Cheap build for messing around with Linux...

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papagiannakos

Weaksauce
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Aug 14, 2008
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Hello all, I am looking to build something very simple -- just a test box for Linux or WHS. Nothing fancy, I just want a standalone system to experiment with, separate from my main PC.

The two most important goals of this build are price (around $350 shipped) and Linux hardware compatibility. Really the cheaper I can go the better -- I don't want any extra power than I need for this basic stuff.

I've been looking at the MSI Wind Nettop 100 (with the Dual Core Atom processor). But I wouldn't mind building my own if there were better options for a motherboard and CPU.

I could use some advice in choosing a CPU and Motherboard, specifically.


1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Mainly testing out installations of Linux (Ubuntu), basic OS tasks (web browsing.)

I may also try WHS out for a small home file server.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$350 including tax/shipping

3) Where do you live?
U.S.

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.

CPU
PSU
RAM
Case
Mobo
HDD

(I already have a monitor, keyboard/mouse, and an external USB optical drive)

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific
None.

6) Will you be overclocking?
No.

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
I will be connecting this system to my main PC's monitor through a spare VGA input. The monitor is 1920x1080 so I'd like to output the desktop at that res (again I'm not using it for any games or video)

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
This month.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Most importantly, I want a cheap motherboard that is fully compatible with Linux.

RAID support would be great too.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? 32bit or 64bit?
64-bit OS. I'll be installing Ubuntu or if Windows something from Technet.


Thanks.
 
I'm not really familiar with American shops n stuff, so search this yourself:

CPU + MoBo:
Zotac has a Nvidia ION mobo with the Atom 330 for around $200. You could prolly get one for around $120 if I'm not mistaken but that would be the 230 Atom CPU and no wireless etc.
PSU + case;
Any mitx case, but make sure you have an EXTERNAL psu (like a laptop). Shouldn't be more than $50.
RAM:
1GB / 2GB of any 667 ddr2 ram shouldn't come more than around $50
HDD:
If your case has space for a 3.5 disk take the cheapest you can get, otherwise you could just run any linux off a usb drive.

I have a HTPC-kinda rig at home like this and it runs ubutnu just fine. I paid €250 in Europe (Slovenia), so it shouldn't be much more (it should even be less) in America. The mobo (which includes the cpu) is the thing that impacts the price, so it's your choice what you want to have on it. Personally I wouldn't take anything that doesn't have Nvidia ION (HD playback) and I would suggest having wireless already on the mobo - such builds don't have much luck with extra cards ;)

EDIT:
Oh and take a look at this (it's something like what I suggested):
link - nettop style thingy - $300
link - slightly bigger style thingy - $300
link - some Zotac mobo with the n330 and wireless - $180
link - some Zotac mobo with the n230 . $120
 
Last edited:
I'd recommend this setup:
Danny Bui said:
Just in case you can't find a prebuilt:
$117 - AMD Athlon II X2 240 CPU + GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard combo FS
$39 - WINTEC 3AXT6400C5-2048K 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 RAM FS
$50 - Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive FS
$86 - Antec NSK4480 ATX Case with Antec Earthwatts 380W PSU
----
Total: $290 plus tax (Shipping already added for case/PSU combo)
Click to expand...
 
Danny Bui's build has more power, so go for it if you want something more desktop-like. My build is something that is more ideal for a HTPC-style computer since it can be passively cooled and the such.
 
~m3 said:
Danny Bui's build has more power, so go for it if you want something more desktop-like. My build is something that is more ideal for a HTPC-style computer since it can be passively cooled and the such.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I plan on keeping this thing on all the time, but I already run my quad system all the time anyway.

I probably would lean with a little more power just in case I end up using it more often. That's still nicely under $350 which is cool.
 
Yeah I'm going to take a couple more days to decide between the fully custom builds or one of the barebones like the Nettop. I was leaning towards a custom build/mobo/case in terms of upgradability, even if I just gutted the case in the future for something else.
 
Have you considered just using a VM instead of a dedicated test box?
 
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