Component Check

[trimble]

Came across what looks like a good deal on a system (Gateway GM5485E) and wanted to check the compatibility of its essential components:

1. Motherboard: Intel (Schroeder Town) G33 Motherboard (http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/Intel2/4006194R/4006194Rnv.shtml)
2. Video: NVIDIA GeForce 8500GT VGA DVI Video Card (http://support.gateway.com/s/VIDCARD/MSI/6008122R/6008122Rnv.shtml)
3. Audio: Realtek ALC 888S Audio Chipset (On Motherboard)
4: Tuner: AVerMedia M791 NTSC/ATSC TV Tuner Card (http://support.gateway.com/s/vidcard/AVerMedia/6008105R/6008105Rnv.shtml)

I've read about cooling problems with the stock GM5485E setup and plan to relocate the system components inside a larger, rack-mount ATX case; the NORCO RPC-450 4U (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811219019). The RPC-450 is an ATX form factor case and the G33 motherboard is microATX, but I've read that microATX boards should mount in ATX cases without a problem. The case is spacious and has good cooling, so hopefully the heating problems reported for the GM5485E won't be an issue.

Comments appreciated!

Mark

[freymann]

Hi Mark.

No experience with that motherboard.

I think the 8500 video card may be "too new" -- You'd be better off with an nVidia 6200 or 7300.

Audio not sure, I would guess OK.

There are only two entries for AverMedia in the wiki, neither one more than a few lines. The tuner card you need depends on if you want SD or HD. There is plenty of discussion about tuner cards in the Wiki and Forums.

I think it's hard for anyone to say for certain if your collection of goods will work. The bad side of things is LMCE can be very picky and not all of us have the luxury of "trying" one system, and then another, and then another until it works ;-)

Give it a whirl and if it works, add the details to the wiki for others.

[colinjones]

Agreed on the 8500 - although you can almost certainly get it working with a little tinkering with the drivers and the instructions in the wiki. For the TV tuner you would be well to read the wiki on linuxtv.org for suggestions - generally if it works OK for Linux then you are in a good position for LMCE.

[trimble]

Thanks for the comments.

I checked linuxtv.org and the AVerMedia M791 tuner is currently on their unsupported list. That, combined with your advice concerning the nvidia 8500 is enough for me to be glad I checked here first!

Cheers,
Mark