Motherboard suggestions

[sonicolonic]

I got my Multiface today did some tests and it exhibits the same results when recording as my older ice1712 based card on this system (which perform fine on my much older system). Warbled audio, an audible pop consistent with CPU usage/writing to disk (even on the corresponding output channel with the level turned down), distorted audio. So, I'm ready to place the blame on the motherboard because that's the only other major variable. The only upside is that the Hammerfall doesn't cause xruns, which is hardly a consolation.

The culprit? Asus a7n8x deluxe. After doing some research I'm hearing about a not so great SATA controller, other people with related problems (fixed by switching to the a7v8x), and am finding pci priorities to be unmanagable. Plus, I found an article on RME's website about how to hack the a7n8x to get better performance, which tells me that there's a problem inherent with the board... go figure.

So, I'm in the market for a new motherboard. I don't need cutting edge or brand new, but reliability and/or proven performance. My initial searches point me towards the Asus a7v8x (as previously mentioned) and the Gigabyte K8NS. I haven't had the best luck with nForce drivers... don't remember exactly what, but had issues when setting up this system, though eventually got it working. A TI firewire chip would be cool, and definitely more than 2-3 pci slots, especially if my other ice1712 recording card still works ok. More sata than pata, but still have a couple of pata drives hanging around. I guess that's really it. Oh yeah, budget. I like to spend good money. I'd prefer a nice used mb to starving for a month for a bleeding edge monster system. I spent something like $120 for this mb/ram/cpu combo and would like to spend around the same for this next one. I had a friend who will buy this current rig from me so I'm looking for more of a lateral change.

Suggestions please? Thanks!

~Brian

[sonicolonic]

Ok, did some research and upped the budget. I'll be breaking even with the sale of my current rig, so I can put in $100-150 on top of the $100 or so I'll get for it. So, I'm looking at this rig:

GIGABYTE GA-770TA-UD3; AMD Phenom II X2 545 Callisto 3.0GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core; G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333

That'll run me around $280.

I was looking at the ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO but the Gigabyte has more PCI slots and more connectivity. While the ASUS seems geared towards a simpler machine and overclocking the Gigabyte looks like a board that's ready to handle lots of data. PCI slots was another factor because I won't be able to use my AGP dual-monitor card and have to use one of the pci video cards I have lying around until I buy another monitor worth setting up. Plus, better expandability for HDSP syncing and hopefully I'll even be able to use my other pci ice1712 soundcard which would be awesome. The eSata is attractive too because I'll probably migrate my pair of 120gb drives to a larger external, and also use an external drive for transporting projects from the "tracking studio" to the "mixing studio" (read, "parent's basement" and "apartment bedroom").

Any thoughts? I haven't seen anything but are there issues with 64studio/debian, the AMD770/710 chipset, or anything else I should know about? Thanks!

~Brian

[Chipfryer]

Hi Sonic.
Its a tough one to answer in all honesty? PC's are like us, very personal and we all like different tweaks here and there. I would seriously scan Ubuntu/Mint/Linux forums and check that others are not having hardware compatibility problems with different builds and distros. IT will save you one great big headache in the end.

I run a sata with no problems on Linux Mint 7 & 8 Jaunty/Karmic respectively. It looks ok to me however but if its for studio use then memory/CPU and most important the compatibility of your sound card will be the things to look for. If you can bang for it the 2496 Delta M-Audio (Soundcard) works out of the box.

I would too suggest a separate drive for storage folders to be honest.
Hope this helps? Probably not much, lets hope someone else chimes in.
Best regards.

[sonicolonic]

I've got seperate OS/storage drives, both sata, and an RME Multiface (which worked right out of the box, except for said symptoms, once I set the proper capture/playback channel counts in jack). But, I had issues installing this OS on a sata drive and now it seems like the controller is hogging resources.

I understand it's a hard question to answer, I'm just hoping if there are glaring issues with Linux audio and these motherboards someone could point that out to me. I haven't built a computer in a couple of years at least and am having the most trouble this time around as far as compatibility goes. I'm ready to take the plunge though once I can justify the cash (new recording computer vs. airfare to St. John Virgin Island).

The linux issues I've found for this chipset are for advanced features that I won't be need for a while, if ever... except for HPET, but that's because I don't understand what it is or how it works or if it pertains to recording in real-time.

I guess my concern is about any lag between linux development and new hardware, specifically if the AMD 770/710 chipsets are generally supported and functional.

~Brian

[spm_gl]

The only motherboard-related issues I have bumped into were related to Sata controllers and Ethernet chipsets. But only with old distributions. I remember not being able to install Etch (64studio 2) because it wouldn't recognize the harddrive. Not sure if Ubuntu Hardy (i.e. 64studio 3) is much better when it comes to modern hardware.
Have you tried a different distro, e.g. US Karmic, just to check if it creates the same problems?

[Chipfryer]

I think spm has it on this. I would however and sorry for sounding like a party pooper still stay with either Mint 7 or any other Jaunty release for now if switching from 64.

Also on 64 Studio there is an error in one language file, (You'll probably know this anyway). But in any case you'll have to switch your pc clock back in bios to avoid installation errors. I'd choose 64Studio if I was starting out. It did pick up all of my hardware even a free Flip camera.

[sonicolonic]

What's the issue with 64studio? I'm still kind of a Linux noob when it comes to customizing my system. I'm very much into learning new things, but I'm at a point where I just need to get some use out of what I already know before I lose more time learning something else.

Now that you mention it, I do remember having to change the BIOS clock. I think I had a hard drive issue but it's been too long to remember. I was building a couple of systems at the time and can't recall some of the details.

Doing more homework I'm finding myself bogged down with ideas like cas latency, wait states, memory timing, memory speed relative to processor speed, etc. gah.... I hate this part. So is it better to have a slower processor that's modulos to 0 with the ram speed, or should you just try to get the fastest everything, latency aside?

I was under the impression that AMD was linux friendly and Nvidia was not, but it seems like that might be different these days.

~Brian

[Chipfryer]

Hi Sonic.
In short there is nothing wrong with it. I believe one developer left an older language file within the build and within that there was a failsafe to stop people installing it in case of errors? At least that is what I've read. It would be my preferred choice but I want to know more about what I'm doing with Linux hence I'm going a harder way about it.

There is a thread on here regarding that and UbuntuStudio, so far I think 64 has it hands down on here at least.

I've not come across any mention of AMD not being compatible but I've had numerous errors with some builds and Nvidia, mostly on later builds. (My hardware is older). I'm pretty certain you will be just fine it is the the Graphics/Sound Card that you should check on really. 64Studio does have a forum. I'm pretty sure you can get the answers you need there too.

What's the issue with 64studio? I'm still kind of a Linux noob when it comes to customizing my system. I'm very much into learning new things, but I'm at a point where I just need to get some use out of what I already know before I lose more time learning something else.

Now that you mention it, I do remember having to change the BIOS clock. I think I had a hard drive issue but it's been too long to remember. I was building a couple of systems at the time and can't recall some of the details.

Doing more homework I'm finding myself bogged down with ideas like cas latency, wait states, memory timing, memory speed relative to processor speed, etc. gah.... I hate this part. So is it better to have a slower processor that's modulos to 0 with the ram speed, or should you just try to get the fastest everything, latency aside?

I was under the impression that AMD was linux friendly and Nvidia was not, but it seems like that might be different these days.

~Brian

[sonicolonic]

Gotcha, Chipfryer.

I'm waiting for admin approval for the 64studio forum.

Changed my cpu/ram selection a little and am feeling better about this build. Time to find the money and dive in.

~Brian

[Chipfryer]

Cool, good for you But don't be a stranger in here too yeah. Lot's of really nice and helpful folk around here Sonic.

Gotcha, Chipfryer.
I'm waiting for admin approval for the 64studio forum.
Changed my cpu/ram selection a little and am feeling better about this build. Time to find the money and dive in.
~Brian