[Ardour-Users] Motherboard hints and tips?

[Mark Knecht]

On Jan 31, 2008 4:45 AM, Mark Greenwood <fatgerman at ntlworld.com> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Having delved into why I'm getting 30% CPU usage with 4 tracks in
> Ardour, my VIA motherboard would seem to be to blame. So, it's time for
> me to build a new PC. I want to build it from scratch, since I've never
> done it before and I like a challenge and also I don't want to buy an
> off-the-shelf PC and get a useless Vista CD.... Back when it was my job
> to understand this stuff, I understood this stuff, but that was a long
> time ago. I've been researching and find myself bewildered by the range
> of options and makes and terminology.
>
> I've decided on a Core 2 Duo processor since heat generation and
> therefore fan noise is one of my top priorities (my current Athlon
> system sounds like a vacuum cleaner and keeps me awake at night from the
> next room!). Also I don't want to run a 64-bit system because I still
> want to be able to use it 'normally, and I've read of a few software
> compatability problems with 64-bit systems.
>
> So, does anybody on the list have any recommendations for motherboard
> brands, chipsets, kernel optimisations, etc etc etc. I'm floundering
> here so any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark.

Hi Mark,
   I still prefer Asus. They are a bit expensive but I just built a
P5E system with a Core 2 Duo. I've attached the parts list from NewEgg
if you want to look at that. This machine is primarily for Windows
gaming with Linux on a separate boot. The video card is load and noisy
but the machine itself is very quiet.

   Contrary to other responses I would not run 64-bit Linux. I type
this email from a 64-bit Gentoo machine. I can say that there are
numerous Windows-based web media formats that work marginally well
under 32-bit Linux that fail under 64-bit. There are some Java issues
under 64-bit and Flash has lots of problems under 64-bit. I've also
had problems with Wine and some, but not all, 32-bit VSTs not working
at all. It's gotten much better over the last 18 months with better
32-bit emulation libraries.

   If my hard drive failed in this machine I'd choose 32-bit without
hesitation. I've run 64-bit for close to 3 years and I cannot see ANY
advantage and many disadvantages.

   If you choose to run 64-bit you might factor in running a 32-bit
chroot as a means of running stuff that doesn't work right in 32-bit.
Twice the work though...

   Stick with 32-bit SMP set up for 4 processors and I think you'll be
happier in the long run. If you want to you can put 64-bit in a chroot
and see the compatibility problems yourself. If they aren't too high
you can always boot the chroot and run 64-bit later.

Cheers,
Mark

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