Hello everyone,
My 6-year old A64 system died recently, so I need to build a new system. After much reading, I'm down to this initial configuration.
I'm not wedded to AMD or Intel. I'll be running 64-bit Ubuntu. I'm leaning toward the C2D E8500, since it has virtualization support. The budget is somewhat tight, unfortunately. I'll probably reuse my Antec Sonata case. I don't need RAID. I'll run at stock speed or perhaps a mild overclock. I'm trying to keep this under $600 for the initial configuration.
Motherboard and CPU: E8500/Asus P5KPL-CM combo, $235 at Fry's. I've shied away from mATX boards in the past: am I being silly? Intel onboard graphics don't have the best rep, but may be all I need. I probably will add discrete graphics in the future, though. I'd be open to a good board with nVidia hybrid SLI support.
I don't know how I missed tha Anandtech guide previously, but it has refined my thinking a bit. I'm now looking at the Asus P5Q, but it wants the spendy DDR 1200 RAM (ouch!)
PSU: I may up the PSU to something in the 600 - 620W range.
GPU: Open question. Leaning toward nVidia, since their Linux drivers still are ahead of ATI. May take a chance on Radeon 4850 and improved Linux support.
RAM: 4 GB DDR2 1066. Does Intel have same limitation as AM2+, that 1066 is only supported single channel? If so, I'll probably change this to 4 gigs DDR2 800.
HSF: Xigmatek HDT-S1283.
HDD: WD Caviar SE16 640 GB.
Monitor: Reusing my old 19" LCD for the moment. Hope to upgrade in a few months.
DVD burner: In for a penny, in for a pound. I'm adding a Samsung SATA unit rather than reuse my old Plextor PATA drive.
Thanks for reading and commenting. I'm open to any and all suggestions. I'm looking to get this done between now and the end of the month.
My 6-year old A64 system died recently, so I need to build a new system. After much reading, I'm down to this initial configuration.
I'm not wedded to AMD or Intel. I'll be running 64-bit Ubuntu. I'm leaning toward the C2D E8500, since it has virtualization support. The budget is somewhat tight, unfortunately. I'll probably reuse my Antec Sonata case. I don't need RAID. I'll run at stock speed or perhaps a mild overclock. I'm trying to keep this under $600 for the initial configuration.
Motherboard and CPU: E8500/Asus P5KPL-CM combo, $235 at Fry's. I've shied away from mATX boards in the past: am I being silly? Intel onboard graphics don't have the best rep, but may be all I need. I probably will add discrete graphics in the future, though. I'd be open to a good board with nVidia hybrid SLI support.
I don't know how I missed tha Anandtech guide previously, but it has refined my thinking a bit. I'm now looking at the Asus P5Q, but it wants the spendy DDR 1200 RAM (ouch!)
PSU: I may up the PSU to something in the 600 - 620W range.
GPU: Open question. Leaning toward nVidia, since their Linux drivers still are ahead of ATI. May take a chance on Radeon 4850 and improved Linux support.
RAM: 4 GB DDR2 1066. Does Intel have same limitation as AM2+, that 1066 is only supported single channel? If so, I'll probably change this to 4 gigs DDR2 800.
HSF: Xigmatek HDT-S1283.
HDD: WD Caviar SE16 640 GB.
Monitor: Reusing my old 19" LCD for the moment. Hope to upgrade in a few months.
DVD burner: In for a penny, in for a pound. I'm adding a Samsung SATA unit rather than reuse my old Plextor PATA drive.
Thanks for reading and commenting. I'm open to any and all suggestions. I'm looking to get this done between now and the end of the month.