New HTPC Build

[Silver47]

Ok, I built my current HTPC over 3 years ago on a tight budget.
Its specs are:

• Intel E2180 2.0Ghz
• 2GB DDR2
• Gigabyte P31 DS3 Mobo
• Nvidia 8500GT
• Nova 500-T Duel tuner card
• WD 160GB HDD
• WD 250GB HDD
• LG Bluray Drive

And all stuffed into a Gigiabyte ATX case

Anyway, at the moment the case is lying on its side as it hasnt much room so started thinking about moving it into a Micro ATX case and seeing as I would have to change the Mobo I might as well change everything else .

Was thinking of using the Antec NSK 2480 http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=MTE0Nw== and use an AMD Althon II 245e processor and a MATX mobo with a 880G chipset to match along with either 2-4GB of Ram to go with.

But AMD's Zacate has thrown a wench in my plans as a possible alternative.
Seeing as my HTPCs duties are really

• watching Blurays and 720p MKV files
• watching/recording TV
• listening/ripping music
• web browsing

Zacate should be easily enough for it plus its low power and passively cooled and has better graphics but lacks the only advantage I can see the Althon II 245e provides in terms of CPU power.

Just torn between both of them and just unsure whether the loss in CPU would be a big loss to me and just want some advice in deciding

 

[vanandjuanunited]

Zacate should be more than adequate.
Waiting for its release to replace my i3 setup