Thanks for your replies guys..

Looks like I've got allot of reading to do being a complete novice to this and seeing there are so many options!!! :-\

m_c - The CS-Labs controllers look good what drivers would you suggest if I was going to go straight into a full upgrade? also looking at the Kflop i'm tempted as I can get everything from them kflop, kstep, kanalog, looks like all id need to get it up and running - is there a uk provider for these?