Hardware that I would like opinions on.

[MDH1966]

I am reposting this now that I can put links to the hardware.

Thanks Uplink!!!  

I am thinking of buying the following hardware to build a hybrid core.  This will eventually be moved into a core only position with media directors when I can buy more hardware.  I am limited on what video cards I can use as my entertainment system is based on component video.  I can upgrade later.

MB -- http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0314336
Proc -- http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0314336
GPU -- http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0310468
Memory -- 4 or more GB of DDR2-1066

Thanks,

M.

[ggmce]

Great post, please keep us updated on how this works out, I'm going through the same thing and didn't know how to narrow down the list of choices, Thanks

[theteju]

I would go still cheap on Motherboard,

you do not need Nvidia,, use onboard video chipset specially if the core is going tobe in closet.

Look for more pci slots on the motherboard.

its just my two cents.

[purps]

I would go still cheap on Motherboard,

you do not need Nvidia,, use onboard video chipset specially if the core is going tobe in closet.

Look for more pci slots on the motherboard.

its just my two cents.

I have to disagree with that I'm afraid; he wants to build a hybrid, and assuming you want the fancy UI2 and you don't want to be frigging around trying to make it work with unsupported hardware, then go nVidia, just to be certain. Unless you have had a positive experience with this specific setup, theteju?

When you come to convert your hybrid to a standalone core, you can remove the nVidia card if you so wish (and use it in another MD perhaps), but you'll probably only get UI1 out of the onboard graphics.

I agree on the PCI slots, I like to have at least 3.

Cheers,
Matt.

[MDH1966]

There is no onboard GPU.  I specifically looked for on without.  And this is going to be a hybrid core at the beginning.  It will probably be a hybrid core for a while.  It will go in the basement and run the entertainment center.  Once I build our home theater room (hope to be complete a year from now) then it will probably move into there and I will build a media director for the TV that we are using now.  So, this Hybrid will probably be a hybrid for a couple of years.  I usually get several years out of a computer because I will repurpose them.

As far as PCI slots go, besides tuner cards and a NIC, what else would I need to put there?  Honestly, I haven't decided on what tuner card I want to use.  It is going to be either the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 (I have one in my MythTV and I love the dual-tuner/one cable thing), or a Silicondust HDHomeRun-Dual (it has dual-tuners and any computer on the network can access it, currently there are 6 computers in the house), or the pcHDTV-5500 (only single tuner but it's supposed to have better Linux support.  I was leaning towards the Hauppauge because I've used it, I know it's quirks and can work around them, It's dual tuners on a single slot, and it's PCI-Ex1 (which the MB has four of).  Also, we don't watch TV on the other computers but they do access the music and other media so the Siliconedust/s network availability wouldn't be an advantage. The Hauppauge is in lead (for me) over the pcHDTV because of the dual-tuner/single cable/single slot.  I like neat installations including cable runs.

I welcome any opinions on tuner cards as I have not completely decided yet.  I was going to do a different post later on but it came up here. (Thom -- you kind of talked about this before but I wasn't clear on your opinion).

So, having said all that, other than an additional NIC and if I went with the Hauppauge, what else would I use the PCI slots for?  (serious question - no facetiousness intended)

Thanks,

M.

[MDH1966]

I just realized that the link to the processor actually took you to the MB.

Here is the corrected link:

Proc -- http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0332290

Thanks,

M.

[purps]

Apart from NIC, tuners, perhaps some extra USB ports (?) I can't think of anything else.

When I bought my motherboard, it was a replacement, and I already had 2 off PCI tuners and PCI NIC that I wanted to continue using, and therefore had to have 3 slots.

[rndinokc]

Also PCI port is good for serial ports in case you have an RS 232 controled A/V device as the USB to serial converters are a bit of a pain.
Randy

[purps]

Very good point indeed.

[MDH1966]

This particular motherboard has a serial port header.  It doesn't have a connection to the outside but it is easy to wire one in.  It takes up an expansion slot in the case but it doesn't matter which one as long as it's empty.

All it takes is one of these:

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0222898

M.

[MDH1966]

Additionally, there are PCIEx1 network cards available.
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0305875
Also, if I need more than one serial port, there is a PCIEx1 dual serial port adapter as well.
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0335294

Opinions?

Thanks,

M.