PC specs/building an ideal PC.

[Draco1962]

Not to disagree (since that's what I did), but some people like to use there HTPC's as a file server as well. Deciding what you want in the end is a good start to your current build. If you just build something that works today, it might not fit into your final, overall vision. Doing that might waste money and, more importantly, time and effort. On the up side, I think you've gotten a lot of good feedback to at least help answer the questions you've posted.

You have a valid point. Since I have a multi-pc family, a NAS solution as previously described would benefit us most as we are less likely to leave an HTPC on all the time (living in Florida, the lightning capital of the world and having lost some home theater equipment to it in the past). Each person's needs and pocket-book will form a different big picture. It is cool that there is so much experience to draw from to make that picture a reality.