[Solved] $500+ Media Server / Workstation

Please bare with me...I'm new to these parts...

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: In the next few weeks

BUDGET RANGE: $500ish (not necessarily including OS)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Act as a media library/server, Downloading audio/video, surfing the net, some light photo and video editing, some web dev work, recording a bit of guitar music (POD Studio GX is taking the place of my old cassette 4-track recorder) and maybe a bit of gaming although most of that is done on the Xbox 360. The 360 also acts as my media extender to my television.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers, optical drives

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, Comp. Geeks, Tiger Direct

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA / Illinois

PARTS PREFERENCES: I would prefer to run Windows 7 and have a mid-tower case. No bling...

OVERCLOCKING: Not likely but I'm open to tinkering

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1024

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: For the last 6 years I've been using a Dell Dimension 4600i (Intel P4 CPU 2.80GHz Socket 478 / Nvidia GeForces 6800 GS/XT video card) and it's finally come to the point where it's no longer serving my needs or upgradable. To run the PlayOn media server alone I really need a dual-core CPU. I've been looking at machines on Dell's site but I keep feeling like I could build a cleaner, more powerful machine at a lower price point that would allow for more upgrades over time. Heck the only things I'll be able to pull out of the Dell are the optical drives and the HDDs. I've swapped out a number of HDDs and video cards over the years but I've never assembled a system from scratch but I'm confident I can do it if it nets me a better machine than I could buy at this price point. I would like a fairly quiet PC since I tend to leave it on 24x7 and listen to a fair amount of music while on the machine.

Any direction at all is a blessing...heck you can tell me if I'd be better off going back to Dell and picking up a refurbished machine.

Thanks,
Craig

how about this build,
case+mb combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.285335 at $109.98 after discounts and mir
gpu+psu combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.292676 at $89.98 after mir and discounts
cpu+mem combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.280156 at $184.99 after discount
hd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152185 at $84.99
total at $469.94.
about the quite, I don't think that will be noisy, but if it is, then try and ask someone else, not sure how I can help you in that department.
if you think you need more cpu power, you can get this x2 720 and mem combo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.280108 which is $219.99 after discount, so your new total is $504.94

If you are serious about acoustics, there are cases available that have built in sound-deadening material such as:

Cooler Master Sileo ($50):

AcoustiCase SoundMaster 360 ($150):

The former is a good deal, but the latter is rather pricey. You can also add sound dampening material separately, or just get quiet PC components to begin with.

Man...you fellows are really masters of the computer building arts.

I notice the motherboards listed have one PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot. I believe this eliminates SLI, correct? Should I care?

What do I miss out on without crossfire? Do I damn the system to earlier obsolescence?

huh? I don't follow?

Since you said you already had optical drives, no, you aren't missing anything. All the cables you'll need will be with the mobo, and the case should come with screws. All you'll need is yourself and a screwdriver.

You can use either 32 or 64. I'd actually recommend 64 if you have access to it since you have 4 GB of ram.

where I live, a system like that costs about 150$ more then in the states.
build looks good, good luck