Need some help for Media Center

[Source]

Helloa all,
Need some help with the choice of components for my Media Center.

I already have an Intel Pentium IV - 631 and an Ati X1650Pro-256
I want to build it 'as energy/power efficient as possible'.

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Case:
I'm building my own wooden case that fits / is the same as the bookcase where the TV stands in.
Have some spare Yate Loons that i will use for cooling.
Any suggestions why i shouldn't use wood?

Power Supply:
What PSU is the most efficient as possible, also on lower power consumption?
Will a Corsair VX-450 do? Since it's a Seasonic build and ain't having high-end components? Or is there a more efficient choice?

Motherboard:
Probably make it as big that it will fit a ATX bord, any suggestions on the chipset? (Again, energy consumption, which one to choose?)
I'm leaning towards MSI since i had 6 boards of them, dating from Socket A and never had a problem with any of them.
Any suggestions welcome.
(Was thinking about this (http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=1261&maincat_no=1) one and this (http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=1213&maincat_no=1) one.
Any other suggestions / brands are always welcome :)

CPU:
Already have a Intel PIV 631 Cedar Mill CPU, will this one do?

Memory:
I have no idea how much memory i need, but since most 2x512MB sets are more expensive than 2x1GB i think i go with the last one.
Brands? Was thinking of Corsair.

Graphics card:
Have the ATI X1650Pro-256MB-DDR2 laying around here, should i pop this one in or should i look for something else?

Harddisk:
Suggestions on brands? Was leaning towards Samsung F1.

TV Card:
Which brand is recommended?
Want to record Cable TV on the Harddisk in some nice quality.

Others:
- Have also a soundcard laying around somewhere..
- Samsung (http://www.azerty.nl/producten/zoek/?SPECIFICATIE[236][%2B%3D]=Serial%20ATA&GROEP_ID=595&MERK_ID=387&SORTERING=merk_asc) DVD unit (click, what is the most silent one?)
- What Keyboard is recommended for Media Center use?
- And Remote, which on to buy?


Keeping it Cool & Quiet:

- Is the Artic Accelero S1 (rev.2) or S2 any good? Read some good reviews about them and they seem nice are quite cheap. (and both fit on the X1650Pro)
- Think i stay with the Stock cooler for CPU, if i can find where i put it :p:

Thanks!

[XS Janus]

1st advice: forget about that P4. Its as fast as a Celeron 420 and consumes 3 times as much.

Mobo: Giga or asus with HDMI (m-atx)
CPU: Intel E2xxx or new AMD X2 4850E
RAM: 2GB of generic 800MHz DDR2
HDD: large F1 or WD GreenPower line drive
TV card: doesn't really matter much the are all pretty crappy anyway. Dual DVB-T card would be my choice.
GFX: those mobos have integrated graphics so you can see how that works out first.
PSU: go with PicoPSU if you want the best other than that the one you mentioned will bee MORE than enough
If you to ^that you will have about 50W idle max

[Source]

The TV don't have HDMI so don't need it for now.
Will that X1650Pro do? Than i use that one and upgrade to cheap VGA card with HDMI support at the time we get an TV with HDMI.

And about the TV card,
Which one should i choose, i want to be able to record the current show that i watch and if possible;
Record other programs at the time i watch another channel.


The Intel E2180 then?

[XS Janus]

It will do as much as an integrated one, picture wise I mean. You don't need and 3D. Power consumption will be way higher with an extra Ati card.

Cpu will be enough.

As for HDMI issue. I would rather get one than not. Cause you will have input sooner than later, resale will be better and there is a normal VGA on the board as well so you are not loosing anything.

I bought AverMedia card cause it looked good on paper with good features double DVB-T and mpeg4 recording.
http://www.vemil.hr/opis.aspx?prikaziTemplate=0&Sifra=1730049
It is great hardware part that is. Software is CRAP. Don't even think about using anything other than Win MC if you want to save your nerves.
But the same thing is with other as well. Price and brand can't be your guides here. All have bad software, poor updates, and bad support.
Microsoft at least has more than 2 people developing MC continuously.
Just look for that it is digital and that it has 2xDVB-T (digital) tuners.
That way you can watch one while recording a different program

[Lloyd]

MOTHERBOARD: I'd go with the first one that u suggest as it said it has a ICH9R chipset rather than the ICH9 (no RAID afaik)
Or i was looking at mATX mobos for a media centre pc and i was gonna buy a
Asus P5E-VM HDMI Intel G35 Micro-ATX as it has HDMI and i was gonna connect to a hdmi tv

GFX: Yeah that will be fine mate

RAM: I always go with Corsair

HARD DRIVE: Defo Samsung F1's (bear in mind u won't beable to boot from a RAID array of 2TB)

TV CARD: GDI Black Gold are the absolute best u can get
http://shop.blackgold.tv/
I'm getting this one....
http://shop.blackgold.tv/product/3522

PSU: My 600 & 700 watt Seasonics are very quiet, but then so is the 450(?) Enermax i got for a mate. So i'd go for a seasonic or corsair