[mythtv-users] OT: Grrr Motherboards!

[Damian]

Damian wrote:
> Damian wrote:
>> Hello all,
>>
>> Sorry to start ANOTHER thread, but I feel I should whenever it's a new
>> question I'm asking. Let me know if I'm pissing anyone off.
>>
>> Last night, I was pretty much decided on the ASUS M2N-VM DVI
>> motherboard. Then I read about lots of problems with the on board LAN.
>> No problem I thought, if it messes me about, I'll just use my current
>> PCI Lan card! Then I realised that there are only two PCI slots on most
>> of these microATX boards and I need both of them for my two Nova-T tuners.
>>
>> So, change of thought .. I don't really want microATX. I've got a huge
>> ugly ATX case hidden away in the garage so I don't need scrimp on PCI
>> and IDE slots etc.
>>
>> Then I started to search for standard sized ATX boards with graphics on
>> board (as I only have an AGP 5200 card currently). A good friend of mine
>> found one for me (Gigabyte GA-MA69G-S3H
>> <http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=4LYB&CategorySelectedId=11143&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11143,405090000,356410000,42190000>) 
>>
>> but unfortunately, it still only have 2 PCI slots, and it's ATI that's
>> on board. My projector took me months and lots of peoples help to get
>> working right with the nvidia drivers to I daren't try it with ATI. I
>> feel like sticking with nvidia.
>>
>> So, not I'm thinking I should just get a motherboard without graphics on
>> board and just buy a cheap 7000 series nvidia card or something. It'll
>> probably push the price of the whole upgrade up (CPU, heat sync,
>> motherboard, memory and now graphics card), but seems to be the best way
>> to go.
>>
>> That opens up everything again, so I'd love a bit of advice to narrow
>> down my search.
>>
>> I keep yo-yo'ing between AMD and Intel, so feel free to recommend
>> either. I get the feeling that Intel has the edge, but AMD gives you
>> more performance for your money at the mid price range (which is where
>> I'm looking at).
>>
>> I promise to stop asking about hardware soon :-)
>>
>> Cheers all
>> Damian
>>
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> 
> Ok, I've just had another look on aria and here's a potential shopping list:
> 
> AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4800+ 2.50GHz (Retail AM2)
> (I should maybe go a bit slower to save a few pounds, but feeling greedy)
> 
> Gigabyte GA M56S-S3 AM2 Motherboard
> or
> MSI K9N NEO-F V3 Socket AM2 Motherboard
> (any thoughts on which?)
> 
> Corsair 2GB PC2-6400 XMS2 (2x1GB)
> (probably don't even need 2gig, but should leave me future proof for a 
> little while.)
> 
> MSI GeForce 7300GT 256MB PCI-E DDR2
> (could get one of the cheaper ones .. didn't spend a lot of time looking 
> at options. Didn't go for fanless based on sound, more on energy 
> consumption grounds)
> 
> How's that looking.
> More expensive than the on board graphics option, but leave me more 
> sorted I think.
> 
> Damian

Tweaking now ...

Think I'm going to go for the Gigabyte GA M56S-S3 AM2 Motherboard

Also going to change to Patriot 2GB PC2-6400 C4 Extreme Performance 
(2x1GB) memory to save a couple of pounds.

For the graphics card, I'm not sure whether to go for a very cheap 
GeForce 6200LE or a 7xxx series card. Is there much in it? Will I notice 
the difference in Compiz?

Damian