how much is your budget..... ?? also depends u want it to look good or work good..htpc..u just need a normal dual core processor..as quadcore makes no sense coz the application that will play the bd or hd files are two threaded and will make use of two core capacity as max..
tips :
cabinet cooling is very important as you have to run for long hours..
smps ( cooler master 600)
processor ( core2 duo) else if u want amd based
mobo for nvidia based my suggestion as they got onboard video/hdmi/hdmi out onboard
later on u have option to upgrade video card..
good sound card... for better decoding and clarity..
htpc needs performance but dont waste money just to build a power conf..that u wont be able to use ..
also instead of 1tb hdd go for 2 x500 gig on raid 0 ..
then see the speeds......
i got 3x250 (seagate 7200 rpm barracuda)
also get the cabinet that have front to back airflow at it will be more quiter and efficient..
chk for zebronics bijli( name seems to be cheap but its a nice cabinet )
front blue led lit 120mm fan keeps the system cool..u can attach a xtra fan behind if u want..
also dont for for smaller size cabinets as later on you wud not be able to upgrade the video card as they are big..
HTPC IS FOR HD VIDEO AND AUDIO SO SPEND LESS FOR WHAT IS JUST REQUIRED AND SPEND MORE FOR WHAT CAN MAKE UR EXPERIENCE BETTER... VIDEO CARD.. GO FOR ATI RADEON IF U ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE ONBOARD CARDS..
FOR VIDEO CARDS GO FOR ATI...THEY ARE SURPASSING NVIDIA NETIME..ALSO DONT THINK
THAT I AM GIVING TWO OPTIONS...U CAN USE AN ATI CARD ON NVIDIA MOBO***
\m just suggesting what is good and worth for ur money...
thanks for the suggestions.. give me some more options on the cabinet and cooling solution..
regarding my current config.. I wanted to go with AMD as it is VFM..
1) Processor Phenom II 555 - Potentially unlockable to QuadCore
2) mobo : I read that 785 is the best VFM chipset..but as 785 supports only 1 PCI x16 or ASROCK 785 which has 2 PCI x8 , was tempted to go with 790GX
which has dual PCI x16, but none of 790GX were rated better than 785GX in terms of OC, so was almost final with either ASUS/ASROCK, when i saw the new 890GX which would be futureproof(remember 790GX has been running since 2007) also it has USB3 support and 2 PCI x16
3) I will purchase GPU as I intend to play graphic intensive games..
for now it is 5850 ( If i decide to purchase it after 6 months then maybe 5870) 5xxx series has support to bit stream HD audio (True HD)
4) HDD 500GB- Not finalized, but between WD,Seagate,Samsung
5) Cabinet - Need suggestions
6) RAM - DDR3 not finalized