Advice on a cheap "sling catcher"

[Character Zero]

I just recently got the Sling Adapter for my Dish receiver. This allows me to sling HD content from my DVR anywhere in my house provided I have a computer to handle it. Dish recommends a 2.6 Ghz Core 2 Duo processor for watching the HD stream. I have tried a 1.73 Ghz C2D and it just couldn't keep up. My office computer with a 2.93 C2D works flawlessly, but it is confined to one room. I want to build a small HTPC-like PC that I can use in the bedroom to catch the HD slung feed. The space requirements are a space that you would put a DVD player in 18"x18"x8". I found that AMD processors are a bit cheaper, but I am not sure on the equivalency to C2D processors. I don't think that GPU factors into the video processing, just raw power. I have a Hard Drive I can use, but here is the rest I found:

AMD Athlon II X3 445 Rana 3.1GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX445WFGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16819103872
73.99

BIOSTAR TA880GB+ AM3 AMD 880G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813138197
59.99

Rosewill R379-M Black/ Silver 0.8mm SGCC Steel Slim MicroATX Computer Case with ATX12V Flex 300W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811147098
49.99

GeIL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model GV34GB1066C7DC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820144262
48.99

Total : 232.96

I would like to keep it around $250 if possible. What I am not sure about it the cooler. The Processor comes with heatsink and fan, but do I need something better? What would fit in that case.

The processors has the ability to maybe unlock a 4th core, and the Motherboard can unlock it. But with 3 cores at 3.1 Ghz, I think that should perform like a 3.0 Ghz C2D?

Sorry for the length, any recommendations? I haven't built a system in 10 years, so I am a bit out of touch with these smaller builds.

 

[gkay09]

The X3 is a very good CPU and the 880G chipset onboard is powerful enough for even 1080p...
Get this RAM + CPU combo - Saves $5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.556244

 

[Character Zero]

Wow thanks for the link. Any advice on a heatsink+fan or will the stock HS+F work with this case?

 

[gkay09]

^ The stock HSF is good enough for stock speeds and they are generally low profile so shouldnt be a problem with the case...

 

[Character Zero]

Excellent! Thanks for your replies.

 

[gkay09]

And check this combo - Gets you a DVD Burner for $7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.541900

 

[Character Zero]

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