[eskro]

Now, if your looking at Powering ON your HTPC from a complete OFF State using a Remote,
this thread Here will suggest you 5 ways to make this feature possible!

Ok. regarding Hard Drives,
i strongly suggest installing your Operating System on-top of a Solid State Drive!!
Its the way to go for me and for many HTPC users!
i know it can be pricey a bit, but benefits are high!
Like blazing fast Boot-up times and overall snappy system responsiveness!
Just think that lowering the CPU or Graphics Card or even Both depending on your needs
will allow you to buy an SSD with the savings!
An 8GB SSD will suffice for XBMC Live (Linux)!
A 30GB SSD will suffice for XBMC on Windows!
I would only go with a 60GB+ SSD if i was an Heavy Gamer or if the price was really good!
So here's examples of frequently bought SSD's!!

[SSD: 32GB] Patriot Torqx2 SATAII 2.5" Trim Read:270MB/s Write:230MB/s ($60 + $0)
[SSD: 64GB] Patriot Torqx2 SATAII 2.5" Trim Read:270MB/s Write:230MB/s ($90 + $0)
[SSD: 64GB] Crucial M4 SATAIII 2.5" Trim Read:415MB/s Write:95MB/s ($90 + $0)
[SSD: 64GB] SAMSUNG 830 SATAIII 2.5" Trim Read:520MB/s Write:160MB/s ($95 + $0)

Note that OpenELEC version of XBMC
is meant to be run from a USB Flash Drive or TF Card..
So which do I recommend for OpenELEC?
[USB 3.0 Flash Drive: 8GB] Patriot PEF8GSBUSB Read:90MB/s ($13 + $0)

Now about RAM,
well, it depends on the XBMC version you plan to run.
This is my suggestion regarding on 'How much RAM do i need for XBMC' ...
*OpenELEC: 1GB (1x1GB)
*XBMCbuntu: 2GB (2x1GB)
*Windows: 4GB (2x2GB)
So here's a list of the best RAM to get in my opinion!!

[RAM: (4GB) 2x2GB DDR3 1066 CL7 1.5V] KINGSTON ValueRAM ($25 + $0)
[RAM: (4GB) 2x2GB DDR3 1333 CL9 1.5V] KINGSTON HyperX Blu ($29 + $0)
[RAM: (4GB) 2x2GB DDR3 1600 CL9 1.5V] KINGSTON HyperX Plug n Play ($39 + $0)
[RAM: (4GB) 2x2GB DDR3 1866 CL11 1.5V] KINGSTON HyperX Plug n Play ($39 + $0)

May I also add these recommendations....

Which Silent Case Fans do I recommend?
[FAN: 80mm] ENERMAX UC-8EB 1500RPM 24CFM 14dBA ($10 + $0)
[FAN: 80mm] SilenX IXP-54-14T 1700RPM 32CFM 14dBA ($10 + $0)
[FAN: 80mm] Enermax UCTB8 1600RPM 28CFM 15dBA ($5 + $7)
[FAN: 120mm] ENERMAX UC-MA12 1500RPM 69CFM 15dBA ($12 + $0)
[FAN: 120mm] SilenX IXP-74-09 800RPM 38CFM 9dBA ($14 + $0)
[FAN: 120mm] Scythe SY1225SL12L 800RPM 40.17CFM 10.70dBA ($14 + $0)
[FAN: 120mm] SilenX EFX-12-15 1400RPM 74CFM 15dBA ($12 + $3)

Which 3rd party CPU Cooler do I recommend?
[CPU Cooler] Scythe SCKZT-1000 TDP:65W Fan:80mm Height:40mm ($40 + $0)
[CPU Cooler] Thermaltake MeORB TDP:65W Fan:92mm Height:47mm ($36 + $0)
[CPU Cooler] Scythe SCBSK-1000 TDP:73W Fan:120mm Height:58mm ($38 + $10)
[CPU Cooler] Scythe SCBSK-2100 TDP:130W Fan:120mm Height:58mm ($50 + $0)
[CPU Cooler] Scythe SCSK-1100 TDP:75W Fan:100mm Height:64mm ($29 + $3)

Which Bluray Reader do I recommend?
[BD-ROM] Samsung SH-B123L Read:12X Access Time:210ms Cache:2MB ($65 + $0)
[BD-ROM] LG UH12LS28K Read:12X Access Time:180ms Cache:4MB ($59 + $0)

Which Bluray Writer do I recommend?
[BD-R] LG WH12LS38K Read:10X Write:12X Access Time:180ms Cache:4MB ($83 + $0)
[BD-R] Pioneer BDR-206DBK Read:8X Write:12X Access Time:170ms Cache:4MB ($92 + $0)

And here's a list of other mini-ITX cases I've seen users purchasing:
[mini-ITX] M350 ($40 + $0)
[mini-ITX] APEX MI-008 (250W Internal PSU included) ($45 + $0)
[mini-ITX] Smartti A9089-QGG (150W Internal PSU included) ($37 + $12)
[mini-ITX] APEX MI-100 (250W Internal PSU included) ($43 + $7)
[mini-ITX] Ark CI02 (90W External PSU included) ($45 + $8)
[mini-ITX] Rosewill RS-MI-01 BK (250W Internal PSU included) ($50 + $7)
[mini-ITX] Cooler Master RC-100-KKP3-GP (150W Internal PSU included) ($65 + $0)
[mini-ITX] Thermaltake Element Q (220W Internal PSU included) ($58 + $7)
[mini-ITX] LIAN LI PC-Q07 ($59 + $10)
[mini-ITX] Antec ISK100 (80W External PSU included) ($70 + $0)
[mini-ITX] Antec ISK110 (80W External PSU included) ($78 + $0)
[mini-ITX] Antec ISK 300-65 (65W External PSU included) ($78 + $0) --> Read Me
[mini-ITX] Antec ISK 310-150 (150W Internal PSU included) ($80 + $0)
[mini-ITX] Antec ISK 300-150 (150W Internal PSU included) ($90 + $0)
[mini-ITX] SilverStone SUGO SG05B (300W Internal PSU included) ($105 + $0)
[mini-ITX] Lian Li PC-Q08B ($110 + $10)

And here's a list of other micro-ATX cases I've seen users purchasing:
[micro-ATX] Silverstone ML03B ($60 + $0)
[micro-ATX] Thermaltake VF6000BNS ($70 + $0)
[micro-ATX] nMediaPC 6000B ($70 + $15)
[micro-ATX] Thermaltake VF6000BWS ($90 + $0)
[micro-ATX] Silverstone GD05B ($90 + $0)
[micro-ATX] Silverstone GD04B ($100 + $0)
[micro-ATX] Antec NSK1480 (350W Internal PSU included) ($97 + $14)
[micro-ATX] Antec NSK2480 (380W Internal PSU included) ($113 + $0)
[micro-ATX] Antec NSK1380 (350W Internal PSU included) ($114 + $0)
[micro-ATX] Silverstone GD06B ($122 + $0)
[micro-ATX] Antec Fusion Remote Black ($149 + $0)
[micro-ATX] Antec Fusion Remote Silver ($149 + $0)
[micro-ATX] Lian Li PC-C37B ($143 + $12)

Wich Wireless Network Adapters do I recommend?
[USB 2.0] Rosewill RNX-N180UBE 300Mbps WPA2 Band:2.4GHz ($20 + $3)
[PCI Express x1] ASUS PCE-N15 300Mbps WPA2 Band:2.4GHz ($30 + $0)
[PCI] TP-LINK TL-WN951N 300Mbps WPA2 Band:2.4GHz ($26 + $0)
[PCI] Linksys WMP600N 300Mbps WPA2 Band:2.4GHz/5GHz ($50 + $0)

Looking for a Fanless PicoPSU for your HTPC?
If so, click Here for some ideas!!

Looking for a IR Remote Control for your HTPC?
If so, click Here for some ideas!!

Looking for a WireLess RF Keyboard to control your HTPC?
If so, click Here for some ideas!!

Finally, your the boss here!!
No matter what you'll buy, you'll have an amazing HTPC experience!

hope this helps!

-eSKRo-