Looking to Upgrade

[Coleman1667]

So with all the recent failures in the console gaming genre, I'm becoming a little disheartened and looking to move to computer gaming, but I've not got anything suitable for the job. What I've got right now is a Satellite C655 Toshiba laptop that I got a few years ago. Basically I'm here asking for help and advice for building a nice desktop. I'd like to keep the budget around $500, I could probably stretch to around $800. So if you all would help me out that would be awesome. Some places that I could go online to build the computer or somewhere I can get instructions on how to build it with the individual pieces would be greatly appreciated. I'd like it to be able to run most modern games at standard quality, I'm not looking for perfection here, just something to last me a year or two so I can save up for something better. So please, help me out and let me hear some of your ideas for builds that could meet my needs.
Also, just an update. Mouse, Keyboard, and Monitor will be needed as well. I've got speakers already so those can be counted out.

 

[Jackrzu]

It all depends on what you're looking for. For starters, with mouse, monitor and keyboard and a 500 dollar budget, you're looking at $300 in hardware. Also, if you're looking more toward upgradability or sheer power for your budget. If you can't go toward $800 then it won't be much of a gaming pc.

 

[Coleman1667]

It all depends on what you're looking for. For starters, with mouse, monitor and keyboard and a 500 dollar budget, you're looking at $300 in hardware. Also, if you're looking more toward upgradability or sheer power for your budget. If you can't go toward $800 then it won't be much of a gaming pc.

Okay, I'd like to focus on upgradability for the design, as like I said I only really need it to last a year or two until I can have a larger available budget. I realize it's a low budget, but I've got no clue where to start on it which is why I'm asking here. If you would, could you maybe suggest some places to start looking or maybe a relatively cheap base unit that I could add to over time?

 

[game junky]

Good luck hitting that target because of the monitor and operating system - here is a rig spec'd for $900:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1gecF

 

[Jackrzu]

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/jackrzucidlo/saved/1RFn
My 500 system recommendation.