It’s not a truly cheap project—Rick’s total cost was about $610, without tax—but it does result in a serious computer that doesn’t look bad in an entertainment center, has outputs for any A/V equipment you’ve got, and has enough muscle not to choke or stutter on really high-def stuff.
The full details, specs, and hardware list are at the DeviceGuru blog. If you’re keen on following Rick’s lead but lack the hardware know-how, our founding editor just posted a first-timer’s guide to building a computer from scratch that can help you along. We’ve also shown you the cheaper, slim-and-sleek way to cut the cable for good with Boxee and Apple TV, but the “BoxeeBox Cookbook” will set you up for potential cable bill savings as well. It’s worth noting, though, that since this Boxee runs on Linux, a few compatability issues, like ABC.com streaming, could pop up here and there.