[Solidify]

OK so I'll leave out the RAID for now and use the drives independently.

This is what I've got so far. Please check it over to ensure compatibility and quality and perhaps suggest me where to save a bit since it's a lot more than I anticipated investing. This doesn't even include the CPU cooler, if I need an aftermarket one, and the case fans.

The links redirect to Canadian retailers because I'm Canadian.

CPU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113335 @ $72.99

CPU Cooler:

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131883 @ $119.99

RAM: http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Ballistix-PC3-14900-240-Pin-BLE2CP4G3D1869DE1TX0/dp/B006YG92GC @ $96.99

Hard Drive(s): [url=SAMSUNG 840 EVO MZ-7TE120BW 2.5" 120GB SATA III TLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)]http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147247[/url] @ $109.99

Additional Storage:

• 2 x 3TB internal SATA HDDs that I already own
  

Video Card:

Case: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163194 @ $143.99 (the only reason I'm considering this is because it can accommodate more internal 3.5" HDDs when I will need to expand)

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=6146992&SID=1ex1uuj18yxoh @ $69.99 (I've been conditionned to only confide in XFX and SeaSonic branded PSUs as reliable)

Optical Drive:

OS: Windows 8 64-bit (I have this already)

• I will be running XBMC with the Aeon Nox skin.
  

Grand total (excluding S&H and taxes): $613.94

I'm open to ALL suggestions. I really want to drop this pricetag down to the $250-350 range.
The HTPC will not be on 24/7. It will only be for watching movies and TV shows that we don't always have/see on our cable subscriptions.

[bluray]

None of your links work. You will be fine without RAID. I have been using my HTPC without RAID for 4 years now, and I have not miss my RAID at all.

If money is tight, you can drop SSD. You can install Windows directly on one of the standard HDD. You will not gain any benefit from SSD for playback Blu-ray file. You can start off with the included CPU cooler. You might not hear the noise from it at your seating area. You don't need video card either....

[Solidify]

sorry for the bad links:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6813131883
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006TB2TT4/ref=...B00H8JVKQO
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6819113335
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6820721106

I just need a reliable PSU that will work when I add this in there plus 3 x 3TB HDDs. And finally, I need a case that can handle 3 x 3.5" HDDs lol

[Solidify]

I'm at $339.55 with these parts (still need the PSU and case):
Still looking to bring the price down abit,

[Solidify]

OK. I couldn't wait any longer haha. I bought the components. Please tell me everything is OK... I'm so excited to build my first HTPC

CPU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6819113335

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6813131883

RAM: http://www.ncix.com/detail/g-skill-ripja...-57952.htm

Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6820721106

Case: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6811163174

PSU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6817151074

[LazerBlue]

That's a good case except it will only hold 3 3.5" drives, and that's if you don't install an optical drive. One 3.5 or two 2.5's mount in the top of the optical tray. That's the same case I used in my parents, but I think you might be able to mount one more if you fabricate something yourself. There is lots of room inside. Also the case does not come with fans. I only added one 80mm fan on my parents build and that worked out fine, but I might do two on yours. There are some nice 80mm fans that move a decent amount of air and are very quite.

[Solidify]

I only have two mechanical drives anyway. And I wasn't planning to put an optical drive, but nice catch.

I'll wait to see if they include fans before buying.

[Solidify]

Also the car does not come with fans. I only added one 80mm fan on my parents build and that worked out fine, but I might do two on yours. There are some nice 80mm fans that move a decent amount of air and are spot quite.

Sorry, I misread your post. Yes, please, can you recommend me the fans I should install for this case?

Also, I have this feeling that I will have forgotten something the day I have to assemble the HTPC. Does XBMC forum have some sort of checklist that I can run through? For example, I know I may need to buy a special remote but I'm holding off on that see how much trouble I have navigating with the TV's remote.

[LazerBlue]

These are what I used in my parents case. I had also used some speaker grill cloth to cover the vents to act as a filter (it is VERY dusty in Florida apparently) so the red doesn't show much. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6835226034

[Solidify]

How many of those did you buy/should I buy?
Where should I install them?
Are they quiet?

How many will my motherboard allow?: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6813131883

Will the stock CPU cooler be enough or will I need to buy an aftermarket cooler? I'd like to make this final Newegg purchase together that's why.

Edit: They show using 4 x 80mm fans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB0IY9v3Hn8

[LazerBlue]

The stock cooler should be fine. Its only a 65W processor. The case can hold 4 fans but I think you should be ok with 2. Your motherboard supports 3 case fans and 1 CPU fan.

[Solidify]

Ok. Bought 2 of them. Thanks for all your help Lazer!

[bluray]

If you install this "Scythe SCBSK-2100 BIG Shuriken 2 Rev. B", it should run very cool and quiet without case fan....

[Solidify]

Hmm i already bought the case fans. If i see temps rise beyond comfort, ill consider.. Its just that at this point ive already spent way more than i wanted to on this build. But if its essential i wont cheap out on the cpu hsf

[bluray]

Hmm i already bought the case fans. If i see temps rise beyond comfort, ill consider.. Its just that at this point ive already spent way more than i wanted to on this build. But if its essential i wont cheap out on the cpu hsf

If AMD fan and case fans produces a lot of noises, you can replace it with a single Scythe SCBSK-2100 BIG Shuriken 2 Rev. B. It will be very silent....