Thread: Best config for a media center?

so i'm thinking building custom system server/media center. want play hd videos lcd out flinching. (i tried old tower of mine , keep crashing). , want simple samba/ftp transfer laptops. nothing extreme on server part focus video.

anyway ive never built syestem ground , im kinda overwhelmed , have no clue start. thought cpu/mother board ideal or mayb should start @ graphics card? thinking maybe i5 or core 2 dou. wanna stay around $500. have optical drives , stuff need cpu, board, ram , gonna try use old case.

can point me in right direction here config be? , if im high thinking i'm gonna stay under $500 haha.

thanks!

hardware:

cpu: amd athlon x2 250

mobo: gigabyte 890gpt-ud3h atx

ram: 4gb kingston value ram kit

gpu: onboard (this should work)

sound: onboard

psu: antec earthwatts 550

can use ubuntu 64-bit , use mediatomb shuffle files across. system has grunt play 1080p .mkv's. other bits case can choose. not 100% sure gpu in terms of acceleration (any other suggestions ?), rest fine.

Forum The Ubuntu Forum Community Ubuntu Official Flavours Support Multimedia Software [ubuntu] Best config for a media center?

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