I'd like to try setting up a ultra quiet MythTV front end for HDTV 1080p playback. I've picked up an Antec NSK2400 box and leaning towards using the following hardware:

ABIT NF-M2 mATX board
AMD Athlon 64 x2 3800
Thermalright SI-128 Fanless
2 x 512mb Corsair XMS
XFX 7600GS Fanless Video Card
2.5" notebook hard drive


Comments appreciated!

I was looking at almost the same hardware that you were. I already have the same case. Going with an artic cooling freezer 64 pro instead of the SI-128. The nf-m2 is on order. I am in the process of deciding between the x2 3800 and x2 4200.

What did you end up going with if you don't mind? How is it working for you? I have an amd 64 3500 right now and it can playback hd content pretty smooth. Just once in awhile I see a micro second freeze. Good otherwise. I am hoping the x2 as a dedicated frontend will make playback as good or better than my cable set top box.

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Note that the 65w x2's are really quiet with the stock boxed cooler from AMD. I put a Zalman super-duper heatpipe/big fan cooler on the 65w 4600+ mythbox in the living room, was happy that it was inaudible (other than the drives, that is), then upgraded a windows box to same mobo and a 65w 4200+ w/boxed cooler, can't hear that one either. Hmmph.

I just heard that the NF-M2 are soon to be discontinued and replaced.

Abit has released info on a new Intel cpu based mATX (F-I90HD) based on ATI Radeon Xpress 1250 chipset. This chipset promises 1080p and HDCP playback. Reading various web articles, some say this board is currently available in Germany. some speculate that the board will be available mid 2007.

Will the NF-M2 replacement be an mATX based on AMD AM2 and Xpress 1250 chipset?

My biggest concern is whether this combo is Linux MythTV compatible.