing is hitting around $300 shipped for the card itself at the handful of places having stock.

2GB DDR2-800 RAM $60 shipped for your choice (not including rebate deals)
PSU Antec EA430 $70 shipped -$30 MIR (Corsairs are great, but expensive)
Abit IP-35E $95 shipped (or wait for a rebate deal knocking $20 off)
Pentium Dual Core E2140 $75 shipped
ATI Radeon 3850 256MB $185 shipped

Total shipped cost $485 before rebates.