Gabre

Hi everyone.

I recently got to the conclusion that I need some sort of storage server for my media files.
I currently have to boot up my desktop¹, to access my hard drives, and I'm therefore looking for an easier solution to connect to the tv, and it would be nice if it can be controlled with a remote.
The reason I don't boot up my desktop, is that I'm hardly ever playing games these days, and I do all my work on my laptop which is actually faster, but the storage space on it is very limited, and the desktop is just too big to place next to the TV.

I currently have about 2TB data (ripped from my DVD's and CD's), but I would like to have some spare space so looking at something like a SSD drive for the OS (probably MCE, unless told otherwise) and at least two hard drives for storage (I currently have 2x500GB in my desktop, and 2x1000GB + 2x1500GB externally, so a cabinet with two to four internal 3.5" slots would be nice).

I saw CablDeViL's build: HTPC Build Help, and thought it was something like that I am currently looking for, so I decided to sign up. :-)

I prefer the flat HTPC case layout over a cube since the flat layout is stackable.

My budget is up to around $800-1000, but it isn't so set that it can't be changed if it would greatly improve the build.

Hope you are able to help me with a build, or at least comment on what not to pick.

Best regards
Gabre.


Just for the reference:
¹: My desktop build is:
CPU: Intel Core2 Duo Processor E8400 (2x3.0 GHz)
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-P35T-DQ6
PSU: LC-Power Arkangel 850W
RAM: Corsari XMS3 RAM: 4x1GB
System: 80GB SATA hard drive.
Storage: 2x500GB SATA hard drive.
(I currently have got the smallest storage discs I have in the desktop and then the others in two external USB cases and in a two-disc NAS, although I would prefer to get rid of the need for the NAS).