Hi! I'm building a Linux Home Media Center (detailing all the work-in-progress at www.mrshark.it/lhmc ).

I've already bought Case (Enlight EN-7473), Hard-Disk (Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 PATA 250GB) and analog/digital TV-Tuner (Asus My Cinema-P7131 Dual).

I'm thinking to buy an ASUS M2NPV-VM, because:

• it is micro-atx (obligatory, I've a case that mounts only uATX mobos...)
• built-in audio 5.1 with optional bracket for spdif audio out
• built-in nvidia graphics card (geforce 6150), with HDTV (1080) out, and nvidia is recommended as graphic card by knoppmyth
• nvidia chipset nforce 430 (nvidia is a recommended chipset for amd procs, as i read...)

I choose amd, especially the new am2 socket, because i read that they are much less watt-hungry than intel equivalents, or even just normal amd processors with 754 or 939 sockets... someone told me that am2 amd processors dissipate from 35 to 65 watt...

my questions:

1. is it true that ALL amd processors with am2 socket consume so low power, or only some of them (which?)?
2. where to find a good overview/comparison of power dissipation of these and other CPUs?
3. has this mobo the tv-out bracket included or it's optional?
4. is it capable to tv-out a standard pal signal (i'm in italy and plan to attach my LHMC to my standard tv via scart, for now), or only HD signal?
5. and finally, is my chosen mobo good enough for my htpc?

OPS, LAST but not LEAST: will knoppmyth install on such hardware???

Thanks in advance to everyone that would satisfy my curiosity...

Only the low power versions of the AM2 processors have a TDP (thermal design power) significantly lower than those of the newer 939 processors. They're more expensive. For what it's worth, I'm running a 939 Venice Core 3200+ with a Zalman 7000B Al/Cu and no CPU fan, just the nearby case fan blowing on it, and it doesn't seem to overheat.

As for whether KnoppMyth will install -- with R5C7, the video puts you into Tier 2. Can't say about R5D1.

I am currently reseaching for a similar setup (HDTV Knoppmyth box). Mi dispiace, ma il mio italiano is much too basic to pick up any of the thoughts behind your build approach.

The geforce 6150/nforce 430 is a compelling combo. Note that the MSI K9NGM2-FID is also available in an AM2 socket version:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813130053

It seems that the lower/lowest power AMD Athlon 64 X2 processors are not quite available.

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 3800+

1. 35W Aka Athlon™ 64 X2 3800+ EE SFF (not offered in socket 939, apparently)
   OPN/Model# ADD3800IAT5CU ADD3800CUBOX
   
2. 65W
   OPN/Model# ADO3800IAA5CU ADO3800CUBOX

When looking for this part#, note the 3rd character (most will be ADA, which is the normal power version):
D = 35W
O = 65W

I haven't found it in stock anywhere, but it seems the price for the "ADD" 35W version is thought to be around $235 USD and is rumored to be available starting sometime in September.

Above model# and wattage from:
http://www.amdcompare.com/us-en/desktop/Default.aspx

See this comparison to the low power Core 2 Duo:
http://techreport.com/reviews/2006q3/e6 ... dex.x?pg=1

Here's a AMD only review:
http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle. ... =854&cid=1

Buona fortuna!

Please keep us updated on your progress,

JP

thanks a lot for your answer! I'll translate all to english, as I've some spare time (hoping my english is good enough...).

For now, I'll take a cheap sempron 3000, which I think is powerful enough for standard tv, and I'll look for an Athlon EE edition in the future, if HDTV will become a reality in Italy...

why do you say that 6150/430 is a compelling combo? Is it better to look elsewhere?

Mrshark,

Your English is quite good.

By compelling, I mean good and tempting: microATX and lots of goodies on the motherboard.

Having the video, including the DVI and component options, right on the motherboard allows for a smaller, lower power and potentially cheaper Mythtv box. Of course, digital audio out is also good.

There is a (small?) drawback. This 6150/430 chipset has some problems in linux/mythtv/knoppmyth. If you searth this forum you will see discussions. Other forums also discuss problems, and many seem due to issues in the early version(s) BIOS in the Asus A8N-VM CSM (first released in about Nov 2005):
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthre ... =a8nvm+csm

Here's Anandtech's Definitive guide to the MSI K8NGM2-FID (also links to the nV News forum, which covers both the K8NGM2 and A8N-VM):
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview ... erthread=y

I haven't come across any in-depth discussions on the Asus M2NPV-VM. Here's some short forums:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview ... erthread=y
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview ... erthread=y

Also, there is the MSI K9NGM2-FID (6150/430 AM2):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813130053

I am looking for a linux-based Tivo replacement with HD and am not a linux expert, so I am looking at a Knoppmyth Tier 1 or lite Tier 2 setup.

If I was willing to go with a separate video card and a different/larger motherboard (with higher power consumption), I may be able to make it work. For now, I continue to wait to see how the 6150/430 is eventually supported by linux/mythtv.

I think I should stop looking at new motherboards!

JP

i hope you could soon follow my guide, as i intend to do it step-by-step & cut-and-paste, updating it regularly if i modify my box...
i hope that my box will fit AT LEAST in tier 2, too, so it's not so difficult to have it working...
spdif on asus needs optional bracket, while tv-out is in the box... AFAIK

I'm still in the stages of setting up my new HD MythTV box.

I'm using this mobo. Seems that R5D1 is the one to use to get most things working.

I'm still trying to hunt down a decent price on the SPDIF board.

Make sure you get the right memory. I hear that the board is very picky about that.

I've paired this board with the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ with the new Zalman AM2 heatsink (the stock heatsink made noise, so i got rid of it), and stuck it in the new Antec Fusion case. The whole thing runs SILENTLY. I was only intending to build a quiet system, so I was very pleased to find out that the box makes literally no noise!

Does this board do old fashioned composite TV out or only HD? I don't see much point in replacing my 10 year old Magnavox until it dies. The ASUS web site shows a yellow RCA plug on the add-on board but it doesn't specifically say whether standard composite TV to a non-HDTV is supported.

Oh, and on the power consumption topic a friend told me that the Intel Core Duo processors have leapfrogged AMD in performance/watt. I haven't compulsively followed CPU technology since I was in high school, but he is generally pretty up to date on the latest developments.

Well i'm about to start testing the ASUS M2NPV-VM motherboards for myPVR, so i'll provide feedback here.

With the more recent Asus A8N-VM CSM boards there are very few issues with Knoppmyth.

Steve

_________________
OpenMedia Limited
New Zealands first open source PVR based on Knoppmyth
http://www.openmedia.co.nz for details

as promised, english version is online, hoping i've not written monstruosities in english...
http://www.mrshark.it/linux-media-center-english

material arrived... this weekend I'll install everything, crossing my balls... ehm, fingers...

I just ordered this mobo and 1 gb ram with a 320 SATA drive and Hauppauge 500 (dual tuner card). I will post a follow-up when I have it running. I am mainly concerned with getting the dvi port working with my TV. fingers crossed!

This is a great base for a PVR.

I'm building a frontend system with this mobo and a 4200+ 65W processor. Found the cpu on newegg for $85. (OpenBox deal) I was looking for the 35W 3800+ cpu, but googeling around, it was in the $300 range. Too high for me. Added 1GB of Corsair DDR-800 memory for $85, a Samsung SH-S182M DVD burner for $40, and wrapped it all up in a M Station HT-1100 case from TigerDirect.

So far, following the tips on the board and the Wiki, I have it running connected through the VGA port to an old Syntax 20" LCD, and it's working wonderfully!

Tweaks that I've already done, and need to double check:

Run alsaconfig again to catch the sound card. (it doesn't catch on the base install)

Edit: I did get the soundgraph imon VFD to work on R5E50 using the installed files, and I'll post my tweaks in the imon thread.

This Mobo is great...but I still need to work on the component TV out card.

So much tweaking, and not enough hours in the day.

I've got the component-out working fairly well on mine (it's not the highest quality, I'm afraid, all my dedicated video hardware, e.g. Sony DVR, PS3 gives better colors and contrast), but I haven't been able to get the SPDIF audio working at all...does anyone have a tip on what needs to be done to get it working? I'm currently using the analog sound.

For anyone who needs help getting the component-out to work, there are just a couple of small changes you need to make to your /etc/X11/xorg.conf or /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file (I'm running Ubuntu, which uses the former, AFAIK KnoppMyth uses the latter).

You have to add three lines to the "Screen" section...If your screen has full 1080 resolution, those three lines will be:

Option "ConnectedMonitor" "TV"
Option "TVStandard" "HD1080i"
Option "MetaModes" "1920x1080"

...you could also try "HD1080p" if your TV supports it, but IIRC the M2NPV-VM isn't supposed to support 1080p, so that's at your own risk (you'll probably not be able to boot into X, and have to rescue your system from the command line if you try it)

If you're using a 720p set, the three lines are:

Option "ConnectedMonitor" "TV"
Option "TVStandard" "HD720p"
Option "MetaModes" "1280x720"

...of course, you could also use 1080i on a 720p set if you wanted, but I find that sometimes causes flicker, particularly when using it as a computer...and on my TV, there's also less overscan if I use 720p, which is a distinct advantage.

If you want, you can also set some alternative resolutions to run in...running at full size, you will experience overscan, which will put anything near the edges of the screen out of view, so having a lower resolution to swtich to, that forces everything into view can sometimes be useful. My line looks like this:

Option "MetaModes" "1280x720; 800x600"

...That causes X to come up in 1280x720 by default, but also gives me the option of dropping down to 800x600 when I need to avoid overscan. The order can be important...when I had mine set to "800x600; 1280x720", it would come up with a logical resolution of 1280x720 in a physical resolution of 800x600...X seems to always use the first entry as your default physical resolution, but what resolution you pick as the default from within your GUI seems to be what chooses the logical resolution, at least in the case of Ubuntu/Gnome.

The easiest way I've found to change between resolutions is to use a terminal and type "xrandr -s <resolution>", e.g. "xrandr -s 1280x720".

ctrl-alt- -

also works to cycle through the known good modes.

_________________
R5F27 | M2NPV-VM | 4600+ 65W AM2X2 | CORSAIR TWIN2X1024A-6400 | 2x HD-5000 |
DVI to HP LC3700N