Build/Buy my first HTPC

[TheHighlander]

Ok this is my first proper post on this forum, and im asking for help already lol. Basically im looking to build or buy a HTPC with some certain specs and I was wondering if some of you could send me in the right direction with suggestions.

Im not going to be buying it for a few months yet, well at least not all the components, that’s why im thinking building it myself might be better as I can buy the parts a bit at a time when I have some spare cash.

I have a Samsung HDTV, and have a Dell Inspiron Slimline PC hooked up to it at the moment, using a VGA cable to connect it up. This setup is ‘ok’ but I don’t feel im getting all I can out of the features I have available in the TV.

Certain features of the HTPC im looking for are –

At least 500gb HDD
Blu-ray writer optical drive
Built in wireless
Windows 7

Less important features but if possible –

A black/mostly black case
Remote Control
Bluetooth
Fast transfer rates when adding/removing files from external HDD's
Small (goes on its side rather than a tower)
Quiet

Graphics are something im not sure about, im not a gamer at all, but I do want a good picture for watching DVD’s and such. Also the amount of memory im not sure about either, judging from other threads im guessing 2GB’s is enough.

I’ve checked on quite a few sites and none of them seem to have what im looking for ready to buy, so building it myself is the road im going down, which is what I wanted anyway as it should be a fun project.

All ill be using it for is watching movies, listening to music (and possibly music editing but not in any big way), backing up files.... along with the regular stuff like using Microsoft office programs, browsing the internet, etc.

The budget I have is at most £500 for the moment (which after a quick look at a currency converter tells me is about $800 lol).

If i’ve left anything out or didn’t make any sense, let me know and ill try and explain myself better.

Thanks in advance.

[pam123]

Now don't freak, I'm not suggesting you build this rig, but you need a few more ideas and this will explain quite a bit : How to Build the Ultimate 3D Home Theater PC | Maximum PC

Your parts list :
You need at least a 1TB hard drive,but really get the largest you can afford. It's amazing how quickly you can fill a media drive.
Since you won't be gaming a video card like this one would be all you'd need : Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100287L Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 512MB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity (More on this follows)
Ram is cheap enough that you can get 4 GB for less than $100 US so you might as well.

Depending on what motherboard you pick ( and are you going AMD or Intel?) you may not need a video card so keep that in mind when you look for a full featured board with built in wireless.
If the on board video is HD ready then spending the extra for the board and not getting a stand alone video card would be fair trade.

[TheHighlander]

I mentioned the 500GB HDD just to try and stay within a budget due to the other things i want, 1 or 1.5TB would of course be what id rather, same goes on the RAM.

As for the motherboard, im open to suggestions on this too (translated into i don't know which one to go for lol). Im leaning towards the Intel Core i3 for the processor, i've used AMD in the past though and never had a problem with it.

Is that a sensible one to go for or did i go overboard?
From what ive read about it, it seems to be capable of what i want in the HD department, rather than a gamers one.

Thanks for your help, and these links. Im reading through them right now and will add more details as and when i come across it if anything catches my eye.

[glc]

It's wise saving your money and buying all the components at build time.

[TheHighlander]

Yeah I wont be buying anything and have it laying around for months with the possibilty of it getting damaged, at the moment just doing a bit of research so i dont end up buying the wrong thing.

Going back to what pam123 said, now that ive had a proper read of your links and searched a bit more, ill probably go with a micro atx MB.

EDIT :
Is this one sufficient?

http://www.intel.com/products/deskto...D-overview.htm

It says onboard graphics with HDMI/DVI ports. No built in wireless but there are PCI slots.
Reading the bottom, the original Processor i mentioned above isnt mentioned there, which of these are best suited for my needs? (sorry for all the questions, total newbie at work lol).

[glc]

That's socket 775, and is essentially obsolete.

If you aren't going to have the money for "months", I'd suggest that we revisit this when you do have the money. The market will be totally different then.

[David M]

Only fresh fish drops quicker in value than computer parts.

[Kidd]

Originally Posted by David M Only fresh fish drops quicker in value than computer parts.

Chinese proverb?