Building HTPC to play MKV files - please review

[fooit]

I want to build an HTPC that will play 720p and 1080p MKV files.
Below is my list of components - kindly review and comment.
The prices are from DirectCanada.com

Case - Nmedia HTPC-1000B Desktop Media Centre Case mATX Black 1X5.25 4X3.5INT Card Reader No PS
$124.20

PS - Coolermaster Extreme Power 500W ATX 12V V2.01 Silent Power Supply 20/24PIN 120MM Fan
$39.96

Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H AMD 780G mATX AM2+ PCI-EX SATA RAID Video Sound GLAN 1394 HDMI Motherboard
$83.91

CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4850E Dual Core Processor Socket AM2 2.5GHZ 2X512KB 65NM 45W Retail Box
$80.41

CPU Cooler - Scythe Mini Ninja Heatpipe Fanless Heatsink AM2 LGA775 S478 S754 S939 80MM 2300RPM 32.2CFM 24.2DBA
$36.99

RAM - Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X2048-6400C4 2GB 2X1GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 Cl 4-4-4-12 240PIN Dual Channel Memory
$63.00 ($30.00 CAD Mail in Rebate for this item)

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 3.5IN 500GB SATA2 8.5MS 7200RPM 32MB Cache Ncq Hard Drive Oem
$69.88

I haven't decided yet how do control it using my Harmony 880.
Ideas are very welcome!

Thanks in advance!

[zod]

that processor is it a dualcore or a dual dualcore?

If its only a dualcore @ 2.5ghz you might be pushing it to do 1080p mkv's. If its got two dualcores on the board, then you'd be ok. I couldn't really tell from the description.

[lindmar]

Just buy a popcorn hour

[fooit]

Just buy a popcorn hour

Well, it's not really available and I really doubt it can outperform an HTPC.
I am also quite sure when it hits the market we'll know more of its limitations...

[terrybear]

looks like you've picked all the right parts

gj !!

[willy]

that processor is it a dualcore or a dual dualcore?

If its only a dualcore @ 2.5ghz you might be pushing it to do 1080p mkv's. If its got two dualcores on the board, then you'd be ok. I couldn't really tell from the description.

I think you are a little confused

[ppl4golf]

This is the best budget all-in-one mobo that performs pretty well.

I won't waste any money on 3rd party heatsink...I pulled a stock HSF for my Black 5000+ and it runs absolutely fine - cool and quiet.

[Amar]

hey where are you purchasing these parts from. im looking to build something similar to connect to my tv. thanks for your help.

[yao416]

I got a HTPC and only have 500GB, which isn't enough!

I would suggest putting another 500GB

[infamouskid]

I got a HTPC and only have 500GB, which isn't enough!

I would suggest putting another 500GB

yup. raid those suckers.

[fooit]

hey where are you purchasing these parts from. im looking to build something similar to connect to my tv. thanks for your help.

The prices are from DirectCanada.com.

[fooit]

I got a HTPC and only have 500GB, which isn't enough!

I would suggest putting another 500GB

No need for more HDDs, I missed SSD HDD sale today, Patriot 32GB SATA2 SSD HDD was for $99 at NCIX.
All media files are stored in the basement on loud ugly server with 1.5TB of space, there will be no problem playing them over Gigabit network.

[pitz]

2.5GHz is plenty fast for full 1080p playback....

No problems there, whatsoever..

[xwar]

looks good to me.

[ShadowVlican]

I got a HTPC and only have 500GB, which isn't enough!

I would suggest putting another 500GB

No need for more HDDs, I missed SSD HDD sale today, Patriot 32GB SATA2 SSD HDD was for $99 at NCIX.
All media files are stored in the basement on loud ugly server with 1.5TB of space, there will be no problem playing them over Gigabit network.

then you can use a super quiet HDD for your HTPC (maybe a 2.5" drive in a 3.5" bracket)

i believe that SSD isn't very reliable yet...

2.5GHz is plenty fast for full 1080p playback....

No problems there, whatsoever..

are you sure? you can always test it with apple's 1080P h264 trailers