want to make a cheap media pc

[dutchiee (=]

Hey guys,

 

im looking at making a media pc for my main set top box in my loungeroom with intentions of running plex/frontrow for media handling. i use both on my current mac and it works great. id hope to be using spdif/digital optical out for sound and just any vga out aslong as it can run 1080p

 

are there any motherboards/cpu's you recommend that are cheap and will get the job done ? id rather less steps for installing but if it works well im up for a lil challenge. i was planning on getting a c2d but the prices for the new core series are fairly low so im not sure which is better for performance and media handling.

 

thanks for any input