Intel based HTPC per Tom's Energy Guide

[mark204]

Hi,

I need to build an HTPC that will also control 4 security cams through a DVR card and I'd like to use components/suggestions from Tom's Energy Guide.

So for the restrictions:
- DVR card requires windows but no drivers yet for Vista so I'm thinking MCE2005
- I can't use an mATX because I need 3 PCI slots for two Hauppauge and the DVR card
- My home stereo is old so no HDMI; I won't be going through it

I'm going to go with an E8200 as per the guide's recommendations but have no idea which motherboard to use, I'd like to find one with on board HD capable sound.

It seems 500 watts will be enough so I'd like to go with the PSU they've recommended, Silverstone ST50EF Plus (500W).

I do have a 1080i HDTV so I'm not sure which video card to go with but it should have an HDMI output with built in sound or a sound input.

I was thinking 4 GB of ram would be over kill but 2GB should be enough?

I'm eventually going to get a Blue Ray player so the components should be able to support it.

I think thats a good place to start, any suggestions would be great!

 

[Maroc]

Keeping in mind this is a typical HTPC I would recommend the following:

Processor: E2160 (Cheap, and fast especially when overclocked)
Motherboard: GA-P35-DS3L
Memory: 2gb's of good quality DDR2-800 ram
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 3650 (Would definitely suffice for a HTPC)
Hard Drive: 500gb Seagate 7200.11 (Large and fast storage solution)
Power Supply: Corsair VX 450W (Good quality PSU. Not too sure about Silverstone, this should be better though as Corsair makes some of the best Power Supplies)