Opinion on new build

Hey all,
just wondering if anyone could give some feedback on a system I am looking to build. Any comments are appreciated!

Mobo: AKONii P4N7050l Socket 775 (Barebone Kit)
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core E2200 2.2GHz Retail CPU, 2GB DDR2-667,
RAM 2Gb PC DDR2 PC 5400 (upgradable to 4Gb)
PSU: The case comes with a 300Watt, but I anticipate needing to upgrade, I haven't calculate to what yet
HDD: 2x Seagate Barracuda - 500GB, 7200, 16MB, SATA-300,
Optical: LG Super Multi Blu-Ray/HD DVD-Rom Drive OEM - 6x BD-ROM, 6xBD-R, BD-RE 2x, 3x HD DVD ROM,16 x DVD-ROM, 12x DVD-R, SATA
Video Card: BFG GeForce 9800 GT Video Card - 512MB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0, (2) Dual Link DVI, HDTV, VGA
TV Tuner: Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1600 ATSC/Digital/Analog TV Tuner PCI Card
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Media Center
Sound Card: Sabrent SBT-SP6C 6-Channel 5.1 Surround Sound 3D PCI Sound Card
Case Fan: Vantec SF8025L Stealth 80mm Cooling Fan - Double Ball Bearing, Silent

The purpose of this computer is to be a media center in my living room. It will be replacing my TV, DVD, VCR, (i will buy an LCD and 5.1 Surround Sound speakers). I was to be able to record TV while watching another channel. Am I missing anything? Do I need to go better on anything? Am I going overboard on anything?

Thx for the help, much appreciated!
*EQL*

 

Never heard of AKONii before. They sound cheap & nasty to me.You might do well to get a better one, like an ASUS or Gigabyte.

 

Thanks Collins!... what do you think of this MoBo?,
I have further refined my system to make it under 1000$ CAD:

Case: Apevia X-Master Desktop HTPC Case - Front USB, Firewire, Audio ports with 500-Watt Power Supply, (Black)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 Processor BX80580Q8200 - 2.33GHz, 4MB Cache, 1333MHz FSB, Quad Core, Retail, Socket 775, Processor with Fan
MoBo: Intel DG43NB Motherboard - Intel G43 Chipset, Socket 775, SATA, Intel GMA X4500
TV Tuner: Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1600 ATSC/Digital/Analog TV Tuner PCI Card
Optical: LG GH22NS30 Internal 22x SATA Super-Multi SecurDisc Drive - 22x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 12x DVD-RAM, 16x DVD-ROM, 48x CD-R, 32x CD-RW
O/S: Microsoft Windows XP Home SP2 OEM Version
Sound Card: Sabrent SBT-SP6C 6-Channel 5.1 Surround Sound 3D PCI Sound Card - Vista Ready
RAM: Patriot Dual Channel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB)
HDD: 2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS Hard Drive - 500GB, 7200, 16MB, SATA-300, OEM
Case Fans: 2x Vantec SF8025L Stealth 80mm Cooling Fan - Double Ball Bearing, Silent


Some of the things I changed are from a barebones unit to a seperate case/mobo/CPU, no more Blu-Ray, wireless card from the old desktop, got a MoBo that meant i would no longer need a seperate Video Card (we don't game, just watch DVDs).
The plan is to also get an LCD, wireless keyboard with attached trackball, and surround sound speakers.

 

it has always been my personal experience in the past that video cards are better than onboard video, im not sure this plays a role in watching dvds though

And honestly Blu-ray is soooooooooo sexxy i would reccommend it if you dont have a player already.

 

well.. i figure that a video card can always be added later, right? and since i dont have an HD LCD, nor do we have Blu-Ray yet, i figure i'll just make sure that I have the option to upgrade down the road when these things are a little cheaper.
Thanks for the input,
*EQL*

 

This sound card may provide better quality sound for less: http://www.pricebat.ca/Creative-Sou...udio-24BIT-Sound-Card-7-1-PCI-OEM.p_10056298/

 

Ah my apologies did not know you did not have that stuff yet!! but yes those can absolutely be added at a later date

 

Thanks! Yes.. it does look quite good, however, the sound card i'm getting is only 14$... not too sure on the quality, but the reviews seem to be good.
thanks
*EQL*

 

Haha, no worries. I'm building this for a friend.. who currently only has a 13" TV/VCR combo(!) so I don't think they are quite ready for HD yet, lol.

What do you think about the rest of the (updated) system? Am I going overboard on anything, or need to go higher on something?

Thanks!

 

Well, if you can afford the extra $ then the sound quality for this PC will be almost unbeatable.

Just a quick FYI, OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. As you are building the PC, or even if you are only installing hardware into a prebuilt system, you qualify for this. No extra proof of anything is required.

The deal with OEM is that it is a lot cheaper than standard, or "retail boxed" hardware/software. This includes operating systems, so have a look around for XP Media Centre OEM, and it should be a lot cheaper than the retail version.

 

I didn't know you could get OS as OEM.. hmmm.. sounds interesting... any idea what the cost difference is?

 

About £89 for XP media centre OEM to £250 retail.

 

Ahhh.. sounds like what I'm getting is OEM; it's only 121$CAD

thanks!
*EQL*