First HTPC'er here

[Brad74]

Hiyas,

Looking at making my first HTPC, just upgraded my PC so have a couple of OK components wasn't sure what to do with. Someone sugested a HTPC and after doing a google search find myself here. So I am currently less than 48hrs HTPC old.

I have owned regular Home Theatre equipment for years, going back to my Laser Disc collection which I still have. I really am particular about picture and sound reproduction so to be honest I am treading lightly on the HTPC front.

Wanting to make a HTPC out of as many of my current spare parts to see if it's something I am willing to delve into and invest further into. Currently only interested in DVD playback direct from disc and HDD as that is my basis on wether a HTPC is for me.

Currently I have spare

Case
Coolermaster Extreme 430W PSU
AMD 3800+ (single core) CPU
Foxconn 7300gt Video card (DVI-I + HDTV-out+ VGA)
250GB HDD

Need

MoBo
RAM
SoundCard if not built into MoBo

Currently not sure how these specs stack up, but will soon find out.

Thanks in Advance
Brad

[tackster]

hi,
i didnt see your HD tuner?

*operating system?
XP MCE(XP normal does not have Media centre,and i think XP is not sold new,or soon wont be) or Vista?i recommend Vista HP64 OEM.

your AMD will handle most operations, same as my first HTPC, now have tri core.quad cores under $200

ram is 2 gig to start(pair of 2*2 gig DDR2 cost me $120 3 months ago CORSAIR), 32 bit uses max 3 gig,i use vista 64 bit, have 4 gig, soon as i can afford 8 gig.

HDD 250 gig good start, i now have 3 HDD at 1 tera, not enough after olympics....and all my unwatched DVDs,HD TV recordings!(KNIGHTS TALE IS 10 GIG)

mobo the gigabyte HD720 series has 2 channel analogue out,and 256 meg shared DVI out and VGA ports. next step up has 5.1 digital out(optic fibre for normal stereo)

HOPE I HELPED A NOOB TODAY )

edit:
case: i use a purpose built HTPC case, an 17 silver****(sh it forgot brand name), look on ebay or shops,mine has 6 HDD,4*80mm fans very quiet) rack and is size of my pioneer amp.
blue ray rom/dvd burner now under $200.or 50 bucks a decent dvd burner

lastly...i recommend WMC wireless keyboard,and remote,cost me 100 bucks.