Linux throwaway

[beerbelly]

I've got an idea for a build.
I kind of like having a primary and back-up system.
I want to try out linux, but don't want to give up either my primary, or back-up.
Let's assume case, PS, optical, and all periferials are present.
You can also assume this hard drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144701) is present also since I'm going to buy it anyway for a RAID 0 set-up.
I guess what I'm asking for is a dirt cheap MoBo and CPU to buy just to try out LINUX, and further my limited building skills. I want to consider it disposable.
I know how to spend money :p , just not how to get only what I need to get the job done.
Thank you in advance

[pop pop]

First, if you're going to build with "disposable" in mind, you really can't build around that HDD given that it's SATA 3.0. I'll come back to this later.

If you want to build with minimal expense and "disposable" in mind, canabalize get parts from old systems lround the house or from friends. Use what you can use and add where you need to. You only really need the barest of essentails: mobo with onboard LAN, video, and sound--with or without CPU, a new CPU if the mobo doesn't have one or it''s defective, an optical drive, adequate RAM (I recommend 512MB), a serviceable HDD (an old 7200 IDE is fine here and smaller size, say 40-80GB is enough), and I recommend a floppy. You can find these parts anywhere--friends, trash picking, your own "junk". Any old case will do, but get a new-ish budget PSU if you go this route.

If you choose to build around that HDD, you can still go "on the cheap", and put together a very good system that is upgradeable and can be converted back to a windoze-based (yuk) box, should you change your mind. Here's what I threw together for around $500:

ASUS P5LD2-VM mobo (heck of a mobo, onboard everything but has PCIe-16 slot available for graphics upgrade and will handle dual core CPUs (Intel) (cost was and is still $106, I think)
Intel 2.8Ghz, 64-bit Celeron-D CPU (I forget the price $123 maybe, but it's a bargain)
Antec Solutions case (($59)
HDD (yours is compatible)
Corsair Value RAM (DDR2) I went with 1GB for about $75
Lite-On CDRW/DVDRW dual layer (a little over $40, I think)
Antec SilentPower? PSU (I think it's 350 watts and costed about $40)
Floppy (had one laying around)

The rest of my stuff for this Linux box was aslo recycled stuff and everthing went together and worked perfectly. This is a fully functional, fully featured box with upgrade capability, should I ever decide to do so. All parts are available from Newegg. I'll look around some and throw together my updated"budget Linux box" recommendations soon.

[beerbelly]

Thanks, that is a good thought. I also had the thought to put the new drive in my system, then putting LINUX on it, and having a LINUX drive and a windows drive. Once I get to the point that I am comfortable with it I will go and install it in my spare comp. That is the cheapest way out since I'm buying the hard drive anyway. Now, as usual, I can't make up my mind.

[jcnoernberg]

you can esaily get a "throw away" for $50.00 on ebay... local pickup in any city.

[saphalline]

I think you really just have to decide how much you want to spend on this "throw away" hardware. Used systems are cheaper but you won't be buying new parts. New hardware comes with the full warranty but is more expensive. There's always a catch either way. :rolleyes: So I guess your budget and peace of mind would be the only factors.