New PC Recommendations

[chrisv]

Hello all. I'm starting to think about getting a new PC to replace my old PIII. I'd like some suggestions for parts. I have been researching this topic non-stop for the last 2 weeks and my head is dizzy with all the information (seems like a million motherboards to choose from and whether to go AMD X2 or Core 2 Duo).

My requirements are as follows. For the time being, capture satellite through S-Video on my Hauppauge HVR1600 to be used for live tv (playback on my 46" Toshiba rear projection CRT). The PC will be in a separate room, but I have Cat5/E running through the house and I already have Component/Digital audio baluns that I can use (http://www.muxlab.com/products/ve_vga_co...alun.html). As such, I need to have component out of my PC as well as digital audio out (coax).

OTA HD is not easy to catch in Montreal but I am hoping to catch some channels in the future so I want the PC to be able to play HD.

This PC will only be used as an HTPC. Live TV is a must (rewind, pause, ...). Of course, I will be using GBPVR. I will not be playing any games on this PC.

I have been thinking about getting a board with integrated graphics but I have yet to find one that has component out. I know dedicated video cards do (many of the Asus Geforce starting with the 6x series).

Any suggestions for motherboard and CPU? I'd love to hear people's feedback.

Thanks in advance.

[Trips]

How about one of these two boards? They seem to have about every connection any of us will ever need.

GIGABYTE GA-MA69GM-S2H

ASUS M2A-VM

[herbs]

Both have the 690g chipset which is well suited for htpc duties.

[chrisv]

You're right - I have seen those boards but I've been looking at Intel boards for the last few days, which is why I said what I did about the component out. My apologies.

Some people have been recommending that I get an Intel board with a Core2 Duo for my HTPC since it runs more efficiently and cooler than the AMD. Is this true?

[bdgbill]

The nice thing about being in Canada is that the market is flooded with off lease IBM boxes.

I have 4 of them. I have used two for GBPVR, one of these was way under GBPVR's reccomended specs (PIII 600Mhz) but still ran great for over a year. Another bonus is that they almost always come with a horizontal desktop case which is great for HTPC.

My current GBPVR machine is a P4 2.4Ghz IBM Netvista I bought from TigerDirect for $275.00 Canadian.

I have never had a single hardware component fail in any of these machines. The cases are built like tanks, Mobos usually have 4 PCI slots and none of the hardware is proprietary.

I would take a used IBM machine over a new Dell anyday. Not sure if it will stay this way with the new generation of Lenovo boxes.

[Torque]

You're right - I have seen those boards but I've been looking at Intel boards for the last few days, which is why I said what I did about the component out. My apologies.

Some people have been recommending that I get an Intel board with a Core2 Duo for my HTPC since it runs more efficiently and cooler than the AMD. Is this true?

More efficient... if you mean by performance, yes. Would you really notice it in a PVR, probably not unless you convert alot of recordings from one format to another. Cooler? i doubt it. I have a dual core opteron that idles a tad above room temperature, my single core in the PVR idles at room temp.

Since I fixed my jerky video issues, I can whole heartedly recommend the nVidia 6150 chipset (if you can still find it). It has DVI, VGA, and Component out. The built in HD sound chip seems very good with spdif out. I currently have a single core 3700+ running in my PVR and it's extremely capable for fullfilling VCR/Timeshifting duties.

AMD prices are at an all time low... a great time to buy for building a PVR system.

[chrisv]

I think I'm sold on the M2A-VM HDMI.

What do you guys suggest in terms of processor? I'm thinking the X2 3800+. What about RAM? Do you think DDRII 667 MHZ?

Thanks once again for your help.

[DanDeighan]

Here's an article you might be interested in reading: http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/sho...spx?i=3003
After looking at some newer low wattage AMD chips, they recommended going with the Intel E4300 for a cool, quiet system.

Of course, those AMD MB's looked pretty spiffy for PVR...I have not researched any Intel equivelents.

As for memory, once you pick a CPU, just pick the appropriate speed of memory to match the CPU, in some name brand's value line. Kingston, Crucial, etc.

[stustunz]

things may have change but my experience is the intel based computer i have had have always been more stable (less crashes)
amd you get more bang for buck though
the arguement will go on for ever and no one will win

get the one that runs the coolest i dont even know which one it is

PCI slkots is my biggest problem i dont have enough

although new pci express cards are finally showing up


just had a look at the boards you are looking at they only have 2 pci slots and one pci-x ( i wouldnt be doing that)

you want at least 3 pci and 2 pci-x

[chrisv]

The problem with the Intel boards I have seen so far is that I can't get digital audio out (coax) and component out with an integrated graphics card. I'm not sure spending an extra $100 or so on a dedicated video card is going to be money well spent right now, especially since I will be doing no gaming.