Mikes - giving you the benefit of the doubt I assume your over-riding concern is that I, or other less clued up forum members [no pun intended!], could be encouraged to overspend and/or compromise their end result. My own interpretation of the advice from the other guys was that they were trying to give the best advice based on their own experience and wisdom and not that they were showing off but then there's no tone or inflection on a forum so misunderstandings are commonplace. I've decided that I will have to accept some compromise to allow me to have a PC that games and can act as a media source and yet still be affordable. If I wanted utter silence I'd opt for a lower powered rig running SSD as you suggest. I'd probably also move to a flat that wasn't under the Heathrow flight path
I chose this section for the precise reason that threads like Razor's and, more recently, Grangey's appear to show quite extensive synergy with my own aim. I can't afford two PCs unless the premium I'm paying for trying to achieve a dual purpose PC means the end result is more expensive than two separate PCs, and I don't think it is. Thanks for providing the flip side to the argument though.
All and everyone - thanks as ever for continuing to contribute, with regards the choice of case [I like the Silverstone LC17 for looks], is it possible to use it with a remote control? I'd really like to implement my Harmony 885, is that doable? Also, the case says it has USB2 ports, does this mean any USB3 devices plugged into them would be throttled to USB2 speeds? Can the ports themselves be changed later anyway if need be or am I talking gibberish?
Last but not least, better to buy before or after New Year d'ya reckon? I know it's like asking you to look into a crystal ball but VAT increases are definite whereas I don't know whether PC components tend to be subject to January sales discounts.