High End HTPC 2010

This isn't really my definition of a HTPC, but rather a high end gaming PC. This seems like too much power for a HTPC. Also it will be relatively loud as well. Regardless I would not buy a Nvidia card at this time. I recommend a 5850 or 5870 which will surpass the gtx285 in performance.

I'm pretty sure the fan you picked is too big for your case; that case probably doesn't have three HDD cages.
Other than that, it would functionally work, but I have to agree with anonymousdude; its a bit overkill.

Thanks for your comments anonymousdude & pepperman. I forgot to mention the objective of the machine:
1. File/Media server (the machine is going to run 24/7, is cooling is adequate?)
2. HTPC: Watching TV, Download/watch movies, listen to music and surf the net
3. Office work: running Adobe photo shop, AutoCAD... etc.
4. The ability to play the latest games (I am not an extreme gamer tho!)

As for the Fan Yate Loon D12SH-12 (120x120x25mm) this is what is recommended for the Heat Sink i think it'll fit (hopefully)!

Any recommendation to make the machine silent or at least not as loud?
I'll read more into the 5850 or 5870...
Thanks.

I would recommend switching to a p55-based build; tdp drops by 35 W, meaning less heat, and more quiet operation.
I found the case on another site and saw that it has 4 HDD cages, so that part should be fine.
I can guarantee you the heatsink will not fit without heavy modification. The case's height is 6.3" and the heatsink's height is ~6" (keep in mind that mobos+standoffs+both panels>0.3").
Perhaps something like this will work.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

I built an "HTPC" last summer which I intended to use for games on the big screen, playing Blu Ray over a network, and using as a DVR.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Look for quiet graphics cards. I'd personally suggest the Sapphire Vapor-X 5770. It's going to be plenty powerful, have better cooling, and has the HDMI port built in. (I'd still get the Asus HDAV1.3 because it works flawlessly.)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

2. Consider your storage. The 2TB hard drives, are they going to be in RAID 1 or 0? If it's functioning as a storage I'd suggest maybe a third drive and run in RAID 5.

3. Cooling, I don't think the currently selected heatsink will work. However, I've had great success cramming a lot more into a much smaller case and using the Noctua NH-U9B. I overclocked to 4 GHz and it ran without flaw, I backed it down to 3.8 GHz which is plenty performance and it has been running for months without a problem.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Here's what I built, and it even in the smaller case the only complaint is noise while gaming! However, I crammed two XFX 4890 cards in there and a Seasonic 850W PSU.

Thanks guys,

I've updated my setup to include:
Heatsink and Fan: Scythe "KABUTO" 6Heat Pipes CPU Cooler
Video Card: SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100283VXL Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail

Thanks again.... I am planning to start ordering parts next week, any final thoughts?

Still too big.
That heatsink is 157mm in height. The overall height of that case is 6.3" (160.2mm) With case feet, mobo standoffs and height of CPU you lose around another 20-25mm so you only have about ~135-140mm to play with. It looks like the one pepperman suggested would fit. Or maybe hold off on a buying a heatsink until after you build and you know how much room you have to play with.

BUT

Sorry to sound a little harsh here....I'm trying to help! I think you still need to think this out a little better. You listed gaming as #4 since you don't do very much but what you are building here is a gaming machine with all the bells and whistles in a ridiculously expensive HTPC case.
To be honest I would completely ditch that case and realize you are not building an HTPC and get a bigger case like the Antec 900 (I have this case as a server and it is really quiet.....as a server) because #4 on your intended use list is actually #1 with all the components you are choosing.

Also, the Xonar is not needed. You will have all the analog outs and digital (S/PDIF and digital coax) outputs on the mobo and HD bitstream pass with the HD 5770. Which all means, depending on your audio setup, you have 7.1 (8) analog outs for powered speakers, S/PDIF and digital coax for Dolby digital/DTS to a receiver (or to the HD 5770 to tie-in with the HDMI) or if you have a receiver with bluray HD audio (HD Master, True HD) decoding capability then you have the bitsream pass through on the HD 5770 via HDMI. No need for a sound card at all.

Hope this helps and doesn't further confuse.

you are right Supe_ I need to rethink it over and tone down some of the items as am not really a gamer.

Maybe something more along the lines of a i5-750/P55/HD5750 build would be more what you are after. You'll still be able to play games but won't be going overboard when your most common usage is an HTPC.

I would suggest trying to get away from 7200 or 10000 RPM drives in an HTPC as you are going have have one noisy thing setting next to your plasma TV. Maybe you could stuff a NAS in your closet and just run SSD drives in this thing? You seem to have the bucks to throw around.

I have a similar setup but upgraded on the case:

Silverstone CW03 w/ 7 inch full 1080P touch screen

Kurt

If you spend more than $1200 on an HTPC system box, you are wasting good money.

The posted original build goes far beyond "bling" ... Beyond conspicuous consumption ...

It is purely wasteful ...

Next time, say ... "Need a Pro Edit Rig that can game hard and do HTPC".

That would seem a bit less grotesque.

= Alvin =