I'd like to replace my main box. It's one of those Walmart Microtel
boxes that came with Linux installed. Here's what's happening: For a lot
of reasons, I'm moving a lot of my applications from console to X,
particularly using Firefox to run many of them. The problem is that on
this box (256M memory Via C3 with 64K cache), I'm getting a lot of
swapping and latency going on. So I'd like to get a box with more
horsepower.
Here's what I'm interested in:
1. Single-processor
2. 32 bit (*not* 64 bit)
3. 1GHz+ processor speed (decent on-chip cache, not 64k like this Via C3
chip I'm running)
4. 512M memory or more
5. CD/DVD drive
6. hard drive optional-- I'll stick an existing one in
7. AGP Video card (NO proprietary drivers). I'm not going to be playing
a lot of video games, but I'd like a nice responsive card. Doesn't have
to be 3D, but might be nice.
8. Linux-supported sound card
9. Floppy drive (occasionally needed)
10. NIC (optional-- I can find one to stick in)
11. I'd like to spend in the vicinity of $1000 (or less ;-)
I don't understand anything about the difference between DRAM, SRAM, EDO
RAM and such, nor do I understand "front side busses" etc. So I don't
really know how to integrate components, though I have no problem
installing hardware and putting things together.
I'm not fond of big name (Dell, HP) boxes, and am more in favor of white
box PCs.
Generally, CPUs, memory, hard drives, floppies, NICs and hard drives are
supported by Linux out of the box. I have three concerns, in decending
order of importance:
1. Video card support vs performance. You can buy really smoking Nvidia
and Matrox cards, but I don't want to use proprietary drivers. Most
cards will work in your AGP slot, but whether Linux supports them
without proprietary drivers is another matter.
2. System performance. I've heard nightmares about not having the timing
on your bus, memory, etc. in sync. If components aren't matched
properly, you can get lags and latency. I don't want to have this. I'd
like to make sure that everything fits and works together properly, but
I'm just not qualified to spec a system like this.
3. Sound card support. I don't care that much about sound, but sound
support has traditionally been a problem for Linux.
Okay, so long story short. What I'd like are the following:
1. Names of vendors who build systems like the above which will have
Linux support.
or
2. Links to *current* *updated* Linux hardware recommendation sites.
or
3. Specific hardware recommendations which adhere to the above.
I'd appreciate any assistance you 250 plus list members could provide.
Thanks.
-- Paul M. Foster ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This list is provided as an unmoderated internet service by Networked Knowledge Systems (NKS). Views and opinions expressed in messages posted are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of NKS or any of its employees.
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