HTPC minimum requirements Xvid/Divx/TV Capture

[SiliconSoul]

I did not really see a good FAQ or and good threads with the info i wanted. Maybe this can be a good start of a FAQ or just good info about starting a HTPC.

I am thinking about building a HTPC. I want a HTPC for compatiblity and upgrability. I want it to play Divx and xvid with all post- processing playing smoothly. Of course play svcd, vcd, dvd, mp3, ogg vorbis, flac which should be no problem if it is playing Xvid smoothly. Tv Capture is nice but not needed.

I want to try and go with middle of the line but also know what the minimum that is needed. Do not want to go with something that is too expensive and overpowered. i have a high end desktop to encode all my video with.

Here is what im thinking and tell me if its okay and will be powerful enough.

AMD Athlon 2000-2500
ATI All in Wonder 9600 with the RF Remote and TV OUT.
512 mb ram
40-80gb HD
DVD-Rom
Good Multimedia management software to use with the remote. I think it comes with some. is it good or do i need to look for something better?

i do not want a xbox. i want to be able to play 1280x720p Xvid.
i have a compaq 2400 with a bad video card and i was going to take part out of that as a start or get a video card and hope the MB is still fine. or get a new MB and Video card and take all the rest off the compaq and put it in a new case. It was not mine but a friends that i help build a new computer and they gave me the old compaq. I would never buy a prebuilt PC! Build all my own.


i probably did not ask enough questions but hopefully more will arise and I can compile all the info into a decent HTPC FAQ.