recommend me a new linux PC

K

kooldino

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Apr 16, 2001
Messages
1,042
So 6 months or so back, my linux box crapped out on me. It was an athlon tbird on an asus a7v133 (kt133a chipset).

I'm not sure what's wrong with that rig (it started locking up shortly after boot...regardless of OS), but it's done it's time, so I'd rather replace the parts rather than diagnose it.

What I'm looking for:

-STABLE

-cheap - it doesn't have to be a speed demon by any stretch. I only play with this box on occasion.

-compatible - I want it to have components that have good linux driver support

parts in question -

-motherboard - good chipset, stable, compatible. I'd be happy with on board sound and NIC as long as the linux support for it was good. SATA controller a plus. If there's such a thing as on board 802.11n, that's a big plus too.

-1GB of RAM - I'd be happy with something cheap and reliable, so long as it's not terribly slow.

-CPU/HSF - 64 bit CPU, cheap. Dual core a plus, but not required. I also don't want a loud HSF.

-PSU - whatever is reliable and required to run this machine

-video card - can be on board, but ultimately I'd want something compatible with the board that has good linux support, and that can run beryl without issue.

I'm going to re use my old case and drives, so don't worry about those.
 
I'm not sure how pertinent this is to mobos, but for linux I'd be looking at an nvidia gfx card and a wireless cards with good support (hostap or atheros). The rest is pretty peripheral. Audigy cards and well as onboard Realtek audio are both well supported by *nix, and I've yet to find any standard netcards that didn't have drivers. Just remember that many mobo software features will be pointless (nforce firewall etc.)
 
Yeah, I'm not interested in the software features and such, I just want something that works and works well.
 
I just put Kunbuntu on an old PC a couple weeks ago. It was my first time trying to use a linux based OS. In about an hour I was on the web without even installing a driver. From light reading beforehand it seemed a PC with older rather than newer components might have better chance of haiving support. Nvidia cards seem to be easier to use than ATI. Even ATI couldn't make problem free drivers for their cards since they use more complicated mathmatical models so it's not a surpise Linux systems might choke on ATI.
 
I've got FC7 (64-bit) running on a modern system; Asus P5N32-E, C2D E6420, 2GB Ballistix, and a 7300GS. Can't complain about hardware incompatibilities here. (Everything in the system is either Intel or nVIDIA really).

Just...stay far far far away from anything with "ATI" written on it if you want painless 3D in nix.
 
I heard the new on board intel video controllers have nice linux support as well.
 
I had integrated video on my Intel 845G mobo and I think that helped the ease of operation - as far as gettingt up and running with the basics goes.
 
You can get a dell e520n for 409 bucks plus shipping and whatnot with their new linux program. Thats with a 64 bit processor(core2), 1 gig of ram and a 250 gig sata drive. That is with onboard video but it would be easy enough to throw in a nvidia card(dell wants like 50 bucks for a low end one). The dell will be pretty quite too.

Not sure what hard drives, case, optical drives, etc your going to reuse but a core2, bottem end mb and a gig of ram, along with a lower to mid range power supply that isn't shit is going to run you at least 250. Prob closer to 300 if you get a good mb.

Figure with the dell you know the hardware in it will run with linux as thats what they ship on it. Also with it being a BTX oem system it should be pretty quite. System has gigabit lan, 4 memory slots, etc. Considering the hardware has a warranty all though a single company is also a plus.

Personaly I would look at the dell, maybe bump up the proc or video but thats about it. Video you can even prob find for less. Only thing you would then need is a wireless card with linux support.
 
That's not a bad idea, but it's more than I'm willing to spend for just a toy.

I'm figuring on mobo + cpu = $150 (with on board video, sound, and LAN)

RAM $80

PSU $50

Total = 280
 
kooldino said:
That's not a bad idea, but it's more than I'm willing to spend for just a toy.

I'm figuring on mobo + cpu = $150 (with on board video, sound, and LAN)

RAM $80

PSU $50

Total = 280
Click to expand...

Worth asking if you can sell some of the parts you were planning on saving?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top