[Busenheimer]

Needs: Smooth PVR function via Myth 0.25 backend, play 1080P mkv BR rips, snappy, relatively quite, small. It needs to be able to be Velcro-ed to the back of a 40" LCD like my ATV 1. All data is served from a server, this is just essentially a front end.

So far I've settled on these - wouldn't mind some critique. I see advice in the stickies for 8GB SSD's, but am unable to find anything under 32GB.

CPU: Celeron G530 $44 @ Amazon http://preview.tinyurl.com/aqmzv9f
GPU: Gigabyte GT210 Low profile fanless $37 @ Amazon http://preview.tinyurl.com/agz7vd4
MOBO: Foxconn H61S $50 @ Amazon http://preview.tinyurl.com/a69rx69
SSD: Corsair 30GB Nova Series II $55 @ Newegg http://preview.tinyurl.com/7qexzur
RAM: 2GB Corsair 1066Mhz DDR3 $12 @ Newegg http://preview.tinyurl.com/aknjkep
OS: Openelec or XBMCbuntu

I'm struggling with finding a case and PSU that is small enough to fit behind a TV. I also am not sure if I need a CPU cooler. Some of the cases I've looked at say fanless. Is there a go to case in this situation? I do not want or need any optical drives.

I've looked at the M350, but do not see a strong enough power supply to go with this.
I've also looked at the Morex 557 Universal mini itx.

What about something like this? It has a 200W power supply http://preview.tinyurl.com/bcjtgby

Thanks, and sorry if these are dumb questions

[RaggSokk3n]

that case will be fine

edit:
you probably won't need the dGPU...

[reltech]

The M350 and Morex 557 would be perfect. I went with the 557 because I liked the appearance better.

For the power supply, I recommend this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/picoPSU-90-12V-7...1042299418

Anything over 90w would be overkill. If you can wait another month or two, Intel will be releasing next gen Celerons including a 35w TDP T model. Expect better integrated graphics as well.

[reltech]

I'm also in the midst of an identical build to yours. See my thread: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=150327

Don't forget the low profile heatsink!

[reltech]

CPU: Celeron G530 $44 @ Amazon http://preview.tinyurl.com/aqmzv9f

Microcenter will beat any Celeron deal if you are lucky enough to live by one. $34.99 for the G550!

[lagledavid]

no hdmi on the motherboard, but since you are getting a gpu you wont need one, if you decide to drop the gpu you will need another motherboard

[Busenheimer]

Hey thanks, with the m350 and the $50 psu plus the low profile CPU fan ($30) that pushes my total build to just under $300. Even leaving off the GPU and swapping the MOBO for the $50 ESC MOBO with HDMI only saves my $30.

Given my needs can I build something cheaper? Maybe a different platform. I'd like to be around $225 USD or so...

[RaggSokk3n]

If you want cheap and performance you'll have to sacrifice a bit on the size...

[Busenheimer]

Are we talking desktop size?

[Busenheimer]

that case will be fine

edit:
you probably won't need the dGPU...

I run MythTV and I didn't think with VAAPI intel HD graphics could decode interlaced h.264 streams yet. Since I'm committed to Linux I was thinking its safer to stay with NVIDIA for graphics.

[Busenheimer]

What about a Foxconn RM3-H2? $90+CPU+GPU+SSD+RAM is $236 shipped! It has a 65w PSU, me thinks that might be pushing it?