I'm wanting to build myself a HTPC. I'm in love with this case http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_i [...] htpc-cases

I have a few questions I'd like to ask and I'd like to just kill it all in one thread so please forgive as some of these might be in other realms.

1. Can I record HD smoothly onto 1 hard drive or do I have to have two in raid? This case only takes 1HD and at 1TB I figure that's plenty.

2. For HD recording and playing what kind of additional hardware do I need? By looking at this case what kind of card or cards can I put in there to make it work? It does say PCI express in one of the configs.

3. Is it possible to passive cool the CPU in this case? I don't have a CPU in mind really yet. My top priority is to build a unit that works smoothly and great for HD and music. If this can't happen then I won't do it. Functionality first. I have a 1.8ghz Opteron 165. I did some checking and saw it runs at 110w. What wattage do I need to stay under to keep this case as quiet as possible? I think the Phenom quad cores are 85watts. That should be plenty of power. If it's overkill perhaps I could underclock it?

Basically I'd like to make a HD HTPC for that case if possible. Do you think it's possible and if so how? I'm will to explore other options too.

I didn't see any reference to PCIe. That means you are limited to onboard graphics,low profile PCIe or any PCI card, using the riser card provided. You are limited to MicroATX motherboard. I doubt you can use passive cooling, and it would need a powerful fan at rear to get good airflow, so you are better with a quiet CPU fan and the airflow from the PSU. For lowest heat you need a MicroATX motherboard that takes a mobile Core2Duo or you can try a low end Core2Duo as the run pretty cool. Speedstep will reduce heat when idle. You do NOT need top of range CPU. You could try lookung up the spec of similar commercial systems.

Mike.

1. Personally I would use a smaller internal, and buy a large eSATA external drive (needs a PCI/PCIx card, or eSATA port on the MB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6815290002
($37, Takes up a PCIx 1 slot)

2. A good HD sound card, a HD capable video card (I recommend ATI, the 2000, or 3000 series HD cards)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6829271001
(heard good things about this sound card, but it's up to you)
Vid: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127308
($80, I have one in my HTPC, it displays fine on my 46" Bravia)
Or: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102726
($80)

3. I wouldn't do passive cooling in that HTPC case, as it doesn't appear to have much ventilation, or fans.
I'd look into an AM2 MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128043
($60)
or: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131172
($65)

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103213
($75, 65w dual core)
Or: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103231
($85, 45w dual core)
then pick up a good quiet/silent cooler such as:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835118005
($45 Zalman is a trusted name for cooling)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835200025
($45, don't know much about it, but quieter than the Zalman)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835186010
($13, cheap but decent)