Critique my potential MythTV box

[wallsfd949]

Thanks for looking, this is going to be my 1st MythTV box. I'm no Linux newbie but I have never put together the hardware for this type of setup and want to make sure I'm not missing anything or getting incompatible components.

Motherboard
ECS 661FX-M v1.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Processor
Intel P4 1.8 / 256 / 400mHz someone gave to me in exchange for a small amount of CentOS support

RAM
512MB of PC2100 I have sitting around the house

VideoCard
Nvidia TI 4200 a friend is pawning off on me

Case / PS
Antec Overture II ($124) 450w or Antec MINUET II ($82) 220w

Capture Card
Hauppauge PVR-250 ($135) or Hauppauge PVR-500 ($145)

DVD Player I have sitting around collecting dust

40GB 7200 ATA disk for starters (I have a 600GB NIS/Samba file server eager and waiting to be used)

Gigabit add in card sitting on my shelf



Here is where my questions come in.

1.) The Processor is a 400Mhz FSB but the motherboard is rated at 800/533 - am I asking for trouble or will this be ok (same for RAM)?

2.) I like the size of the Antec MINUET II and it 'looks' like there will be clearance for my Video and TV cards but is the power supply too small for the video card I've been given?

and finally
3.) The hauppage card. I've heard and read several different opinions on this. Some people say the video quality is not as good on the Dual tuner PVR-500 as the PVR-250. What I'm looking at is the ability to record one program and play/pause/rewind live TV at the same time -or- record two programs simultaneously which is a nice feature. Will I notice a big difference in quality?


again, thanks for reading, comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated!

-fireman

 

[thecoolnessrune]

1. I would look around for this board instead. That chipset is much more stable.

2. Minuet II's PSU will be fine

3. Can't answer for the TV tuner

4. If you can swing the price, I would seriously try to score this vid card. For normal viewing your fine, but when h.264 video starts up, that 1.8Ghz CPU wont have the grunt to decode it. This little guy will give enough oomph to keep your 1.8 doing fine.

 

[wallsfd949]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
1. I would look around for this board instead. That chipset is much more stable.

I've read that the VIA chipset is not as friendly on MythTV boxes, but it doesn't look like the chipset you reccomended is in the list of offenders so I'll take your recomendation - thanks!


2. Minuet II's PSU will be fine

4. If you can swing the price, I would seriously try to score this vid card. For normal viewing your fine, but when h.264 video starts up, that 1.8Ghz CPU wont have the grunt to decode it. This little guy will give enough oomph to keep your 1.8 doing fine.

The only problem I'm running into is you suggested a PCI-E x16 card and the motherboard you suggested only has AGP 2x/4x

In light of your suggestions, what about the Biostar P4M80-M4?

AGP 8x to utilize the TI 4200 (128MB 8x), SATA support and a VIA chipset (not the same as the suggested board)?

 

[redgren]

Did you ever decide on what HW to use?