Can't you get someone to test the videocard for you? Doesn't make much sense to be ordering other parts if they work fine.
To be honest with you, I have been in computer shops like PCWorld, and they know less than you guys do about computers. I hate to generalise, but I think that HTPC appasionate like we are, are more knowledgeable about hardware than the generic "PC" person. I work in a company with an IT department, and they come to me to ask me what hardware they should buy.
I build PCs, they just buy them off Dell....
In terms of Temps, coretemp reports 48C on CPUs when idle, and 50 when playing a BlueRay disc.
I think it will be cheaper for me to buy a card for 60£, than to take my videocard to be tested by someone that might not even have a Blue Ray drive to use in the shop. Plus I have always another PC being built in the house (that is the one I cannibalised for the Power Supply yesterday night). I am running a Lan with 3 HTPC at the moment, going for 5 eventually when the loft conversion is done (3 in the bedrooms, 1 powering up plasma in front room and lcd in the kitchen) and one for the loft conversion).
I have changed
- memory stick
- power supply
I will change
- videocard
I mean, if it doesn't work, it HAS GOT to be the motherboard, doesn't it?
I cannot be the CPU as it never really goes above 40% usage when playing a Blue Ray disc.
As for temps, my case Dign 3se has
- a decent airflow (two panaflo fans at the back)
- a gap of 1cm running under the front plate all along the case for front air intake
- is at the bottom of the av rack so there is nothing underneath it (I tested my hard disk temps when sitting on top of the amp and it was getting quite hot..)
- is made of metal and it is always cool to the touch
pic below