I intially had planned on a media center extender, but limited formats and high prices meant I could build a PC that would be much more versatile at about the same price.
Specs:
Case - Aywun MI-100
Mobo - Intel DG45FC
CPU - e5200
HDD - Fujitsu 160GB 2.5"
PSU - Pico 120W with 100W brick
Wifi - Linksys wireless N USB adapter
DVD - Pioneer 216
Remote - Microsoft remote
I chose the case mainly because of availability and price. Not many options for ITX cases in Oz, and this is identical to the Apex MI-008 reviewed favourably by SPCR, with a different faceplate. I am not in love with the looks, but it is small and unobtrusive and I can't ask much more than that at the price.
I did some mods on the case to help it cope with a Core2 processor. Started by sticking some heavy ruber to the roof panel to quiet vibrations. Cut out a large fan vent on the right side panel, to fit a Nexus 120mm there as an exhaust. Drilled some intake holes on the left side panel to allow for intake and then covered all other holes up to control the airflow. This means that all the airflow is from left to right directly across the motherboard.
After that it was all pretty straightforward. I removed the stock PSU, and replaced it with a Pico120, which keeps it cooler and quieter, but more importantly, gives me plenty of room to play with. I stuck a Zalman NB47J cooler on the southbridge to help keep it cool, and I suspended the HDD below the normal HDD mountings.
Cable management is a bit tough in such a confined space, but cable tie anchors helped there.
I am still using the stock HSF, but I am looking out for something like an Arctic Cooling Alpine 7 Pro to run passive right next to the Nexus 120. These don't seem to exist in Oz, and postage is pretty steep from overseas. As it is the noise level is really good though, so I am not too fussed. It is in my bedroom, so it can't make much noise, but it sleeps all the time anyway. When it is woken by my WHS for nightly backups it never wakes me or the missus up. In the middle of the night, I can hear a low hum from the nexus and that is about it. The CPU fan is running slow enough that I can't hear it over the 120mm fan, and even though that is at 12V at the moment, from about 8 feet away in bed, it is really quiet.
All media is streamed wirelessly from my WHS, and N wireless handles HD content fine. The G45 graphic on the DG45FC are also excellent. I have had a G35 motherboard before, and that was definately below par, but the G45 is really good.
