Hi all,

I have been recently looking into building an HTPC. I want to build it from some old computer parts that I have. Nothing too fancy, no HD (maybe in a later, new build), but I am hoping to use this computer to play the many ripped DVD's that I have and probably use it as a TV playback and DVR device. Like I said before I have some old parts as listed below:

P4 1.8Ghz
350watt PSU
ATI 9700 all-in-wonder
Aopen motherboard (ATX)
200GB ATA hard Drive

I am looking into buying a DVD drive as well as a case

Suggestions? I also have an AMD XP3200+ with an ASUS motherboard that I could use, but since this is going to be a pretty basic HTPC I wasn't thinking I would need much CPU power.

It will work for DVD and DivX (XviD) playback. However, I would opt for the Athlon XP 3200+.

I will assume the PC will be somewhat loud because of the PSU and the AIW 9700.

Also, don't even bother with HD video since the CPU and GPU are both too week to handle it.

Cool I was thinking that would be the case. Yeah no HD as of now because I don't really have HD content as I am a college student so both time and money is scarce for me. This is like a computer for weekend movies and what not. I never really had a noise issue with the AIW but maybe that was because I had a case with 5 80mm fans at the time and now I have 4 120mm which makes a huge sound difference.

Oh by the way any suggestions as to a good HTPC case without buying a new motherboard?

Considering that you are a college student and assuming you want an HTPC style case I guess I would recommend the Athenatech Black Aluminum Face Plate / Steel Chassis A3701BB ATX Media Center.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811190087

Certainly not the best, but it should be within a college student's budget. Plenty of internal drive bays. The dual 80mm fans means decent airflow, but shouldn't be too loud. The larger the fan the slower it needs to spin to move the same amount of air as a smaller fan. Of course some 80mm fans are louder than others.

The case is also tall so you can install one of the larger heatsinks later should you decide to upgrade to better parts after you land your first job.