new mainboards...

[VJ]

But servers are something different... I can imagine that it is easier to prioritize compatibility for them.

I don't remember what was wrong with the Windows 7 compatibility (it was not my task to fix it) some years ago, but I do remember it required some third party patch, from I don't know which source...

Apparently there is a new microcode for the Arrowlake processors, with the aim to improve the performance, but first indications are that it does not change much... As I don't have that much time at the moment to play with a new computer, I may as well hold out.

[Umfriend]

Sure. My point was more that server CPU basically run everything and if there are no compatability issues there then prolly not with consumer products either? Hard to say without knowing what this issue was of course. Could be, just think it is very unlikely.

Then again, I had to use a certain VPN software to connect to a client and it did not like my Killer E2500 controller. Very weird.

[VJ]

I've decided to wait a bit... no good promotions, and it promises to get busy at work at the beginning of next year. Let's see if Intel manages to fix Arrowlake...
I have some other things in the mean time to work on: I need to replan my network, too many devices and I need to be more systematic with static dhcp in order to have it easier, and am working on further home automation integration - it became more pressing since one master-slave socket list died and I managed to score an IP/IR/RS232/relay controller - https://kanexpro.com/item/CR-3XCONTROL - I can integrate it with my home automation to both have IR control from my home automation app, and have it switch sockets much smarter than the master-slave socket list could. But first I need to physically install it all...

[VJ]

Just checking again, and apparently there are much more interesting options for the B860 chipset mainboards... Asus has a few options with multiple (well positioned) PCIe slots - one mainboard would even have 4 available slots (Prime B860-plus WIFI: 1 x4, 3 x1) if the videocard does not occupy more than two slots, and it has 2 M.2 slots... MSI has an option with 3 available PCIe slots if the videocard is not more than two slots wide (Pro 860-P Wifi, 1 x4, 2 x1) and it has 3 M.2 slots. Both have 5.1 audio jacks on the backpanel (Asus adds an internal spdif header). Both have Realtek NIC - I would prefer Intel but ok.Of course those mainboards are not intended to run 2 videocards, but as that is a distant idea, I could compromise with the offered featureset. It is looking more interesting again...

[UtwigMU]

I decided to hold out with B550-F for now and maxed the RAM at 128GB. Looking to upgrade video card but Geforce 5000 series is very scarce and overpriced on launch. For video and AI the Geforce 5000 is better than 4000 - currently on 3006.

[UtwigMU]

I decided to hold out with B550-F for now and maxed the RAM to 128GB. Looking to upgrade video card but Geforce 5000 series is very scarce and overpriced on launch. For video and AI the Geforce 5000 is better than 4000 - currently on 3006.

The Rog Strix B860 has Intel LAN.

[VJ]

MSI came out with more Z890 mainboards with ample slots... The Pro Z890-A Wifi and the Pro Z890-P Wifi... They seem identical, but one has a Thunderbolt 4 connector instead of a PCIe slot... Looking at current videocards, one has to consider that most cards are 2-3 slots, so any slot in those positions is likely to be unusable, which means it may be more beneficial to have an extra Thunderbolt 4 connector than a PCIe slot that is not accessible if the videocard takes up more than 2 slots...

I'm not stubborn on the Intel LAN, but just puzzled that it became so rare.The Rog Strix B860 only has one PCIe slot (when there is a videocard)... It looks hard to find a mainboard that has more than three slots in total, due to the double/triple slot size of the current videocards and the positioning of the slots. Theoretically, there are 7 slot openings, counting 3 taken for a videocard leaves 4 possible. But not many mainboards put all slots 2 openings away from the video card, and then not many have systems for selecting the lanes (MSI has a mainboard where PCIe lines are either used for a PCIe slot, or for an M2 slot). But of course it is expensive.

At the moment, I'm thinking of upgrading the system (mainboard, cpu , memory) and keeping the videocard. My old system has onboard video, which - for its intended use as server / work computer would suffice for the time being. I have no urgent need to upgrade the videocard (currently playing Assassin's Creed 1, which works fine on my GTX1070 and working my way through the Assassin's Creed series), but just want to have the mainboard well chosen. Either way I'm limited to 240mm length of videocards (not 100% sure if the stands of the hdd case would not be blocking if I were to remove it), and shorter cards tend to come later - MSI already has a 5070 that is short enough. I'm guessing that given the airflow in the case, I should not venture to higher cards anyway, but I'd have to see when the time comes what is available.

[UtwigMU]

Midrange cards come in 2-slot form and you can also look into water cooling. If you plan on getting 3-slot videocard, don't limit yourself with short case.

Look into removing HDD cage (put SSDs in 5.25 drive) or changing case.

Deepsek R1 and AI models are interesting so you might want to upgrade video card sooner or have room for AI/compute/video editing card besides your display card.

If I upgrade to 5070 Ti my 750W PSU is enough but if I'll go to higher or keep additional videocard so I can use VMs with videocard, then I need to upgrade PSU before. The whole PCIe 5 ATX 3.0/3.1 new cables make things more complicated.

[VJ]

I don't want to change the case: it is my HTPC, and it is a beautiful case (important as it sits on an open design shelf). I don't need the highest level videocard, and already now MSI has a 2.5 slot wdual fan RTX5070 that would fit without removing the hdd cage (it is blocking longer cards when empty, but its mount points may still be blocking even when the cage is removed - I have 2 more 3.5" places and most mainboards have a number of M2 slots). I thought about watercooling to be sure to have sufficient cooling, but I'd have to go with a custom loop to get the radiator outside - still an option as it may look interesting with some nice radiator on the side.
But ...
Some things changed and we are actually planning some other big changes in our life which would negate the need for an upgraded htpc for a while so I may just abandon the whole plan of upgrading it. It was fun looking for it and looking at mainboards, but for now I'm shelving the idea. We'll evaluate some things later this year (when the main research projects on which we work finish) and then see.

[VJ]

Just to entertain the thought... what about going externally with the videocard, rather than watercooling...?

Even the RTX5090 doesn't suffer too much from a slower bus ( https://videocardz.com/newz/geforce-...-spell-trouble ), so lower models would have virtually no issues on e.g. a Thunderbolt 5 eGPU dock (once they come out). Rather than keep the card in the case, one could consider just moving the card outside on a thunderbolt cable, with its own PSU, perhaps in its own enclosure - or even not, many videocards already look completely enclosed. Cooling would not be an issue... It would make it interesting to get a TB5 mainboard then...

I even wonder if something like this might not work: https://www.adt.link/product/F3637V4.html , to put the card outside, but it is impossible to find more details on this.

[UtwigMU]

If changing case from custom HTPC would spoil the style of your living room, external GPU unless tucked away would be even more of an eyesore.

Anyway with videocards it seems 5070 Ti will cost 1000 EUR, 5080 1500-2000 for some time. Since there is a shortage AMD cards will cost as well.

[VJ]

There would be a chance to tuck it away (while allowing cooling)... Perhaps even in a more elegant enclosure (just needs to hold a PSU and the videocard)...just wondering how it would be from practical point of view... Something I'd never had considered before, but apparently it becomes more of a possibility.