[mythtv-users] How to avoid problem hardware in a new system

[James Carrig]

Thank you for the responses.  I am leaning towards building my own, but
trying to hurry and also be able to dual-boot with XP as I was before.  I
will definitely check out Monarch.

On 6/17/06, Brian Wood <beww at beww.org> wrote:
>
>
> On Jun 17, 2006, at 11:29 AM, James Carrig wrote:
>
> > My computer just up and died and I am suddenly forced in the market
> > to replace it.  I need a tower and I need to run Myth and I want
> > life to be easy, and so I am actively seeking to avoid problem
> > hardware, e.g., the VIA chipsets.  When I scan the ads, VIA
> > chipsets don't usually make the description.  Are these AGP
> > drivers?  Is there a rule of thumb I can use?  For example, do any
> > Dell's use these chips?
>
> VIA makes many things, including CPUs, but they are probably best
> known for the "core logic" chip(s) on motherboards made for Intel or
> AMD CPUs.
>
> Not everything they make has problems. The main problem that I know
> about is that their implementation of DMA with some chipsets is
> buggy. Since Myth systems tend to move a *lot* of data via DMA these
> problems tend to manifest themselves more so than with the average
> home system. I'm sure there are home users out there with buggy DMA
> chipsets who notice no problems at all.
>
> I'm not aware of any Dell's that use VIA mobo chipsets, that's not to
> say there none. I'd stay away from Dell because they use non-standard
> motherboard form factors and power supplies, making future upgrades
> difficult or impossible. They also do not support anything they
> didn't sell to you, and can get uppity if you have problems with a
> system that you have enhanced.
>
> Your best bet, as others here have said, is to put together your own
> system. You will get exactly what you want, and you will know what
> you have. You can also go to an integrator who will put together a
> system to your specs, in this way you can get a warranty on the
> system as a whole and not just on the individual components.
>
> Good integrators are Monarch, IBuyPower and others. Personally I have
> had very good luck with Monarch, their prices are good,the only
> problem I have found is they tend to want to install CPU coolers that
> I consider inadequate (though they probably do meet manufacturers
> specs).
>
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