New HTPC

[gerrod]

Hi all -

I'm trying to put together a HTPC and am wondering if I've chosen the best equipment for the job. I've never put a system together before so am a bit nervous about getting it wrong .

Here's what I'm looking at:

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Case: Antec Fusion Remote HTPC
Power: OCZ StealthXStream 500w

Mobo: MSI M3-F
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E7400
Cooling:
+ Scythe Mini Ninja
+ Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

HDD: 2x500GB WD Caviar, RAID 0
DVD: LG 22x DVD+/-RW

RAM: OCZ Gold 2x2GB DDR2 PC2-8500C5
Video: Asus ATI Radeon HD 4870
Sound: S/B X-Fi Xtreme
=====------------------------------

So my questions are the obvious ones:

1) Will this all fit together?

2) Any suggestions for improvements/substitutions, or any glaring omissions?

3) Any tips for putting it all together - e.g. things to watch out for, etc?

Thanks in advance, all help appreciated!!

/gerrod

 

[gerrod]

Thanks very much for the replies. Jak731: No, I probably won't be gaming on the system, but I *do* want a dedicated graphics card.

So here's the mods I've made then:

- Downgraded the gfx card to a "low profile" 4350 card (thx JonJ678)
- Dropped the sound card (will more than likely be using onboard optical out to an amp instead)
- Changed to a 1TB drive instead of 2x512.

Last question - which motherboard should I go for? The one I had originally selected was using quite an old chipset (G31), plus not sure about onboard audio. Would something like the Asus P5QL EM be better?

Or am I better off going with Jak731's suggestion and going the AMD route instead?

Thanks again for your help!
/gerrod