CASE: nMEDIAPC HTPC 288BA
PSU: Antec True Power Trio TP3-550
MOTHERBOARD: ASUS M2NPV-VM
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3800+
RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 512MB
CPU HEATSINK:
NORTHBRIDGE HEATSINK:
CD/DVD-RW: Asus Model DRW-1612BL-BK
HDD: WD3200JB 320GB
GRAPHICS CARD: on board NVIDIA GeForce 6150
SOUNDCARD: on board ADI AD1986A
TUNER CARD: PVR-500MCE + PVR 150MCE
REMOTE CONTROL: Remote that comes with the PVR-150MCE

Here's the hardware I just purchased to set up my new HTPC. Does anyone see any potential hurdles or problems that may need to be avoided.

I won't be able to get HDTV for a while, however I think there's a little yoo to upgrade later on.

Double check reviews on that case for noise level and heat build up. A number of so called "HTPC" cases have a problem with the tradeoffs here.

For SDTV 512Mbh is plenty, but for a box which you might upgrade to HDTV later 1Gb of RAM is recommended if not actually necessary.

That MoBo chipset will work but may require a certain amount of tweaking. I haven't been following it closely enough to say if this is still true under R5E50.

I just put together a R5D1 + 0.20 frontend with the M2NPV-VM, a 3200+ and 512Mb RAM. No problem with SDTV playback, still working through playback options for HDTV to see if this processor/memory will suffice, as I am seeing some slight stuttering on (some) HD playback at this point. If possible, I would go with tjc's suggestion of 1Gb RAM.

I am using a C-Media PCI CMI8738 instead of the onboard sound so I can't comment there.

Overall I am happy with the motherboard...

Thanks for the replies. I do plan on adding another 512 Mb later on, if I ever get a HDTV.