<html><head><style type='text/css'>p { margin: 0; }</style></head><body><div style='font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000'>> On Thursday 04 June 2009 04:39:44 Troy Goodson wrote:<br>> > I'm looking to build my first rig. I want HDMI audio/video and I want<br>> > to be able to play high-bitrate H.264 movies. I plan on hooking this<br>> > up to a 42-inch Panasonic Plasma TV.<br>> ><br>> > I'd really appreciate any extra eyes to give feedback on what I've<br>> > listed, below, particularly because I've never built a PC before and<br>> > may have missed something obvious. I plan on installing MythDora and<br>> > find out just how easy it is :)<br>> ><br>> > Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-E7AUM-DS2H<br>> > $80 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128072<br>> ><br>> > Processor: Intel E8400 Wolfdale Core 2 Duo 3.0 GHz<br>> > $165 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037<br>> ><br>> > Cooler: SilverStone NT07-775<br>> > $27 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835220034<br>> ><br>> > Memory: 2GB, 240-pin DIMM, DDR2 PC2-6400 - CT25664AA800<br>> > $27 http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=525435EDA5CA7304<br>> ><br>> > Capture: PCHDTV HD-5500 x2 (dual tuners)<br>> > $227 http://www.pchdtv.com/hd_5500.html<br>> ><br>> > Drive: Hitachi 1TB Serial-ATA Hard Drive<br>> > $70<br>> > http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10009440&prodli<br>> >st=cj<br>> ><br>> > DVD burner: LG 22X DVD-Writer<br>> > $22 http://www.provantage.com/lg-electronics-gh22ns30~7LGE905C.htm<br>> ><br>> > IR Remote + receiver: Anyware HA-IR01SV<br>> > $22 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880121001<br>> ><br>> > Case: Rosewill R379-SM, PSU 300W<br>> > $55 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147098<br>> ><br>> > Total: $695, probably a little less than that...<br><br>* General comment: Probably overkill.<br><br>* I don't see a video card. Does the motherboard GPU have the umph for the job?<br><br>* As others have mentioned, the processor you list is probably way overkill. With a video card that supports VDPAU you can get away with a much more modest processor. You'll still want some spare power so Myth can work on background jobs while you view video. 4 gb of the fastest supported memory, and a nice fast drive, might be more of a boost than a faster processor.<br><br>Have fun! MythBoxen are neat projects.<br><br></div></body></html>