Can Anyone tell me , the major differences between Media Center OS and XP Pro

I am building a new system as soon as i can pick out a Heatsink Help me Pick a Heatsink

and once i build this system i was thinking about making it a Media Center PC , but want to know the major differences between the two

Thanks

Rob

media center is designed to be a home theater operating system. if you buy a system with it pre-installed, it comes with a remote to navigate, and basically acts like a beefed up tivo. It records tv, allows you to hook up to your home network (if you have one) to play videos, look at photos, play mp3s etc...

try this on for size

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/m...ed/default.mspx

I see you have an all in wonder card so I would recommend Media Center. If you plan on using the card to its full potential then XP MC would be better and easier.

but...doesnt an ATI card alreayd support most of the functions of Media Center? the newer ati AIW cards like the X800 XL AIW have remotes too. and they perform PVR and such. i would have thought having an ATI card would make the purchase of media center stupid, and...redundant.

You will also need dielectric grease. This helps the heatsink adhere to the processor. It also helps distribute the heat.

if you are going to be using a pentium 4 and plan on overclocking at all

get the big typhoon, it is the best cooler on the market right now, even beats that new zalman thing and the xp120 or xpc-90

I like using XP Pro

if i had an AIW Ati card i wouldnt bother with media center. its just more useless bloat thats unneccesary.