Looking to build first HTPC

[Ihaveworms]

So it is coming time to build a HTPC and I am totally out of the loop on lower end processors and video cards. I want my HTPC box to be able to decode high bit rate 1080p, do software RAID 5, and extract stuff in the background without making the video and audio stutter. I don't really know what processor and video card I should be looking at to do this. For now, I would like to have audio on my hdmi output from the video card and will be using the TV speakers in the mean time. Later, I will be doing optical out to a receiver.

So [H] peoples, I do not plan on gaming on this thing. Should I be looking at an AMD or Intel based system? Also, what CPU should I look at? What about what video card?

 

[450]

Why optical out? Does your receiver support HDMI?

 

[Ihaveworms]

I haven't even gotten a receiver yet. I wouldn't mind hdmi to that. Not really worried about that at the moment though. I want to know what CPU and video card I should be looking at.

 

[450]

I don't think the CPU matters too much. HD6450 is the video card i'd get.