How can i Improve my pc.

[Blackmage]

Got some spare cash.(£150) I use my PC as a HTPC/Internet and Counter strike source (rarely)

Samsung 32" LCD TV
Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit
Pentium dual core E2180@3GHz
2GB Patriot Signature 667 + 1GB Corsair Value DDR2 667
Abit IP35-E
Maxtor Diamond Max 10 200GB
Samsung spinpoint 250GB
Abit airpace 54G wireless card
ATI AIWX1800XL
Compro videomate vista T750F
LG DVD-RW

I'm currently using only 70GB of the 450Gb i have but am thinking media center recordings will start to take up more space

This what i had come up with

1. Ram buy another 2GB set
2. BluRay Optical drive
3. 5.1 speakers Logitech Z-5400
4. X-Fi Gamer/music
5. 500GB HDD

Anything i missing? what do you guys think?

[Thorsson]

Buy 4Gb (2x2Gb) faster (800+) RAM and sell the old stuff.

[dangel]

1. you've got 3gb already I doubt you need more (given you use of the PC)
2. assuming the tv is HD this might be good
3. will make a big difference to sound - i really like my logitech THX set. Good for movies.
4. you'd need this for 5.1 i'm guessing?
5. wait and see - you might not need the space. You can always buy one later and they're only going to get cheaper

Personally, I'd upgrade the sound and enjoy movies more

[Blackmage]

1. you've got 3gb already I doubt you need more (given you use of the PC)
2. assuming the tv is HD this might be good
3. will make a big difference to sound - i really like my logitech THX set. Good for movies.
4. you'd need this for 5.1 i'm guessing?
5. wait and see - you might not need the space. You can always buy one later and they're only going to get cheaper

Personally, I'd upgrade the sound and enjoy movies more

Speaker route is looking interesting will at least be able to use it for my dvd collection and xbox360

[Cistron]

I'd opt for a nice surround system as well. I was always annoyed by the cables of my 5.1 system though, so I now have a 'simple' 2.0 system on my desk.

[Biscuit]

could possibly replace the graphics card with a newer ATI 3570 or something along those lines to ulitze better H264 encoding features and such. You would need this for a blu ray drive anyway

As for sound card i really wouldnt bother with an XFI - go for an auzentech or the asus or anything other than creative if you go down that route.

As for speakers, i invested in some tannoy custom F1s and a sony surround amp to go with the two floor standers i already owned. I should soon be getting a centre and a sub.
Building up a hifi is so much better than PC speakers, especially if its for a media centre PC. I would deffo recommend this path