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View Full Version : Advice/suggestions for new Linux machine?


pangea33
06-30-2009, 06:00 PM
There have been a lot of requests for input on new builds here recently, so I hope someone is willing to offer some input as I ask that question again.

I try to do my own research as much as possible before coming here to ask questions. So far I haven't really been able to find enough info to make me feel fully informed though. I have been running Ubuntu for about 2-3 years now and like it a lot. There is still a Windows machine in the house but 90% of the time I am using the Linux machine. I realize this machine is way behind the times in terms of hardware, but it is also maxed out with respect to the CPU and ram. It has the following specs:

* AMD Athlon XP 2400+ (2ghz)
* Biostar M7Vig Pro (http://www.biostar-usa.com/mbdetails.asp?model=M7VIG+PRO) mobo with 2 gigs of DDR ram
* ATI Radeon 9200se AGP card (ancient)
* 160 gig WD drive, 7200 rpm

Any gaming that I do is on a console at this point, so I realize I don't need a whole lot of power. I use my machine for the typical stuff like Internet browsing, playing music, and burning files to disc, but I also do a lot of development work on it. I develop sites with LAMP and start by creating them on my local environment before deploying anything to the server. This means that I have a lot of applications running at all times and transfer a lot of small files. I also do a lot of tar and gzip operations when deploying so I'm looking for a fast cpu.

I don't know if there are any major advantages of either AMD or Intel for my application. I just know that I want a decent amount of fast disk storage and a decent amount of ram. I was attempting a build list based on information gathered from people at my work, but many of the items they pointed me towards have been deactivated at Newegg.

Some of the decisions seem pretty straight forward to me at this point. I suspect I am looking for a PCI-E graphics card with SATA drives. I suppose where I'd like to start is to ask for suggestions on socket type and cpu architecture combinations. There are a lot to choose from and I don't really know where to start. My budget is around $800 with shipping. I'll need a case and power supply in addition to the cpu, ram, video card and drives. I will be using an existing monitor and input devices, and I'll be installing Ubuntu again so there is no need to purchase an OS.

I am just asking for suggestions on cpu/socket combinations first. I am not asking anyone to do all the research for me, although feel free to do as much as you want. :) After that I'll return with a preliminary shopping list and hopefully someone will help critique it. Any help on this would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

pangea33
07-01-2009, 10:56 PM
I am looking for any input on this as a potential build list. I am willing to buy a better power supply if necessary, but I think this Antec is probably suitable for my needs. It rated for up to 34a on the 12v rails. I am somewhere in the neighborhood of $700 right now, but I am pretty pleased with what I am looking at.

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387) - Retail - $110
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Callisto 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103680) - $103
G.SKILL 4GB PC2 8500 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166) - Retail - $50
WD 640GB SATA Hard Drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319) - OEM - $75 (2x for RAID)
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130325) - Retail - $110
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042) - Retail - $55
Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0 Power Supply (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007) - Retail - $75
SAMSUNG DVD Burner (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151175) - OEM - $23
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007) - OEM - $9

jlreich
07-02-2009, 12:10 AM
That PSU isn't going to cut it really. For a few bucks more get this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005). It will keep your system happy for along time. A larger single +12v rail is prefered. If you were going to go with on-board video and do nothing but surf and email then I would say the Antec would be fine.

The video card is a good price, but I would much rather get a GTS250, or a 4850 512MB for about the same price. These are more updated than the 8xxx series (2+ generations behind) and you can get one close to or at the same price... Honestly since you are not gaming you could go with a lesser card altogether. Up to you.

I would take left over budget and upgrade the CPU. I mean that's really where you want to sink your money into for what you do with the system. Minimum of a tri-core, preferably a quad. Definitely a quad (http://http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471) if you are compiling code and/or running vitrual machines for testing. But then again, you certainly haven't been running virtual machines with your Athlon 2400+. :p That's what my firewall machine has in it. :p :D

At least get an X3. ;) You have the budget for it. :)

And yes Ubuntu will use multi core CPUs very well. I am running Intrepid and it gobbles up my dual core when it needs it. Next upgrade for me is a quad since I run virtual machines in both Linux and windows and play games.

pangea33
07-02-2009, 03:39 PM
I started thinking about going with this power supply instead of the other pne I was looking at: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341019. It's just a little bit more and has 4 - 12v rails.

jlreich
07-02-2009, 04:30 PM
That's a good choice for you. I would prefer the Corsair with a single large +12v rail, but I am a gamer and need lots of amps for the video card/s, for your needs and the price that is a good unit. :)

pangea33
07-02-2009, 10:04 PM
Thanks a lot for the feedback. I appreciate your input. I can't wait for the packages to start arriving!

jlreich
07-03-2009, 07:24 AM
Just curious, what was your final list? Did you go with a tri or quad?