I'll try to keep this short.
My Uncle has decided to replace his old rear projection big screen TV with one of these. He likes the idea of streaming Netflix to the Vizio as well as my collection of vids on the server. My intent is to convince him he needs a dedicated HTPC. If he goes for it that will give the team another cruncher
Questions:
*Does anyone have an old (preferably non-functional) mono or stereo audio amp? Not a receiver, just an amplifier with a simple face, something like this one? (I have that same amp but mine works ) I want to use the amp case to build the HTPC. Cost for HTPC cases are ridiculously high. Oh, almost forgot, the amp needs to be at least 5.25" H x 17.5" W x 13.25" D.
*With CPU cost/performance being paramount should I go Sandy Bridge, Fusion APU or discrete CPU/GPU setup? Preferably quad core.
More info:
The OS will be Linux.
I will probably use XMBC w/ Aeon Skin for the HTPC app.
I will use my Tuniq PSU for the HTPC having already replaced it with a used OCZ in my server (Blackie).
All other hardware picks depend on CPU cost, of course, but HDD will be 2.5" and I will likely go with Gigabyte for the MB.
Future upgrades (keeping fingers crossed) will include a NAS unit like one of Netgear's ReadyNAS systems.