Ubuntu Internet and movies build

[st8ofmi9d]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 1-3 Weeks
BUDGET RANGE: $700-1000 After Rebates
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Surf the internet, watching movies (hulu, divx, MythTV), remote to work (HOBLink JWT java client), rare and minor 1080p AVHCD video edits
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: mouse, OS
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: makes little difference but I use newegg.com a lot
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
PARTS PREFERENCES: 24" LCD 1920x1200
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Don't think so
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I primarily use Ubuntu but will dual boot to XP and eventually windows 7. I prefer a smallish and quieter computer. I'm most interested in "bang for the buck" but I would consider an SSD for OS and applications (80GB) and an external HD connected to my router for media storage if it would result in a noticeable performance boost.

Thank you!

 

[WR2]

Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz AM3 CPU & Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3 785G HDMI Micro ATX mobo $126 $20 off combo deal
2GB G.SKIL DDR2 800 RAM $45 or 4GB G.SKIL DDR2 800 RAM $85 for Win7
Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB HDD $55
LG 22x DVD burner SATA $28
Antec NSK1380 MicroATX Cube Case 350W PSU $110
or Silverstone Sugo SG02 Case and Corsair 400CX PSU $120 before $30 in available rebates

$365~375 depending on case choice.

The good SSDs don't exactly fall into the "bang for the buck" category but they do show some bang - no doubt about that.
Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2MH080G2C1 2.5" 80GB $290

 

[st8ofmi9d]

Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz AM3 CPU & Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3 785G HDMI Micro ATX mobo $126 $20 off combo deal

Thank you for the reply!

I'm going to skip the SSD and just get a fast drive. Any thoughts on that? I don't have any huge storage needs so something that is the most "bang for the buck" would be where I would land. Speed and quite are more important than amount of storage.

Assuming that I spend a good deal less by staying away from the SSD, would it make sense to get a faster processor? if so, what would be the next one or two steps up?

If I eventually went to a second monitor would I need to add a graphics card or can the on-board handle two screens?

 

[WR2]

That Gigabyte 785G motherboard will handle 2 monitors easily.

There are a couple faster CPUs (or a slightly slower triple core) that you could look at:
Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz / Phenom II X2 550 BE 3.1GHz / Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz
IMO any differences will be almost un-noticeable for your computing tasks.

That Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB HDD is a performance leader as well as being quiet.