Proposed Best TIVO-like Media Center PC System

Hello,

Below is the system that I am thinking of building which I have spent hours upon hours researching trying to build the best multimedia entertainment system when weighing functionality and price. It will be the first system that I build and any hints on building a system or weblinks to how to build a system will be appreciated. My main info on building a multimedia system is from MaximumPC's December issue and their weblink on how to build systems. I would appreciate any input regarding compatibility issues, installation, selection of components.
I picked different component's than MaximumPC because newer/better components are now available in my opinion.

My needs are a system that will:
1. Act as TIVO multimedia center(I plan on using Snapstream software)
2. System needs to be able to run fast enough that it can run about 6 browser windows and a word processor at the same time in addition to another application(snapstream) along with IM chat.
3. Should be able to run all software coming out in the next 3 years. Desire a system that will be useful for 3-4 years(meaning not painfully slow because the software at that point in time requires certain hardware).

Outline of the system and why I chose it are below. Basically, I chose:

1. CASE: Shuttle XPC Barebone System for Socket 754 AMD Athlon 64 CPU, Model SN85G4
Reason: Shuttle is known to make quiet systems and I don't need a ATX case. Also, preliminary reviews of this case are good. If you know of any negatives, please let me know

2. PROCESSOR: AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache, 64-bit Processor . I chose this processor as I would like to be able to run 64bit software when it comes out though I do wonder when there will be plenty of 64-bit apps to use. I chose this processor to allow me to run future software that will be written in the next 3-4 years as after that I will retire this system and it will become a dedicated entertainment center and rarely used for other functions.

3. RAM: Kingston Hyperx Series 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-4000. I believe that this is the RAM highlighted in the MaximumPC Nov article that was highly overclockable. I am not sure if I will overclock yet I would appreciate any input on this RAM.

4. HARDDRIVE: Maxtor 250GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model 7Y250M0. I have tried to find out if this drive has Fluid Dynamic Bearings(FDB). I believe it does and believe it was the one recently rated on Tomshardware in Nov along the Hitachi/WD drives (http://www.tomshardware.com/storage/200311141/index.htm...). I didn't choose the Hitachi as it is close to $80 more and the Hitachi Min/Data transfer rates(important for video/audio transfer) was lower than the Maxtor and WD. I didn't choose the WD because it doesn't have FDB despite being $20 cheaper than the Maxtor and having slightly higher Min/Data transfer rates. Can someone confirm that this Maxtor drive has FDB as I checked the website and the areas I checked didn't mention it or maybe I am confusing model numbers. I just called Maxtor and they said that the Y in the model number indicated FDB even though the data sheet on their website does not mention it. http://www.maxtor.com/en/documentation/data_sheets/maxl...

5. DVD/CD: Plextor 8X DVD-RW/+RW Drive, Model PX-708A/SW . I chose this because of SPEED SPEED SPEED and the price differential was not that great for upgrading to this model. I don't want to wait minutes longer to copy stuff.

6. VIDEO CARD: ATI AIW RADEON 9600PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR I would have chose the 64MB model yet I don't think it is currently available. I don't play video games at all and I don't need to pay for the 128MB> For video purposes, I chose this card over the 9800 due to price and the 9600 has the tivo like features for FM radio. I chose this card over other TV Tuner cards due to the translucent feature allowing me to watch TV while computing on the same screen. Haven't seen this feature demonstrated so I don't know how well it works in the real world.

7. SoundCard: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro PCI Sound Card. This last item I haven't researched heavily and simply took MaximumPCs suggestion and Tomshardware uses this card in their evaluation of speakers. If I get a sound card right now then I want it to be 7.1 because I want would like to invest in such a sound system in the future. I may just wait on a sound card as my intended use for the next 3-6 months is to simply use the sound from the tv or my monitor speakers since this will be mostly of bedroom use until I build an entertainment system. Does anyone know how to broadcast video signals wirelessly to from my PC in another room to my TV in the living room? I can wait to purchase as prices fall and technology changes. Also, I want to find to choose a card that works well with voice recognition software and not sure if this card does that yet as I need to check out the forums on Naturally Speaking's website.


Thanks for any input on the selection of components that I have made as I may not have considered all factors. In addition, input on building or things to be concerned about please let me know. Is there anything else that I need to buy to build it besides basic tools, anti-static wrist strap and gel/pad to adhere processor? Any suggestions on adhering the processor as I don't want to fry it?
Thanks.