Linux Build

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OldM3ta

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Jun 6, 2004
Messages
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I want to have a machine that will run Fedora, OpenSUSE, or Ubuntu well enough that I won't see delays in operations.


1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
I intend to use the box for distributed computing, language compilation (like c++), and to be a server on which I'll learn http, database, and a few other services (maybe picture and video sharing across the network or firewall services). I also am hoping to use the machine to learn multi-threaded programming on the CPU, and maybe eventually, the GPU.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
The cheaper the better. Around $400 would be great including everything.
3) Where do you live? Orlando, FL
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
Everything. I have nothing right now. I guess a crossfire or SLI solution would serve the dual-GPU needs, unless there is a better solution that has good Linux support (maybe dual-gpu card, or GPU/on-board GPU combo?)
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
No parts to re-use.
6) Will you be overclocking?
No. I am hoping to have this running often, if not always, so the less the power-draw, the better.
7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
I have a 19" 1440x900 that has an available input.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
In the next two weeks.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
See #4, also, no special needs for high power 3D or quality sound. Prefer SATA over IDE, but can go with IDE if necessary. Four USB would be good, but two is enough.


What do you guys recommend? Linux user recommendations would be most appreciated!
 
Looks like a friend from work has an nVidia 7950 GX2 PCI express card. That should work for the dual GPU with one slot.
 
Danny Bui
This looks good. I will definitely be considering your build and will probably shell out for it Friday. Thanks a ton.
 
Actually, if I were wanting to go with a quad-core, which would you recommend that would suite this build? Any without the TLB bug?
 
MeTaSpARKs said:
Actually, if I were wanting to go with a quad-core, which would you recommend that would suite this build? Any without the TLB bug?
Click to expand...

The Phenom 9850 BE is the cheapest quad-core CPU sans TLB bug that I can find at $147 over at newegg. But I think you would have to up your budget by another $50 and remove tax and shipping from consideration in order to fit the Phenom CPU.

EDIT: Oh and is there a Tigerdirect store near you?
 
Not yet, but soon there will be a TigerDirect store. Were you going to recommend a case from there? The Phenom 9850 BE might do, but I will consider the dual-core since almost $100 dollar less. I can still learn parallel programming with two cores, but four would be better. How much do you think I should offer my co-worker for his 7950 GX2 card? $40?
 
MeTaSpARKs said:
Not yet, but soon there will be a TigerDirect store. Were you going to recommend a case from there? The Phenom 9850 BE might do, but I will consider the dual-core since almost $100 dollar less. I can still learn parallel programming with two cores, but four would be better. How much do you think I should offer my co-worker for his 7950 GX2 card? $40?
Click to expand...

$40 sounds about right. But what programming language/environment/architecture will you be using on that 7950GX2?

And yes I was about to recommend just getting a case from Tigerdirect to cut down on costs if you want that Phenom 9850 BE that badly. And in any case, I highly recommend getting this budget PSU:
Corsair 400CX 400W PSU - $60
 
Awesome. Looks good. I might just go with the dual core processor. Like I said before, for 1/3rd the price, I can probably pass on the additional heat and cost of the quad core processor, and yet still benefit from the multi-core environment.

I am not sure what architecture I will be using for the 7950GX2. I'm thinking something like CUDA, but I'm a beginner to GPU programming. My gut tells me there is a way to program for two GPU cores on Linux though. :)

I'll keep this thread updated once I decide on what to purchase and then on how I eventually set up the rig. Thanks for all your help.
 
MeTaSpARKs said:
I am not sure what architecture I will be using for the 7950GX2. I'm thinking something like CUDA, but I'm a beginner to GPU programming. My gut tells me there is a way to program for two GPU cores on Linux though. :)
Click to expand...

AFAIK, CUDA only works on 8800 series cards and newer, not 7900 series. In fact most of the open available GPU programming architectures I know of are only for the newer cards built on shader tech like the 8800 series and the HD3800 series.
 
This is a really good point, DB. I looked at the nVidia and turns the most affordable card to get for CUDA is the 8400GS. ( http://www.nvidia.com/object/cuda_learn_products.html ) Finding one that has a SLI connector is tricky. I found this 8500GT that does for $40 bucks ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814141066 ).

Now I guess I just need a replacement to the Gigabyte 780G board you recommended that has support nVidia SLI cards and is in my price range. All NewEgg has is the MSI K9N SLI-F v2 for $79.99 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130168 ) but that almost seems like too much.

I'll be happy with the dual core processor, CUDA enabled GPU in SLI, so I can have two CPU cores and two GPU cores to learn parallel programming on.
 
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