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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jsimmons" data-source="post: 418794" data-attributes="member: 85374">I've been building my own systems since 1986.   Building a HTPC is actually quite easy compared to building a gaming rig.  Generally, you should buy the best system you can possibly afford.  Set a budget and stick to it.  However, you should be prepared to spend at least $500 on the parts and an OS (depending on what you're going to use it for).  You can probably build your own box (there really isn't any need to have some other guy do it for you). It's almost impossible to assemble incorrectly if you're even just partly self-aware.I'm a programmer, all of my lists start at "0"...0) Get at least a dual core system. The dual core chips available today run  much cooler than the P4s do. You can save money by going with AMD (they're generally less expensive than a similarly spec'd Intel CPU).  1) Spread out the hard drives.  In other words, get a much smaller (capacity) drive to use as a boot drive, and put all of your media on much larger drives.2) For a boot drive, I'd recommend a 2.5-inch laptop SATA2 drive. They run cool and quiet.  You should be able to get one in the 100-160gb range for a reasonable price.  For storage drives, I would recommend nothing smaller than 1TB, and highly recommend the Western Digital W10EADS "green" unit.  Remember, hard drive speed isn't an issue in a HTPC, and these drives run cool and quiet (notice the recurring theme here?), and they provide a LOT of storage space for less than $90 at NewEgg.  I have three of these in my HTPC.3) Don't cheap out on the motherboard. Get a quality part from a name-brand manufacturer. I have an Asus (check my "My System" link in this message) in my HTPC, and it's a great board.  It's got everything you should need for a basic HTPC (bnetworking, HDMI out, and plenty of USB connections and SATA2 ports).4) Depending on your needs, you may need to purchase an add-on video card.  Fortunately, you can get very capable cards for very reasonable money nowadays.  I got one that has HDMI, is HDCP compliant, and doesn't have a cooling fan - I think it cost $60.6) Don't forget about control devices, such as a remote control, and wireless keyboard/mouse.  Added up, these things will cost you about $100.7) Networking - a decent wireless USB adapter will set you back about $60.8) Memory - get 4GB. Memory is dirt-cheap so there's no excuse not to get this much.9) As far as OS is concerned, that's a toss up and your selection between XP and Vista should be based on an honest self-assessment of your tinkering skills where software is concerned.  You *will* run into problems. Period.  That's just the nature of system building.  10) Always perform due diligence where compatibility is concerned (drivers, OS, and hardware).  Do NOT be afraid to get exactly what someone else is using if it looks like it works well.  I don't use my HTPC for TV because I have satellite with a DVR, and there was simply less to worry about by keeping the TV discrete. So, my HTPC serves as nothing more than an over-powered "media tank".  I have three 1TB drives holding over 400 CD's worth of music, 313 movies, and several TV Show complete sets, and I have room to add about 150 more movies. before running out of disc space.Because I was careful with my component selection, the system runs extremely cool and makes no noise at all (the cooling fan in my TV is much louder than my HTPC).  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.</blockquote>

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