New computer - built and running

The new computer was a breeze to assemble. With little hardware to install, fitting and routing parts and cables was very easy. Windows 7 install went smooth, and the computer performs very well.

The mobo and cpu run Hulu pretty well. I don't have a blu-ray to test its full 1080p HD performance, but HD Hulu at 720p was fine.

I added a USB wireless dongle (Rosewill RNX-N100), which windows7 recognized immediately and works great between the router in the basement, and the 2nd floor bedroom.

This would be a good setup for a htpc, other than the loud rear case fan and the bright blue led power light. For a little better build, a higher end htpc case would be the way to go.

New Computer Build

My parents needed a newer computer. Their computer was pushing 10 years old. I volunteered to build one for them, and will also use the experience to gauge how a HTPC spec might look.

I went with the following items:

GIGABYTE GA-G41M-ES2H LGA 775 Intel G41 HDMI Micro ATX Intel MotherboardIntel Celeron E3200 Wolfdale 2.4GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core ProcessorRosewill R363-M-BK Black Ultra High Gloss Finished MicroATX Computer Case with 400W ATX 2.2 12V Power Supply