HTPC build... can't make up my mind

[drextremeops007]

i can't make up my decision on this 2 upcoming htpc build that I am thinking of building

AMD build
CPU : AMD BE-2300/2350
Mobo: ECS 6100SM-M (not sure whether I would stick on this one, as it came as a combo)
~~ I am thinking of the AMD690 chipset as I will be moving on to HD in a couple of months and this chipset seems to be the best for the purpose. Must be Micro-ATX.
GPU : ATI 2400/2600 or Geforce 8500/8600 (or is the onboard of 690 is sufficient??)

Intel build
CPU : E2140/E2160
Mobo : since CPU is 800FSB, I dont know if I need the latest G31/G33 chipset. I am thinking of going for the 945/965 based mobo. Must be Micro-ATX.
GPU : ATI 2400/2600 or Geforce 8500/8600

I have a firm budget of about $450 (give and take another $25). I already bought the other parts
(they came up to ~$180, give and take $50 rebates that I am not going to factor in as rebates sometimes dont come in)
so I have about $270++ to spend on the cpu/mobo/gpu/tv-tuner. Also, I will be using the PSU that came with the case which is an Ultra 400W PSU.

 

[bmwme]

I'm going through a similar thing.

I've been told that for primarily HDTV viewing the 690 chipset is good, but it will not play 3D games.