please review my server specs before I purchase

[salsbst]

I have had an ugly weekend trying to force my Dell Precision 420 to run 2 Hauppauge 250s. Somehow I had this working before, when a RAM upgrade last week rendered the 250s unloadable. Since then, I have not been able to load a 250 while my video drivers are running and there seems to be no way to get a second 250 to run at all. I'm done with that machine and want to put RAMBUS behind me.

So, I've decided to build a new one. This will be a server, starting with 2 250s but eventually probably moving to 3.

Here are the key components that I plan to use:

Asus 845PE-X
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...=BROWSE&depa=1
nVidia FX5200 w/TV Out for TwinView
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...pa=1&section=2
Antec 3U rackmount case w/350W power supply
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...=BROWSE&depa=1
USB-UIRT
Intel P4/1.8A GHz 400MHz FSB, 512KB Cache w/Heatsink & Fan
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...116-134&depa=1

From newegg this prices out around $439. I will be repurposing hard drives that I already own.

Does anybody see any potential problems? In particular, I do not want any battle against my motherboard and video card over multiple 250s.

Video quality is not important. The TV out will be feeding an old 15" TV in the study.

I just want something that is stable, could support 3 250s and is cheap.

How am I doing?

Thanks,
Stuart

[salsbst]

Forgot to include RAM. 2x256 of Corsair Value Select DDR PC3200:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...=BROWSE&depa=1

[stanger89]

Only thing is with that motherboard 2 sticks of RAM won't do you any good, might as well go with one 512. Also you only need PC2700 since that's the fastest supported by the chipset (I've got an Abit BE7 with the same chipset).

I haven't regretted my purchase for a second. I see all these posts around here of people having horrible problems and I'm sitting here with 2.0 as stable as 1.4. Don't know if it's my HW or what, but I haven't had one problem I can blame my MB.

Just curious, why the Rackmount case? You could probably get a tower for a lot less.

[salsbst]

Thanks, stanger89.

As far as RAM goes I figured 2 256s would be cheaper than one 512 and I also recall that pairs of RAM on the 845 chipset can be addressed in parallel for speed? The cheapest Corsair available from newegg was the PC3200.... but honestly I just threw the RAM in with little thought after realizing that I'd left it out. I'll have to price the RAM more carefully before I commit. THanks for the heads up.

As far as the rackmount case goes, I've got 4 tower PCs (+cable box+switch+router+KVM) in my study right now and they're taking up too much room horizontally. I've just started to migrate to rackmounts in order to move to a vertical stacking for space conservation. So far I only have a rackmount UPS but I've decided that no more towers will be purchased.

Unfortunately, your success doesn't fully assure me that this is a good chipset for multi-tuners since I recall you mentioning elsewhere that you are only using one tuner.

I noticed that TapeItAll is using an 865 chipset for multituner systems but I'd rather not go so high end if I can avoid it.

I do appreciate your response.

Thanks,
Stuart

[stanger89]

The 845 only does single channel memory, the 865/875 support dual channel configurations.

God reason for the rackmount.

I know my luck says nothing about multituners, but I do recall someone mentioning that they couldn't get more than two tuners working until they switched to an Intel based board.

FWIW here's an 865 board for about $15 more than the one you selected:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...127-156&depa=1
865 boards aren't really high end, they're more mainstream nowadays (semantics), and probably a much better investment since you'd have more upgrage options than an 845 board. Plus you'd be using the same chipset as the Tapeitall box.

FWIW2, I doubt Intel changed the PCI implimentation much between the ICH4 (845) and ICH5 (865) except

FWIW3, nobody's going to be able guaratee you success, but from my experience, as long as you go with quality name-brand components you'll have much better luck.

[salsbst]

Thanks, stanger89.

It looks to me like I can get three of the PCI slots on the Abit IC7 to have dedicated IRQs, so that should be enough for me. I think I may go for that one.

[salsbst]

Looks like I may not have to build a new machine after all: http://www.shspvr.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=23379#23379

[carlgar]

Originally posted by stanger89
I know my luck says nothing about multituners, but I do recall someone mentioning that they couldn't get more than two tuners working until they switched to an Intel based board.

FWIW here's an 865 board for about $15 more than the one you selected:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...127-156&depa=1

I just built a system using an Intel D865GBFL board and it still shows the problems with Hauppauge 350 and 250's in the same machine.

[justme]

Looks like I may not have to build a new machine after all:

That's just plan weird. Don't you just love all the ways you can messup, I mean customize, a computer. The Ram I could understand, the the G400 is strange. Don't forget to let us know how it ends.

[garygreen]

I have another option for you.

If you're really only going to use the box like you say, then an awesome sulution is the VIA EPIA M10000 w/the 1Ghz Nehemiah C3 CPU mobo. 1 Ghz is plenty fast for video/DVD/music (see review). This mobo has one fan (CPU). It's already very quite, but I use a Zalman Fanmate to slow/quiet it down more.

I have the mobo mounted in the new black Morex Venus 669 Case. The case has a tight fit for a full height PCI card. The case also has two 40mm fans and a (200w) PSU fan. But the VIA board does not need the 40's running so they are unplugged. Very quiet.

I'm running a Lite-on DVD/CD-R, a 160GB Seagate Barracuda and Windows XP.

Check out the specs on this mobo and then go hit the site below: "The VIA EPIA M-Series Mini-ITX Mainboard is a revolutionary, ultra-compact x86 platform optimized for today's killer digital applications. At just 17cm x 17cm, Mini-ITX is the world's smallest native x86 mainboard platform, and is fully compatible with Microsoft and Linux Operating Systems. Available with an embedded VIA Eden™ ESP processor core for fanless systems with ultra low-power requirements, or an embedded VIA C3™ E-Series processor for more demanding digital multimedia applications, the EPIA M-Series is the perfect platform for a whole range of small form factor, low-power digital media devices and home entertainment centers.

The EPIA M-Series' VIA Apollo CLE266 chipset features an embedded MPEG-2 Accelerator for silky smooth DVD playback, and integrated 2D/3D graphics for a rich multimedia experience. With the sizable memory bandwidth of DDR266 SDRAM and the high data transfer speeds of ATA/133, the EPIA M-Series ensures the high performance levels required of today's most popular digital media applications. The user's digital media experience is further enhanced by support for 5.1 surround sound, courtesy of the onboard VIA VT1616 6 Channel AC'97 codec.

The latest in high-bandwidth connectivity is supported with both IEEE 1394 and USB 2.0 connections provided, as well as S-Video and RCA TV-Out (NTSC & PAL) and 10/100 Ethernet for seamless broadband connectivity. The EPIA M-Series also offers support for the latest LVDS embedded LCD panels, has one PCI slot for expandability options, and is compatible with a full range of Mini-ITX chassis as well as FlexATX and MicroATX chassis.
".

This setup will set you back about $650-750, and getting the case was a pain in the you-know-what, but this puppy rocks!

This VIA's site: http://www.viaembedded.com/product/e...therboardId=81
And here is a good review: http://www.mini-itx.com/reviews/nehemiah/
Case Vendor: http://www.morex.com.tw/mainpage2003.htm
Order case from: http://www.globalsources.com/

Ciao!
G

[mikesm]

I think when the Apex Extreme discovery game console starts shipping, it would make an excellent client. Already runs windows embedded off a hard drive in the box and should be very hackable.

And a very nice form factor too.

Thanks,
Mike

[stanger89]

Two problems with that board, only one PCI slot, so you can't run multiple 250's, and second, VIA has a notoriously poor PCI implimentation, although that probably wouldn't bite you with only one PCI card.

[salsbst]

Not to mention it costs more than the other options discussed and there is no need for small/quiet when it's going in a rackmount case. It really looks like more of a client solution than server. Thanks anyway, though. I appreciate you taking the time.

As it turns out, I spoke too soon over on shspvr forum. Swapping the VGA cards looked promising, but there were still issues. I've given up on the Precision 420 for multimedia applications, and already placed my order w/NewEgg. stanger89, I chose your mobo, so you're on the hook if it doesn't work

Regards,
Stuart