Rate my HTPC build

Case: Silverstone LC13B-E
PSU: Antec earthwatts EA500 500W 80 PLUS
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3LR LGA 775 ATX
CPU: Intel E5200
RAM: Kingston 4GB DDR2
Video: nVidia Palit 9600GT
Storage: Western Digital 1TB 3.5 drive
Blueray: LG drive
TV Tuner: Hauppauge ATSC
Wireless Adapter
OS: Win 7 64-bit

Keyboard: Logitech DiNovo
Mouse: Logitech MX Revolution

I'm looking for recommendations. We want to game and watch movies. We'll be sitting about 10 ft away from the system and TV.

Thanks for the reply. I hadn't nailed down the RAM kit yet, so thanks for the suggestion!
I own both a 4850 and a 9600GT. I think the 9600GT is a bit quieter, but you're right, the 4850 is better for gaming. It's a long story but whichever isn't in my main PC will be in my HTPC as it's the only part I've already bought.
I hadn't looked at the P43 board. Looks like it's just one generation behind the board I selected. I noticed that the FSB is only 1333 without overclocking. Will that affect me at all?

meh, if this is a pure HTPC build, then i would say go AMD and onboard graphics, but other than that, not bad, though i think the 9600GT is a little overkill (unless you do some light gaming)

Depends on the case and the PSU. You can probably tuck away most of the cables in that case, out of the air flow.

In your case, you are using a larger PSU because you want a gaming rig. This means more cables than, say, an EA380.

On the other hand, there are not many quality PSUs that are modular at lower wattages.

Corsair 520HX comes to mind.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=520HX

This Seasonic would be another.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817151056

And just to throw it out there, you can also go this route:

Athlon X2 5050e 45W (low wattage CPU)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103298

Asus M3A76-CM AM2+/AM2 AMD 760G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131376

Which would be a great HTPC system but would not perform as well for gaming.

1) If you're not using it for gaming or any demanding operation other than HTPC I would suggest AMD CPU (cheaper), maybe that Athlon X2 5050e 45W proximon suggested.
2) I don't think that NVIDIA card supports multichannel LPCM, a true HTPC needs at least 5.1 or 7.1 LPCM audio (and a receiver), so I recommend using an AMD video card.

I've owned Antec Sonata cases for my towers for a long time. Although not designed to sit sideways, they have properties which make them quiet: rubber hard drive mounts, large 120mm fan on the back, quiet power supply. The rubber feet at the bottom will no longer provide sound protection, and putting in DVDs will be awkward.

Would it make sense to use a system such as the Sonata 3 as my HTPC enclosure to reduce noise?

Is it too damn much to ask for an HTPC case that's quiet and cool?
I don't care about having any display at the front, and I'm not going to load more than one 5 1/4 drive. I'd like to have fans bigger than 80mm so they don't make a lot of noise!

I'm reconsidering the case right now. I think the Sonata is going to win unless someone can suggest an equally quiet case.

If you consider not using the video cards you already have, and buy a very cheap ATI 4350 and mix it with a low power CPU you can have almost any case you like.

By the way, did you considered what I told you about the 7.1 / 5.1 LPCM audio?

1) Noise levels on antec cases shouldn't be a concern for you, since they are equipped with tricool fans. Those fans have 3 speeds you control manually and the lowest settings are virtually inaudible (but won't give you amazing air flow). That said I wouldn't hesitate on buying that fusion max, even though you can get any cheap case and buy some noiseless fans for far less than 180$

2) I see you're spending good money on good equipment, so I only wanted to tell you that listening to a Blu-Ray on TV speakers is more than a complete waste of money, you can spend about 550-600$ on a more than acceptable receiver, set of speakers and subwoofer and have a completely different experience.

yes, that's correct.
By the way, I don't know how much noise is too much noise for your neighbors, but you can consider buying a simple 5.1 computer speaker set for less than 80$. It's cheap, you can control the volume (they're not too loud anyways) and is a lot better than TV speakers.
On a side note, since you have both cards and won't be using lossless audio capabilities, you can use either on either machine and if you ever change your mind you just have to swap cards and install new drivers.

I left it vauge because I'm not sure yet. I don't get cable and just have a regular antenna I made myself. The reception isn't great in my current apartment. I'm going to move soon and see how TV reception is where I go before I pick up a TV card, and use the HTPC for movies and games until then. I'll definitely take a look at the 2250. Are you using 64-bit?