I needed an HTPC that would simply allow me to listen to my MP3's, show slideshows, play DVDs from an ISO file, and be a SMB file server. I have satellite TV and did not need a tuner card. Here's what I built and it seems to work very well for how cheap it was (at least I felt it was cheap).

ECS GF6100-M754 motherboard w/AMD 3200+, integrated NVidia GEforce 6100, and 512MB DDR 333 DIMM included = $80-$20 rebate = $60

CPU Fan/Heatsink = $10
HTPC case = $44
500GB SATA HD = $90
Old Hauppage Tuner card for IR remote interface (not using tuner) = free (could buy PC remote for $30)
Homemade SPDIF cable = $10 (could have done for free if I just solder cable straight to motherboard connector, but I want it neat. Couldn't find cheaper mountable female RCA connector)
Mythbuntu software = free

Total (not including shipping) = $214

This HTPC build provides plenty of horsepower to playback the DVD isos. I attach to my 52" LCD HDTV via SVGA port. Probably wouldn't work if you use fancy compression on your DVD's.

Interesting. I had read that some of the ECS mobo's have had problems with Linux (at least they were not on the compatibility list I had looked at). That apparently is not the case with yours.

Interesting. I had read that some of the ECS mobo's have had problems with Linux (at least they were not on the compatibility list I had looked at). That apparently is not the case with yours.

No problems with the motherboard. Only issue I had was with the restricted NVidia Linux driver where I had to disable AIGLX. Not a big deal though. I'm sure it depends on the particular chipset used on the motherboard to whether it plays nicely with Linux. ECS uses several different chipsets. Also the reviews at newegg suggested that it worked well with Linux which is why I bought it (along with the price).