Need advice on gaming/HTPC build

[Guest]

I'm looking to build a home entertainment & light gaming rig in the next month and could use some advice. It'll be used mostly for downloaded video and blu-ray movies with some light gaming - so leaning towards a quiet (ideally passive GPU) set-up with an entertainment center friendly case.

Here's the deets:
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Next 4 weeks

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Blu-Ray, Movies (DVD/AVI/DIVX), Gaming, Music, Internet.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: None

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel

OVERCLOCKING: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 Samsung Full HD 46in Widescreen TV

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Must be as quiet as possible and have at least 5.1 digital out

BUDGET: <$1000

 

[WR2]

Can you be more specific about 'light gaming'? 1920x1080 pixels in 3D gaming is a LOT of work for a fanless GPU.

Antec Fusion Remote Max HTPC case w/ remote $174 / case review
Be sure to check the size of the case vs where you'll have it set up.
Corsair 450VX PSU $50 a/r

Pentium E6300 Wolfdale 2.8GHz CPU $84
GIGABYTE GA-G41M-ES2H G41 HDMI Motherboard $65
4GB G.SKILL DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) RAM $80
SAMSUNG F3 1TB HDD $80
LG Blu-ray Reader & DVD Burner $115
GTS 250 video card $135

Logitech Pro 2000 Wireless Keyboard $30
Logitech Cordless Optical Trackball $50

 

[WR2]

And a copy of Windows 7 $110
A sound card for the 5.1 requirement Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 $25

That's right around your $1000 budget.

 

[taso11]

Here's a good place to start reading and see proven recommendations: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940972&page=85

 

[thently]

Well I have 2 HTPC one on a projector one on a 50 inch Plasma 1080P and such. One thing to think on is that the ATI 4xxx and 5xxx have 7.1 built into the video card through HDMI which means you will not have to buy a sound card. I have the 4350 works great and will play blue ray at 1080p no gaming though I have another PC for that. I would say 4850 or 4870 going for $124 Newegg . The 4870 will play games for quite some time at that res.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150441&cm_re=4870-_-14-150-441-_-Product