Budget options advice

Hello, I'll try and cut to the chase a little. Basically started a full time job after being a student and will soon treat myself a a nice new piece of hardware.

I'm wondering however for about ~£700 ($1000) will I be able to build myself a rig that will last for a few years? I mean, will it be substantially better than my laptop (I'll post specs), will it be substantially better than a console (ps4)? As clearly I could pick up a PS4 for like £250/300?
Just weighing up my options really.

I will use the website overclockers.co.uk is this the best UK based option? (I will clearly seek advice after building and before buying, as I'm new to building rigs).


I've done some research, will vouch for best i5 I can find, along with a decent graphics card and 8gig duel ram (so you have a rough idea of what I'm thinking).


Current laptop specs:
64bit Win7
AMD A6-3420M APU 1500MHZ.
AMD Radeon HD 6520G (Duel graphics? Although I never enable crossfire)
6gig RAM
600gig HDD
Detailed laptop specs
I can run most games fairly decently, AC3 FPS was unplayable. I ran FFXIV at one point. Skyrim runs fine ect ect.

I'd just like to be able to run games at a really nice detail level because I'll also sink a few hundred in to a monitor. It would also be nice to be able to run the latest AAA's at a nice graphical level, so I feel as if I'm getting moneys worth.




So basically, for the budget I'm willing to spend, will what I can afford be much better than a console? Much better than what I'm running atm?
Am I right in believing I should vouch for a really good i5; rather than shed out for an i7. I also believe it's not wise to go near AMD.


Thank you for anybody who wants to help!