[mythtv-users] Building myth box

[David Mallwitz]

On Sunday 21 December 2003 12:15 pm, Carlos Fernandez Sanz wrote:

> worried with noise. I want my box to be a silent as it can be. I was
> thinking about getting a VIA CPU, which apparently don't need even a
> fan. My sources are mostly DVB, so since they come directly in MPEG2
> I don't even need compression power for most of them. Anyway, I'm
> getting a PVR-350 for Xmas for analog TV and TV out. So the only time
> I'll really need some CPU power is for MPEG4 playback.
>
> Any thoughts?

Sure. Remember that some VIA MBs do have a fan, so make sure you have 
the right part number before you order. I recomend the M6000, not the 
fastest processor, but dead silent. When choosing a case, be careful 
not to go with the really small ones (ex. Cubid 2699) as they may have 
trouble with the heat generated by modern 7200 rpm HD and the PVR350. 
Full size memory sometimes won't fit in the smaller cases, also. But be 
careful of the larger ones (ex. Sereniti2000) as they may use a 
peculiar (and noisy) type of power supply. Your best bet for a quiet 
system is always going to be an external power supply 
(http://www.mini-itx.com/store/default.asp?c=9#p67). If price really is 
no object, then you might want to check out the Hoojum Cubit 3 case in 
full chrome, the coolest looking case I've ever seen. I'd also avoid 
using slimline cd/dvd drives if possible as they don't have the 
mechanized ejection function that the full size drives do.

Happy Holidays,
Dave