My HTPC Build (LONG) HELP!!!!

[nickelodeonn]

Hello....My name is Evan and this is my first post....AND ALSO MY FIRST BUILD


I am not a computer guy at all, and had never considered doing anything other than buying a computer from dell....

I was in need of a new desktop computer so I started doing a little research....Long story short, after about a month of research I want to build my first HTPC....I may or may not actually BUILD it myself, but I do want to buy the parts on my own so I know what I am getting and putting into my setup.....

I have an existing 22" flat panel monitor (my existing PC is using this) and 42" flatpanel TV....

They are roughly 15' apart

I plan to keep my new HTPC under the TV and have the ability to hide a 15' DVI or VGA wire back to my existing monitor....And run an HDMI wire from the PC to my TV

The functions I am looking for this machine to do are:

I am looking to build something strong enough to perform multiple functions at once, such as using the TV and working at the monitor at the same time ect. I also would like enough space to store movies, music and pictures ect.

On the Monitor:
Standard Internet surfing, moderate word processing, light duty photo and video editing, downloading of music/movies ect.... (nothing the average person wouldnt do on a standard PC)

On the TV and surround sound:

Cable TV, DVR, Blue Ray playing/storage, Windows Media Center use, music playing, Xbox360/PS3 gaming ect.


I have already bought

The HTPC case I wanted from New egg....(the only wood HTPC case available)

ATI TV wonder internal tuner for "cableCARD"


I have spec'd out a few possible combinations for hardware but cant really decide on anything for sure.....thats basically what made me come here....

Here is a sample of what I am looking into buying, please critique/modify/give advice where ever you feel I am going wrong

LOOKING TO BUY:

CPU
Intel Core i5-660 Clarkdale 3.33GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core

Motherboard
Intel BOXDH55HC LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI ATX Intel Motherboard

RAM Memory
Patriot G Series 'Sector 5' Edition 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333

HDD
Western Digital Caviar Green WD20EADS 2TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

Blue Ray Drive
LITE-ON Black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal BD-COMBO

Power Supply
Undecided

Operating System
Windows 7

Does it look like I am missing anything? Where am I going wrong? What do you think?

I havent really considered a budget for this project yet, but something in the $800-$1000 range (not including what I have already bought) seems like where I'll end up


If you wouldnt mind taking to time to help out it would be greatly appreciated


Thanks EVAN

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As I am thinking about it a few questions have come up as well....

I would like to have 2 small speakers back by my desktop monitor...

They would only be used when I am sitting at the monitor...How do I switch between the computer speakers and my home theather speakers?


What would be a better wire to use between the PC and the monitor 15' away? (VGA or DVI)


If I use the ATI Wonder tuner will I only be able to watch/ record one program at a time? I currently use my cable company provided DVR/Cable box and can record/watch up to 2 programs....


These questions are in addition to what I have already posted....

WOW! You are kind of going overboard, a little. I agree, you don't need that much RAM... at all!

Anyways, I'm pretty jealous you have all that money to spend! You won't regret it either; that's going to be a powerful machine. Enjoy it!

 

[elohssa6]

I want this computer to be as UP TO DATE and STRONG as possible(within reason)

It is going to serve multiple functions for me and I want it to be able to handle everything I throw at it for a good amount of time....

The total price for EVERYTHING is gonna run me around $1000 for that setup...


Can anyone help me with selection of TV tuner cd/cards??

I want to be able to record/watch multiple programming at one and dont think the card I bought will allow me to do that, but I dont know

 

[berry120]

The link you posted to that tuner seems a bit confused and doesn't seem to give many details. Because of this I'd assume it only has one tuner - having more than one is a special feature that manufacturers will generally shout about.

If that's the case then you'll need two of those cards to watch and record TV at the same time.

I'd still question the 8GB of RAM - you won't need it or notice it's difference with the tasks you're performing, and if you want more later you can get it (by which time prices will have probably fallen.)

 

[elohssa6]

OK...

I think this tuner allows me to access the "extra" channels that I subscribe to from my cable company, such as movie channels and subscriptions like HBO onDemand....My cable company is going to provide me with a card (similar to whats in my existing DVR cable bow now)....

Is there anyway to split the signal after the "carded" tuner? If I want to record a program with the setup as I have it now I will have to be watching it as it records and nothing else....

Looking to move on this soon.....Any more help would be appreciated