[mythtv-users] New Computer Advice

[Anthony Spinoza]

>>>>
> I am planning on getting a new computer
> while putting some older
> computers back in service as dedicated MythTV
> boxes. I would like some advice though. I will be 
> using this new computer for everything (TV,
> maybe some gaming)
>>>

> don't save on:
> - harddisk space (hard to upgrade, you can only add
> an extra disk)
> - CPU (hard to upgrade, your motherboard won't
> support cpu's that are in
> store next year anyway)
> - Video-card (very expensive to upgrade)

 There is always a performance / price sweet spot with
computer hardware. Just hit up pricewatch and find the
sweet spot, buy in there, and you'll always end up
with the most bang for your buck. The sweet spot is
defined at the point where performance / price spikes
for the first time. This has always been most obvious
with CPUs. usually it's the 2nd or 3rd fastest chip
available. example:(not real) a p4 2.0 Ghz at 400
bucks, but the 1.9Ghz is 250 bucks which one to
buy??.... AMD was always a bit more complicated
because they usually have more chips out, and
sometimes certain chips are sought after for
overclocking, driving the price up.

> Save on:
> - memory (take 512mb now, a new chip can be added
> whenever you're going to need it)

Save on "size" not on brand name, you will not be
happy with generic RAM, neither will your Main Board.
Stick with the big boys, micron or someone that uses
micron... etc. Also, most Main Boards today and dual
channel. If this is the case with yours, get a dual
channel kit from a major name, you will save yourself
a lot of headaches later, and if dual channel, just
get dual 512's and get it over with.

> - cd/dvd-player (cheap to upgrade)
For dvd-burners you don't want to skimp too much, you
could end up with lots of coasters.

> - mainboard (minor impact on performance)

Performance maybe minor, stability major. The key
difference between a stable machine that just works,
and one you want to throw out the window after 30
hours of configuration is the mainboard. This is
especially true if you start using "odd" hardware such
as the pcHDTV card. ( 5v pci2.2... another story )

> Don't forget to check for Linux-drivers before you
> buy something :)

Always good advice :)

> Regards,
> Marc-David

Hopefully I teach and not confuse
Thanks for listening
-vito


		
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