New HTPC For HD Content

[OzTheory]

I currently have 2 HTPCs running well but neither can handle high definition and neither of them are coming with me to my new location.  This is what I have currently:
HTPC 1: MSI K8NGM2-FID, AMD 64 3000+, WD 200gb HDD, 1gb ram, Antec NSK2400, PVR-500, HVR-1600, Logitech Harmony 659 Remote
HTPC 2: ASUS M2NPV-VM, AMD 64 3200+, WD 250gb HDD, 1gb ram, nVidia DualTV MCE, NSK2400, D-Link Wifi, Harmony 720 remote

I intend to run GB-PVR as my software as that is what I’ve been using and I like it.

Anyway, I figured out I need to order the components while I am stateside since and shipping is very expensive to Alaska.

[b]Desired Capabilities[/b]
– Output HD quality TV
– Record 2+ streams (at least one of which is digital)
– Cut out commercials/encode to xvid
– Send out shows to an extender
– Optical audio out

[b]Currently Have[/b]
– High-def LCD tv (LG)
– HVR-1600 (coming out of HTPC 1)

Largest issues:
– I have never had good luck with ATI video cards; everytime I get one I hate it for some reason or another.
– With the motherboards I’m looking at it looks like the 780G by ATI beats the GeForce 8200…

[b]Components[/b]
Motherboards
– GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard ([url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128090]newegg[/url])
– GIGABYTE GA-M78SM-S2H AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 8200 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard ([url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128340]newegg[/url])

Can anyone tell if either of these motherboards have H.264 hardware acceleration?

Case
I’m really sad that they don’t make the NSK2400 anymore so I’m open to suggestions.  Cool and quiet are paramount.  Currently I’m thinking the:
– Antec Aluminum Veris Fusion Black 430 Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case with IR receiver ([url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129030]newegg[/url])

Ram
Just gonna pick up 4gb of RAM compatible with whichever motherboard that way I can dedicate 512mb to the videocard (or the max I can).

OS
I’m hoping to run WinXP Pro but I can run Vista Business (have a copy from school).  Opinions?

Processor
I’m thinking that going with a 45W dual-core processor will cut down on the power bill; will I still have enough power to watch tv, do processing, etc?  Normally processing is done overnight the biggest “issue” would be recording digital and streaming to an extender.
– AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core Processor ([url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103255]newegg[/url])
or the one that takes more power:
– AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Brisbane 2.7GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor ([url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103210]newegg[/url])

Extender
Popcorn Hour A-100 (opinions anyone).

Hard Drives
Standard SATA, probably start with 500-750gb (all recorded shows will be made into HD xvid overnight).

Optical Drives
some sort of SATA drive most likely

Tuner
– HVR-1600 to start; then once I get to Alaska I’ll either add another one (any issues with two 1600s?) or get an HD-PVR.

So, opinions, help, etc?  Everything has changed since the last two… not to mention the ATI vs nvidia thing is really getting to me.

Thanks for any help you guys can give.

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