Any AMD owners out there?

[mark9117]

My mageia2-based HTPC has bitten the dust. It won't boot and I've tried replacing the video card, mobo, processor and RAM. I'm convinced that the mobo is bad. It's been returned on warranty, but the unit I received still won't boot and I get no beep codes. I'm giving up on that unit.

I plan to purchase a new mobo+CPU+RAM combo, but money is tight. I'm thinking about purchasing less expensive AMD components.

Do any of you run AMD boxes, particularly MythTV boxes? If so, are you satisfied with them?

Thanks.

Mark

[nigelc]

Hello,
I have an old amd/nvidia box. It's about 10 years old.

Code: Select all

ewok@endor ~]$ cat /proc/cpuinfo
processor   : 0
vendor_id   : AuthenticAMD
cpu family   : 15
model      : 47
model name   : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+
stepping   : 2
cpu MHz      : 1000.000
cache size   : 512 KB
fdiv_bug   : no
hlt_bug      : no
f00f_bug   : no
coma_bug   : no
fpu      : yes
fpu_exception   : yes
cpuid level   : 1
wp      : yes
flags      : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush mmx fxsr sse sse2 syscall nx mmxext fxsr_opt lm 3dnowext 3dnow pni lahf_lm
bogomips   : 2010.42
clflush size   : 64
cache_alignment   : 64
address sizes   : 40 bits physical, 48 bits virtual
power management: ts fid vid ttp tm stc


[jiml8]

I've been running AMD for years. My current workstation (phenom-II 955 overclocked, ASUS Sabertooth 990FX R2) with Mageia 3 is probably the most stable platform I've had for years.

[mark9117]

Good to know Nigel, thanks!

Any foibles or peculiarities that you've noticed running Mageia on that hardware?

Mark

[nigelc]

Hello Mark,
I originally had Fedora core 5 on this system and it needed updating. I tried to install Ubuntu, It refused to install to the second drive, so I installed Mandriva on the second drive /dev/sdb. After a while I switched to Mageia 1 now mageia 3. There have been some problems, but easy to fix. Mageia loves this hardware.
Download several desktops.. Then try them all. The fastest one is LXDE, also the smallest memory footprint. Try e10. I am waiting for the whole thing to go bung as it is old, the disk drives are too small.
I have been a computer engineer for over 40 years, so will keep it going until it cannot be fixed at all.
There is bug with opera browser in the preferences screen. The video looks like it's out of sync.
I have tried different nvidia drivers. The last one come in the kernel, the one before was complied after the kernel was installed.
This system still has a floppy drive!:)
Try tomsrtbt.

Nigel

[daniewicz]

old school AMD box with mageia 2

Code: Select all

$ cat /proc/cpuinfo
processor       : 0
vendor_id       : AuthenticAMD
cpu family      : 15
model           : 5
model name      : AMD Opteron(tm) Processor 244
stepping        : 1
cpu MHz         : 1793.374
cache size      : 1024 KB

[mark9117]

I appreciate the info.

I have since resolved this issue, at least for now. I have purchased and installed my fourth psu since February.

It's been a long stupid saga, but in summary I have replaced the psu 4 times, the mobo 3 times the cpu 3 times and the video card once.

The last psu I replaced tested ok with a multimeter, but I finally broke down and took it to a local computer retailer and they used an actual tester. They reported that one of the legs is bad. They sold me a 350 Watt Antec (to replace a 750 Watt something I can't remember) and it is working quite nicely.

Had that failed, I would be ordering an AMD-based cpu-mobo-ram combo. And I'm filing all this info away for the future when I'm likely to need it.

Thanks again.

Mark

[jiml8]

Never, ever employ a low quality power supply.

What is the one component in the system that every other component absolutely depends on? What is the one component in the system that, if it fails, can destroy every other component in the system?

And, with that knowledge, why would anyone ever put a cheap power supply to work powering their expensive computer?

The only site on the web that I have found which PROPERLY tests power supplies is http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/page/power. I would only purchase a power supply that is recommended by them.

[pete910]

Never, ever employ a low quality power supply.

What is the one component in the system that every other component absolutely depends on? What is the one component in the system that, if it fails, can destroy every other component in the system?

And, with that knowledge, why would anyone ever put a cheap power supply to work powering their expensive computer?

The only site on the web that I have found which PROPERLY tests power supplies is http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/page/power. I would only purchase a power supply that is recommended by them.

What he said, MB/cpu and such need stable power. Dont buy cheap psu's it will and looks like has cost you.

With regards amd systems , ran Amd all my life bar the p120 i had years ago

Currently running x6 1095t
Gigabyte ga-890fxa-ud5, never had problems with gigabyte boards, built alot with assus/asrock. all solid manufactures.
HD5870 gpu
Enermax PSU 600w

4 years ish i built this system.

Did think of upgrading but the cost layout ver speed increase to what i've got don't make it worth it, bar gpu .

Ps just upgraded to a 512 vertex 4 ssd(was on offer for £180 ) what a diff they make...

[wintpe]

Agree on PSU, absolutly right what everyone has said.

Personally i always go Corsair now, as enermax has just got toooooo expensive for much the same thing.

Corsair is a good balance between price and quality.

had nothing but trouble with coolmaster, and varying degrees of failure with nonames.

I too have a similar amd desktop system to jiml8

an asus crosshair V which is the sister to the sabretooth.

I run a six core 1100T and always Nvidea graphics.

for this system i run the Enermax 500, before they got too expensive.

when choosing the power rating look at average power and peak power.

my graphics card is capable of peaking to 250 watts, under windows, but under linux its unlikly to ever reach that level of power.

my CPU is rated at 140 watts max.

that leaves me 100watts to cover memory, motherboard and my single SSD.

You could say i am cutting it a bit close with that lot, but its been running like that for a good 3 years.

good quality PSU probably has something to do with that, ie it can exceed its rated value.

and I probably never stretch the system that far.

regards peter

[jiml8]

I always derate power supplies anywhere from 30% ro 50% when purchasing. This allows me room for expansion, tolerance for component aging in the PS, and keeps me from running the PS close to its max ratings - which I think is generally just a good idea. The cost differential of the larger supply is small, and the likely benefits justify it IMO.

[mefisto]

Recently i have a other computer, HP.
AMD Athlon, 64 processor 3700+ with NVIDIA G-Force card...
Must say, Mageia 3 works fine and me Nvidia card is well supported.
When i got that computer Windows 7 was included, first a have installed that system ( Not great it all ) After 3 day's Mageia 3 is installed and i have to say, LINUX is great, and Mageia is very good !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Greetings,
Mefisto

[jmsms]

for awhile I ran(lemme see if I remember the name) an Athlon II x2 regor 240 along with a geforce 7 series card and Asus m4a78plus board with Mageia 1 and 2 without any issue. I also upgraded the proc to a triple core AMD and did not experience any problems with that either.

[mefisto]

I have no problems with me NVIDIA card, it works so god as possible.
Thanks to Mageia, i tested others who claimed to have support for NVIDIA, but the configuration takes a lot off work, and after all i wont work. So GOOD work Mageia, keep it like this... THANKS !
Mefisto

[aussiejohn]

I have been using AMD and Nvidia exclusively ever since my first computer building years ago.
I have never been disappointed. I currently have 3 machines (2 with 8 core and 1 with 4 core) with this setup and two friends computers similarly setup. All memory is Corsair.

So yes you should be safe and good to go.

Cheers. John.

[mefisto]

I have been using AMD and Nvidia exclusively ever since my first computer building years ago.
I have never been disappointed. I currently have 3 machines (2 with 8 core and 1 with 4 core) with this setup and two friends computers similarly setup. All memory is Corsair.

So yes you should be safe and good to go.

Cheers. John.

I think those cards are realif good supported in some Linux-Distro's, we may never compaire it with other systems like Apple or Windows.
Linux is free, and is a big work to get everthing working out of the box... If i look back years ago, the restricted drivers are good supported.
Just me opinion... It must go NOT to fast, fast is never good, thinking that some relaeses are good for 6 monds , mostly one year.
If a LTS release is better, i don't now. For everyone that works on a new release there is a lot of study and work , so we must be greatfull for the work an the results. After all most Linux distro's are free.
Greetings to all,
Mefisto

[ebirah]

Mark, I recommend investing in a decent UPS unit with line conditioning and/or having the wall outlet where you plug in your computer tested. That much fried hardware sounds like bad power, potentially. Even the cheap trash PSUs usually don't strike out that often.

I've been using AMD hardware for a long time- I think the first computer I ever built had an Athlon XP Barton proc I bought used from a friend. I've never had any complaints. In addition to better budget offerings, AMD is much nicer than Intel about keeping sockets around or making them backwards compatible. My current proc is a 4 year old Phenom II X4 which has seen use with three motherboards and two sockets (AM2+, AM3.) Seems pretty good. The general longevity of my hardware has depended on UPS protection and keeping water on the opposite side of the desk more than anything, but Asus and Gigabyte are usually safe choices for a motherboard.

Video card compatibility is really all you need to worry about for an HTPC. Nvidia has had the best Linux drivers, and any card made within the last 6 years should have VDPAU support. ATI/AMD has started adding support for it with some of their cards, but I haven't done any research as to how well it works currently.

I've been really impressed by Mageia 3, I have a GTX 460 video card and the proprietary driver was set up by the installer. I was able to run updates, install Steam, and play Portal without touching anything. All my hardware just works, it feels really weird.