I have a first gen Intel Duo mini and I could never use it as an HTPC, even if it were capable in terms of processing power. It's just far too loud. I don't know how yours stacks up, but even though I may have the volume on the source loud enough to drown out a fan, it still increases the noise floor significant;y enough to bother me. Not to mention the times where the volume is very low or muted/off completely. I'm a firm convert to the client-server methodology when it comes to HTPC and media distribution.