Spec check - Media PC

[Mortah]

Hi guys,

Only 18 months since I last built a PC and already I'm out of touch with everything! Bah!

I'm basically wanting to replace my current media PC as it is old and noisy (Athlon 1700+ overclocked by 40% if anyone remembers those batches of chips). The aim with this is something very quiet and low power consumption that can watch my DVDs and also DVDs that I have ripped (my own - I prefer to have all of a series on my box rather than switching DVDs all the time!). I'm not bothered about saving TV programs as general TV is pretty poor.

So... the spec I have come up with is:
Core2 E2140 £42.29
Abit Fatality £68.14
Geil PC2 6400C4 DDR2 £35.24
Antec Fusion Black £113.96
Hitachi Deskstar 500gb £64.61
Pioneer DVR112DBK £17.61

Total £341.85

I am going to put Ubuntu and MythTV on it. I already have a Microsoft Media PC Remote which is working nicely

So... questions:

• Can anyone see a problem with these plans?
• I've neglected a CPU cooler - can someone recommend a quiet one? (Not overclocking)
• Will the Media PC Remote work with Ubuntu/Myth?
• Will the funky volume control on the front of the case work with Ubuntu/Myth?
• Can anyone suggest an improvement? Not playing games on it - I have a 360 and a Wii and a games PC for that

Any help will be much appreciated!

 

[BillytheImpaler]

I'd prefer this:

The CPU there is a placeholder. You should shop around and find an "Energy Efficient" X2 3800+ which OcUK doesn't stock. It's a fantastic CPU that I have in my MythTV box. It dissipates less heat than the Intel.

The stock AMD cooler isn't bad. The Scythe Mini Ninja is also very good and should fit in that case. The remote does work, check out the Myth wiki on how to set up LIRC for it. I don't know if the volume know will work. I imagine it will.