Hi,

I have a running MythBox with the following hardware profile:

Athlon 1.3
Via Chipset Mobo
768 Megs of Ram
PVR 250
Nvidia FX 5200
40 Gig Harddrive
USMA controller card.
DVD Burner

I have manage to squeeze ok performance out of this hardware with KnoppMyth 4.2 but the setup was very difficult in part because I had to use a 3rd party IDE controller (the via mobo controller was off limits). I also ended up underclocking the system for better stability. Also because of the state of Nvidia drivers a while back, I could never get XMVC working on my FX 5200 card. Now that I want to upgrade to the latest version of KnoppMyth - I'm looking for a more sustainable solution.

Can anybody reccomend a cheap solution to bring my system into the realm of reccomended hardware? Are there any Althon Motherboards (perhaps not using Via Chipset) that are reccomended for Myth? or do I have to spring for a cheap intel mobo and CPU. What about the Nvidia FX 5200 - is it well supported? 6 months ago when I was setting up my MythBox, it was not.

I'd just like like to stress that my two main constraints are compatability and price. Any advice?

FYI tigerdirect.com has a deal on a 200 Gig Western Digital Drive for $89 after mail in rebate.

For the mobo could I just get something like....

http://www.fic.com.tw/product/motherboa ... t-748.aspx

I don't know if I would go SIS, I have no problem with them, and they are well supported in linux, but the latest knoppmyth versions have problems with the NIC on them. This will hopefully be resolved with R5, but that is some time away yet. If I were you and you wanted to be safe I would go with an nforce2 based board.

_________________
Have a question search the forum and have a look at the KnoppMythWiki.

Xsecrets

personally, I've had good luck with the Abit NF7-S board. Some others have reported problems, but nothing too severe.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 185&depa=0

If I remember correctly, the "recommended" board (only 'cause it's what cesman tests on) is the Chaintek 7NIF2:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDe ... 020&depa=0

As always, YMMV.

Thanks guys. I'm sold on the Chaintek. I just placed my order with newegg.

Adrian

Actually, my master backend in a 7NIF2 and it has been rock solid since R4V3(disabled APIC in kernel, etc.).

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cesman

When the source is open, the possibilities are endless!

could you elaborate on the "disabled APIC in kernel, etc..." I figured it would just be an auto install but I guess not.

Adrian

No real need to elborate...the kernel is already setup. Auto or manual setup you should be good to go.

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cesman

When the source is open, the possibilities are endless!

oh, ok great. Thanks for all your help.

one more question. Would I be better off using the onboard VGA on the the Chaintek board or the Nvidia 5200 Card?

Are there any tradeoffs?

I use the onboard svideo out of my chaintek, and It doesn't bother me. some people say that the 5200 svid is much better quality. that would be the only tradeoff, and only if you are using tvout. If you are using vga I would suggest using the onboard and saving yourself the extra slot and the heat.

_________________
Have a question search the forum and have a look at the KnoppMythWiki.

Xsecrets