I'm confused, you want to use it as an HTPC as well as a server/file share? Any version of Microsoft Server is very ill-equiped for an HTPC setup.
Your best bet is to use either Vista Home Premium, Ultimate or Windows XP Media Center Edition (all have Microsoft's Media Center program) if you desire a good interface for HTPC usage.
If you desire a better server, Server 2003 is probably the way to go (I've never dealt with Server 2008, so I cannot attest to it either way).
If you desire an OS that uses the least about of resources choose a Linux distro (Ubuntu is quite popular).
Sorry, you can't have your cake and eat it too.
Edit: Home Server could be good, I'm not very familiar with it, but I'm pretty sure that's what is intended use is.
Message edited by KyleSTL on 08-07-2008 at 11:16:22 PM
Windows Server 2003 would work fine for an HTPC. Just use XP drivers and VLC media player for video files. Server 2008 is pretty slick (only used RC 2 though), and I've run it with only 512mb of memory, but I wouldn't recommend doing that.
Setting up file sharing on a Linux distro would probably be more difficult, and I'm not sure how good the linux drivers are for your 780G, which is probably important since I'm assuming you got that mobo for it's handling of high-def content and maybe to run video and sound over HDMI.
Well i'm not gona get a remote control or anything like that, I'm gona use K-lite mega code pack for watching 720p material on a LCD tv and thats about it. Not gona record anything, geting several speacers just a simpel 720p movie tv
I guess if you don't plan on recording TV or watching HD content then Server 2003 should do fine. If you've never tried the Media center interface you're missing out, it really is a wonderful way to experience your HTPC on a good plasma/LCD. That's really the only reason I suggested Vista, even though it would be ill-equiped to handle server tasks.
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