[GRLUG] Speccing a Linux system

[rh90p at comcast.net]

Based on my recent experience, I would be very careful and make my choices based on the hardware compatibility lists.  I have had a number of boards recently that will not run Linux properly.  The problems I have had center around RAID SATA controllers and from what I read that issue is key with a lot of other users as well.  I recently traded in an ASUS A8V-Deluxe (and a CUV4X-LS) for an ASUS M2A which does work although I am not able to get it to update or install packages that weren't in the original install.  I wanted a P5K but couldn't find one locally so I settled for what I could get.  Now I'm kicking myself.  I lost 4 PCI slots and Firefire but gained a PCI-Express slot.

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Michael Mol" <mikemol at gmail.com>
> So I'm speccing out a Linux system, and I thought I'd share the
> components I'm looking at right now, and see what the rest of you
> folks may have been looking at lately.  My focus for this box is to
> have an AFFORDABLE machine that performs better than my current
> Pentium 4 desktop with 1GB of RAM, yet has room to cheaply upgrade in
> the future.  As such, I looked at Newegg components that were
> highly-rated, but were also fairly cheap.  I also stuck with an AMD
> platform because AMD platforms tend to be cheaper right now. (And I
> like AMD.)  I'm not going for the fastest computer, just something I
> can buy on a budget.
> 
> OCZ Platinum 4GB DDR2 1066 RAM kit - I wanted 4GB of RAM.  I'll be
> running 64-bit Linux, and I wanted as much RAM as I could afford to
> drop in. I wanted DDR2 1066 because it'll be easier to get my hands on
> in the future than, say, DDR2 800. (I've already run into this problem
> before when seeking to upgrade the RAM on older systems...)
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227298
> 
> AMD Phenom 8450 - I would have gone with a dual-core processor, but I
> wanted DDR2 1066, DDR2 1066 requires socket AM2+, and there weren't
> any dual-core socket AM2+ CPUs listed.
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103254
> 
> Western Digital Caviar Blue 80GB - I'm only going with one of these
> until someone comes out with an 8GB SLC solid-state disk.  I don't
> want or need a large drive for my / mount point; Ubuntu takes less
> than 5GB on my desktop machine.  In the mean time, this drive is cheap
> and highly-rated.
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822135106
> 
> Rosewill 500W PSU - I have no intention of using fancy video cards, so
> even 500W is overkill for this computer; They recommend 550W if you're
> running an SLI configuration, which means I could probably throw in a
> single high-end video card if I ever got tired of the onboard video.
> (Such as if I want to go dual-screen.)
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182009
> 
> BIOSTAR TFORCE TA780G motherboard - Similarly-specced boards cost
> twice as much, and the onboard video is more than powerful enough for
> my needs.
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138105
> 
> There are a few components you'll notice are missing, like case,
> monitor, etc.  I'm reusing components I already have around the house
> for these roles, so I don't have to buy new ones.
> 
> The final price for the listed components? $375.96
> 
> 
> -- 
> :wq
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