Motherboard Recommendations

[seaneys]

Hello,

I'm thinking of building a server that will serve as both a PVR (via MVP) and a general workhorse. Can anyone recommend a motherboard / chipset? I'm at a loss where to start.

I do not plan to locate this PVR within my video cabinet -- I can use a full height case.

Thanks!

Steve

[capone]

It will vary widely based on the processor you have/use. Abit and Asus have always been performers for me, but Asus is a bit slicker w/ jumperless boards and hot upgrades to the bios (while in windows).

If I had to choose a manufacturer, I would go w/ them, and then shop on feautres (raid y/n, on board a/v y/n, etc) and reviews (finding ppl complaining about conflicts w/ hardware like SB cards, and you plan to install one, et al).

[bgowland]

Don't touch anything with a VIA chipset if the SouthBridge chipset is a VT8237 and you want to buy a Hauppauge PVR500. Friendly warning.

Ok, so that's a recommendation of what NOT to buy...

I'm happy with my Intel D865GBF board. Not a cheap board but some of the other manufacturers use the same chipset if I remember correctly.

Cheers,
Brian

[seaneys]

Did you choose the full ATX sized board for the extra slots? I've was thinking that the added capability might be handy down the line.

[bgowland]

Did you choose the full ATX sized board for the extra slots? I've was thinking that the added capability might be handy down the line.

Yes. Lots of PCI slots was always a must for me as I wanted a multi-tuner setup. My first board was an Asus with 5 slots but that had the VIA chipset I mentioned and it conflicted with my PVR500 (known issue).

I changed that for an Intel D865GBFL (onboard sound, graphics and LAN) which had 6 PCI slots. Due to a misprint in the Intel datasheet, I managed to blow the chassis fan speed control circuitry (they specify 800ma chassis fans - a later addendum correctly shows 600ma max. - bah). At this point there was suddenly a UK shortage of Intel P4 Skt478 mobos and all I could track down was the standard D865GBF (without LAN) so I now have to use a PCI LAN card but that leaves 5 slots for tuner cards.

One other point slightly related - if you're going for a P4 SKT478, beware the 2.4GHz 'Prescott' (I have one). It is known to run hot and the fan/heatsink supplied with the retail package is noisy and not very efficient. I replaced mine with a Zalman Super Flower but that added 35GBP to the build price of my system.

Cheers,
Brian