>> Here's what I'm interested in:
>> 2. 32 bit (*not* 64 bit)
You might want to reconsider that. The Athlon 64 will run 32-bit software
just fine. There is no downside to using it, plus it's fast, cheap, and
allows you the option of changing to 64-bit code off in the distant future.
I'd select it over a Pentium 4 in a heartbeat.
Ken Elliott
=====================
-----Original Message-----
From: slug@nks.net [mailto:slug@nks.net] On Behalf Of Paul M Foster
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 12:43 PM
To: slug@nks.net
Subject: [SLUG] Yet Another Hardware Recommendations Thread
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.----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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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