[mythtv-users] Sanity Check

[Ryan Steffes]

On Wed, 27 Oct 2004 14:58:31 -0500, Jeff Thompson <jefft at threeputt.org> wrote:
> Hi all, I am planning on building my first mythtv box. I have reviewed
> many of the configs discussed on the mythtv-users mailing list, however,
> I'd like to solicit comments on my planned config before actually
> ordering the hardware.
> 
> Here is my planned config for a frontend/backend configuration:
> 
> OS: Fedora Core 2
> Mythtv: 0.16
> Case: Cooler Master ATC-620C-BX1
> PSU: ZALMAN Noise-free 300W(PFC) ATX (version 2.03) model ZM300B-APS
> Mother Board: Chaintech 7NIF2
> CPU: AMD Barton XP 2800+ OEM
> Cooler: ZALMAN CNPS6000-Cu Pure Copper CPU Cooler for Socket A/370 retail
> Memory: Pqi TURBO Series Dual Channel 184-pin 512MB (2x256MB)
> Disk: Seagate 7200rpm Ultra ATA/100 200GB (for mythtv and older 40GB
> drive for Fedora Core 2)
> Tuner: Hauppauge PVR 350
> Remote: the one that comes with the PVR 350
> 
> I plan on adding a PVR 250 to the config for dual recording, but for
> now, that's enough money for something that I might not even get
> working!!! :)
> 
> This is the first h/w system I've ever built, so I'm worried that I
> won't be able to squeeze everything into the ATC-620 depending on the
> layout and size of components, etc.
> 
> Any comments, positive or negative are appreciated.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> --
> Jeff Thompson
> jefft at threeputt.org
> 
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> 

Silentpcreview.com seems to be down at the moment, but I tend to take
their word as gospel for things like this.  That said, the general
feeling I get about the Zalman PSU is that it's good but not great. 
They recommend several models in the Antec and Enermax line.  The
Coolermaster is a tight case, but I'm pretty sure the Thermalright
XP-90 fits in it and will outperform the Zalman, although it's a
little more expensive.  I'd look, but like I said,
www.silentpcreview.com seems to be having some issues.

Another note is if this is a dedicated mythbox that chip is flat out
overkill.  The 350 PVR will do almost all the work for you, and heat
will be a concern in the confined case (I do want one of those cases
though!).  Consider a cheaper, slower, mobile chip.  You could get a
mobile 2200+ for much less and undervolt for a much cooler chip and
never know the difference.