Mediacenter PC

[ohwell78]

 

[ohwell78]

I am wanting to build a media center pc. Mostly for MP3 playback, mpegs, and video games. Sound is important to me in that I want true dolby digital using an optical output so im considering the ASUS A7N8X-E motherboard with sound storm. If I go with that mobo ill use a athlon xp 2500 m processor. I can get the pair for 150 or so. Ill put in a 300 GB hardrive, dvd rom, and use an older video card i have lying around since video will be ran through my tv anyway.

The case is the part thats bugging me. There are several Micro atx cases that would fit into my media center, however im not finidng any full atx cases, at least in my limited budget. If i could find a micro atx board with soundstorm, or a better media center case for full atx it would be great.

Any advice or recomendations would be appreciated.

 

[ohwell78]

Also i have been looking for a new gamepad thats more responsive than my old sidewinder pad. Any suggestions?

 

[rise]

whats your case budget?

btw, the edit button works

 

[ohwell78]

Id like to keep the whole thing under 500, and the parts i have are at 300 now. If i can keep it lower i might upgrade the ram, or maybe a bigger hardrive.

 

[vapore0n]

www.pcalchemy.com

htcp (home theater PC) cases are expensive.

 

[HombrePequeno]

The Antec Overture II is one of the cheaper HTPC cases. It runs for $105 at Newegg.com. It supports full ATX as well. Unlike the first Overture case, this one has pretty decent cooling.

The Antec Minuet is even cheaper but that doesn't support full ATX.