[Solved] Can i Recycle these parts/rig as an HTPC?

Hey everyone, i've been going through the forum thread but i couldn't find a definite answer.

Everyone on the forums are having a go at building a new HTPC

my question is, can i use this rig of mine as a HTPC?

Specs:

Intel E4300 @ stock
Intel DG965RY mobo
Transcend DDR2 2GB 800+
WD 320 GB HDD
HP DVD+/-RW w/litescribe Optical drive
XFX 8600GT Fatal1ty Passive cooled edition (DDR3 256MB)

or if its worth just chucking out of my house?

I'm asking this since my new gaming rig arrives in a few days

Rig:
Asus Maximus III Formula
Intel i5-750
OCZ XMP 4GB DDR3 ram
xfx ati 4850
WD 1TB+2x500GB HDD in raid 0

i'm also open to adding a few parts (soundcard?) if its worth salvaging?

thanks

E4300 and DG965RY, 2GB RAM, 320GB HDD and 8600GT have the makings of decent HTPC.
Just need to be sure you get video to your TV (DVI?) and sound to your audio receiver or speakers.
What audio/video items do you need to have the HTPC-elect work with?

Don't forget a good remote, a wireless keyboard with a trackball/trackpad, and software.

On the software side, there are a lot of freebies. But if you advance to blu-rays then you'll need to spend some money. Don't worry about BD until you get a proper HDTV though.

Cases are a subjective matter. What are you looking for?

Size (low profile, depth)?
Colour?
Do you want it to look like A/V equipment?
Front panel display?
Built-in IR receiver?
Absolute budget?

We actually just use a wireless keyboard/mouse. I haven't bothered with any remotes or interfaces that would use them.

Also, the cooler master elite 360 fits that for a case. I got it pretty cheap at microcenter.

There's also the Thermaltake Mozart VC4001SNS for £102.25

and here's a slim case (check riser card compatibility):
Thermaltake Mozart SX VC7001SNS £99.95

Product not found. And I don't think you'd need a soundcard.

With the LCD iMon displays, there are a lot of threads about people unhappy with the contrast. Read here to see what the problem is. Soundgraph has made available some filters that are supposed to make the display more readable. For sale here. You can see how the filters look on the iMon display and read more about the issue here.

I just thought you should be aware of this if it's a deal-breaker for you.

Edit- Correction, the first cases I linked use an iMon VFD display, only the last case uses the iMon LCD display that some people complain about.

Edit #2 - In this review, you can see what the LCD display on that last case looks like without the filter.

Read the review(must say...awesome guide/test/review), and have checked up on the other sites you've posted...do soundgraph ship to uk or overseas?

I just remembered about a review Tom's carried out, for H55 mobo's

i was wondering if i should splash some cash on a core i3-530, Gigabyte H55M-USB3 with 2 GB of ram(of your choice) * if its needed...otherwise i could use the old parts and spend more on geting HTPC peripherals

SIR!YES SIR!!

relax bro, was just asking. Your name suggests your a member of the KGB interrogation squad...popping up with one line answers.

Sorry, looking into amd for another build.

@ rwpritchett - i dug this forum up and thought i'd share it with you guys
http://www.missingremote.com/index [...] 1.msg20570

i could invest in a reciever/audio/home theatre system. Any thoughts?