HTPC on a budget

[mat-d-rat]

I'd like a small PC system ro put in my lounge to probably run myHTPC or something. I'm not that bother about looks as I'll probbaly hide the box out the way a bit. What is the minimum kind of spec I should be looking for. Would 1ghz be enough to record/playback tv etc.?

[Theo]

1Ghz should be plenty fine, imo chap... although personally - I'd go for a mATX AMD system.. eg:

Asus A7N266VM-SE
1Ghz Athlon (or so)
512MB Crucial PC2100

There are some nice little mATX cases out there.. Yeong Yang, Casetek etc :>

[5lab]

be a bit noisy, and no real need fo rthat much ram (imo)

[Rexticle]

Any plans to use Linux as the operating system? Someone at SFFTech made a beaut PVR using Linux and open source software.

[5lab]

or.. http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?threadid=4163

[mat-d-rat]

To be honest for the job I want I would see 512 as plenty (mabybe even only 384). I would probably use windows as I am likely to add a Matrix Orbital LCD/VFD screen to it running my LCDC software . 5lab can't see adverts as I don't have a high enough post count

Just followed through one of the Bargin hunt links and see that MicroDirect fo the Shuttle SK41G SktA for £131 which aint bad. Although still needs CPU/mem/hd (And I know the Althons run a tad hot so may need a noisier fan than I wanted to use) - Would a better system be the Shuttle SN41G2 at £175... although its starting to cost me more than I wanted to spend (for a toy)