mid-range pc with future proofing?

[deddard]

I've been asked to create a PC for someone.
There are no great requirements of the PC - it is used for small databases, Intenret access, emails, Word procesing etc.
As the PC world is turning on it's head at the minute, it's a bit tough to know what to choose - I want the PC to be able to handle at least 3 years of Windows upgrades etc, so I'm looking at 64 bit processors.
two requirements are for several USB ports - front and rear, which isn't a major problem, and a bay mounted flash card reader (SD cards etc)

I've been looking at the MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum Motherboard and an appropriate cpu - maybe the AMD (Venice) Athlon 64Bit 3000+ Socket 939pin 512k L2cache 90nm which should last for a few years without the need to upgrade.
I was also thinking of antec case & PSU - purely for reliability.
A Couple of SATA drives - one as the main drive and one to use for backups plus 2 512MB DDR PC3200 RAM

Bearing in mind this is the UK, can anyone suggest anything regarding this setup or anything better for the same sort of prices?
Anyone with info on a good 3.5" bay mounted fdd + flash card reader?
how about a good 3.5" 4 port USB adaptor (not like the belkin models, wher e you apparently route a cable outside the case! ?

[saphalline]

I would advise against using that ancient mobo! It uses the old NForce3 chipset, and we're on NForce4! Don't use old chipsets - it can only end in pain...

Check out MSI's K8N Neo4 Platinum which made my top hardware list. Very nice mobo, and a worthy successor to the Neo3 Platinum.

I've seen many floppy drives + card readers at various locations (both online and in stores) but I honestly have never looked into them. It's not something I need, so I don't know much about them, other than they exist. But I do know that Atech is a huge manufacturer of card readers of all shapes and sizes, so perhaps they have something good.

I have a 3.5" 4-port USB bay in my system. It's made by Soyo, actually. I wonder if they're still in the USB bay business, but it's worth a shot. Otherwise, check out Atech.

[deddard]

Thanks for that - I'll go check the mobo out.