Totally redoing the system

[Grey_Goose]

Currently have 4 PVR250s & 2 USB2's all running cable.

Next year I'll be going back to DirecTV and NFL ticket; however, I'll still have cable as it's part of my neighborhood dues.

I'm looking at either 2 or 3 DirecTV feeds and 4 cable feeds. What i'll probably do is PVR500, PVR500, PVR250, possible serial card?, empty/possible raid card.

What do you guys think about a motherboard/processor? I'll be using this box as a server for 3 clients. Also, is RAID necessary from a performance standpoint?

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by Grey_Goose

What do you guys think about a motherboard/processor?

Something reliable is paramount, speed is not really important. Basically something with an Intel or nVidia chipset.

I'll be using this box as a server for 3 clients. Also, is RAID necessary from a performance standpoint?

Probably not, but if you're going to have a lot of storage (more than 3 drives say), then it probably is for the simplified management (single volume) and redundancy.

[Grey_Goose]

What do you think of this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...31#DetailSpecs

the 6 pci slots make it very attractive, as I can option in a COM port card for DTV serial control, and still have a pci slot for a RAID controller later. It also natively supports 6 drives.

[Wheemer]

given the obvious negative review of this motherboard, I'd steer clear of it. Why not go with an Abit or Asus?

[Grey_Goose]

Mainly because it's the only 6 pci slot board I can find. If I go by the review & steer clear of an 800 FSB cpu, that may not be a problem. The reviewer was also trying to build a silent pc and probably undercooled it. With 5 pci slots full, 4 ide drives, and a scsi drive, i plan on getting a cm stacker & loading it up w/ fans.

I liked the Asus P4P800, but I'm really shooting for 2 COM ports.