HTPC on the super cheap!!

[rexh]

I built a PC with the help of this forum last year, my system was basically the recomended budget build with a few tweaks. A year later, the system has been rock solid and I could not be happier with the computer. Now I am planning a new project. I want a HTPC to stream hulu and Boxee to my flat panel TV, and serve as a platform to run squeezebox server. My goal for this build is to spend very little cash, have a PC that can stream HD video, consume very little energy and run or be on stand-by 24-7. I plan on using Ubuntu or Mythbuntu as the OS. I have been using Ubuntu on an old laptop for while and I am pretty comfortable with it. I plan on loading the OS with a thumb drive and perhaps buying a Blu-ray optical drive sometime in the future. I have a 80 gig 2.5 inch sata drive that I bought on a whim as a New Egg shell shocker deal for 20 bucks and never really had a use for. I will pick up an adapter kit for it at Frye's. Here is the rest of the build:

Ram: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

CPU: AMD Sempron 140 Sargas 2.7GHz Socket AM3 45W Single-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103698

motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2\
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128394

case: hec Black 0.7mm Thickness SECC 7K09 Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case with a 270 watt PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121027

Total cost with shipping and not including the drive adapters and the cost of the HDD is $197.96. The CPU is a single core and if does not meet my needs I can upgrade with no problem and count the $32 as a lesson learned.

[rexh]

I ordered the parts late Sunday and they were at my house Thursday afternoon. The computer went together very well, the case is a much higher quality unit than I thought it would be for $54. I installed the OS with a thumb drive as planned and negated the need for an optical drive. I downloaded an ipod app called Hippo Pro remote to serve as the wireless touchpad, keypad and remote once the intial setup was completed. I was amazed at how well the app works, it has multiple "profiles" which allow you to change the remote based on the program you are using such as Hulu desktop, Boxee, Firefox, ect... So no need for a wireless keyboard or airmouse. Saving the 100+ dollars by going with Ubuntu vs Windows has been worth it so far, I think Linux will work out great for a HTPC.

[The Wise Monkey]

Congrats - glad everything went smoothly!