Intel-Based Downloading Workstation Build

These are nettops. Can run XP/Linux. Light apps. The cpu raw power may be lacking for you.

MSI Wind PC Intel 945GC Black Barebone - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

MSI Wind Nettop 100 Intel 945GC Black Mini / Booksize Barebone System - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

MSI Wind Nettop CS120 Intel Atom 230 (1.6GHz) 1GB DDR2 160GB Intel GMA 950 Windows XP Home - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

If you need RAID or want a NAS that can run custom software like free NAS, etc. you want to consider building a mini-itx pc for under $200.

CASES:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...

CPU/MOBO COMBOS:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...

The one that I'd use to build a 1080p-capable HTPC/NAS would be D945GCLF2D with a dual-core Atom cpu. Can run old games.

http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/motherboards/D945...

Then you can pick out RAM (2GB; cheap) & 2 HDDs (1TB; RAID 0) and maybe an optical drive for installing software or burning disks. Some mini-ITX cases can house a dvd drive + 2 HDDs (one may be vertically positioned).

PSUs don't need to be big. 100W-200W is ok for nettops.

OS can be XP or Linux or NAS. The first are useful if you need Internet once in a while. NAS will only do NAS, no other apps allowed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network-attached_storage#L...

Great pre-built options, but come to think of it, CPU power like you said may be a bit too weak.

I think I can do without an optical drive. Is DAEMON tools already good for creating virtual drives, or is there a better alternative?

Anyways, here's a more detailed build based on your suggestions:

Mobo & CPU: Intel BOXD945GCLF2 Atom 330 Intel 945GC Mini ITX Motherboard/CPU Combo - $80

Case: HEC 8K 8K01BBA12 Black 0.7mm Thickness SECC (Japanese Steel Metal Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case 120W Flex Power Supply Power Supply - $50

RAM: Kingston 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory - $26

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - $100

Total: $256

You wanted me to use RAID 0 because it allows really faster data transfer speeds, am I right?

DT Lite is free, but for mounting images only. If you want to create iso's, use the free imgburn:

http://www.imgburn.com/

Yup, you can use a single drive. Or RAID 1 for safety (1 live; 1 backup).

Great list, pull the trigger.