Hi, I've been lurking here at AnandTech for a while, preparing to build a new system for the first time. I've never done this before, so there's a lot to learn.
First I'll tell you what the PC will be used for, and then I'll list the parts I'm thinking of using. I'm not going to include links to newegg or prices since I live in France and will be buying from a series of shops located in Paris rather than online (except for one or two components). Also, I won't be buying most parts before the sale period in January when prices go down, but I have a store credit to use now to get started.
Edit: I changed the summary of this topic to reflect the fact that I'm looking for opinions on whether the system I'm thinking of building is overkill, in particular for a Linux user.
Use of the computer
This PC will NOT be used for gaming. It will run Linux exclusively. I have been using Slackware Linux on an old laptop for almost a year now, so that's not a problem for me. I will probably try out several other Linux distributions, though: the 64-bit versions of SuSE, Ubuntu, and Gentoo. I have looked into hardware compatibility for Linux for the parts already.
I have no experience with overclocking, but I'll probably give it a try. However, it's not enough of a priority that I want to buy special (expensive) OC parts.
The computer will have 3 main functions:
1) Office: working with book-length texts in OpenOffice and Scribus, web, email, some apps that need Wine.
2) Etherboot to run the laptop I currently use - this will allow it to run programs it can't run too well right now.
3) Media: I plan to rip my CD collection to hard disk, watch DVDs, and eventually install PVR hardware (probably the Plextor USB PVR with TV tuner, since Plextor is emphasizing Linux support. I'll be waiting to see if a PCI version is introduced for Europe - currently it's only available in and for Japan).
Parts list, with commentary
I've used the AnandTech mid-range system buyer's guide as a starting point, the AMD-based office version.
CPU:
AMD 3800+ X2 retail for the warranty and HSF
Since the CPU will be running 2 computers, I think dual-core will be useful.
Mainboard:
EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra OR MSI K8N Neo Platinum
In France, there is no price difference between these 2 boards. The Epox board seems to have a better reputation. However, the MSI board has 2 NICs (and I would use both of them with the etherboot setup), and the Epox has fewer PCI slots if I wanted to add a second NIC to it. So I haven't decided between the two.
RAM:
OCZ Value, 2 X 1 GB
2 GB to help run 2 computers, and I think value RAM will be fine for me.
GPU:
nVidia 6600GT (brand will depend on prices).
Maybe even that's overkill? Maybe a regular 6600 would be enough. Remember, I won't be gaming much, if at all. I would like to be able to run accelerated graphics in X, though. nVidia for the Linux support. I like the Gigabyte card with the passive cooling, but the VIVO functions aren't supported in Linux so I don't know that it's worth the extra cost.
DVD burner:
NEC 3540
HDD:
I'd like to start with a boot drive and a storage drive:
boot: Raptor 74 GB
storage: Hitachi SATA 250GB T7K250 NCQ
My heart is not set on a Raptor, I can't decide if I think it's worth the extra price. I realize this has been debated to death. If not a Raptor, maybe the 160 GB version of the Hitachi instead?
PSU:
Seasonic S12 430W (they've just become available in France)
Case:
Lian Li PC-7B Plus SE (the "SE" version comes with 120mm fans for intake and exhaust)
I want a black all-metal case without a door and without bling. The Antec P180 is too big, too.
LCD:
Viewsonic VX912
It's had good reviews and is in my budget.
Extras:
aftermarket CPU cooler, for silence rather than overclocking? Maybe the Zalman 7700 Alcu or an XP-90 with a quiet fan.
Zalman passive northbridge cooler
Quiet cooler for the video card?
I haven't decided how much I want to fuss about silence, but the PC will be located in the living room. (I'll run an ethernet cable to another room for the laptop).
I haven't included speakers since I plan to hook the computer up to an AV-in on my bookshelf stereo for the time being. I probably will look for a soundcard eventually, but not for the initial build.
I have a keyboard I can use and I'll pick up a simple optical mouse, probably a Logitech with scrollwheel.
So, I don't think there's much that is controversial in my parts selection, but I'd still appreciate any feedback. Thanks!
First I'll tell you what the PC will be used for, and then I'll list the parts I'm thinking of using. I'm not going to include links to newegg or prices since I live in France and will be buying from a series of shops located in Paris rather than online (except for one or two components). Also, I won't be buying most parts before the sale period in January when prices go down, but I have a store credit to use now to get started.
Edit: I changed the summary of this topic to reflect the fact that I'm looking for opinions on whether the system I'm thinking of building is overkill, in particular for a Linux user.
Use of the computer
This PC will NOT be used for gaming. It will run Linux exclusively. I have been using Slackware Linux on an old laptop for almost a year now, so that's not a problem for me. I will probably try out several other Linux distributions, though: the 64-bit versions of SuSE, Ubuntu, and Gentoo. I have looked into hardware compatibility for Linux for the parts already.
I have no experience with overclocking, but I'll probably give it a try. However, it's not enough of a priority that I want to buy special (expensive) OC parts.
The computer will have 3 main functions:
1) Office: working with book-length texts in OpenOffice and Scribus, web, email, some apps that need Wine.
2) Etherboot to run the laptop I currently use - this will allow it to run programs it can't run too well right now.
3) Media: I plan to rip my CD collection to hard disk, watch DVDs, and eventually install PVR hardware (probably the Plextor USB PVR with TV tuner, since Plextor is emphasizing Linux support. I'll be waiting to see if a PCI version is introduced for Europe - currently it's only available in and for Japan).
Parts list, with commentary
I've used the AnandTech mid-range system buyer's guide as a starting point, the AMD-based office version.
CPU:
AMD 3800+ X2 retail for the warranty and HSF
Since the CPU will be running 2 computers, I think dual-core will be useful.
Mainboard:
EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra OR MSI K8N Neo Platinum
In France, there is no price difference between these 2 boards. The Epox board seems to have a better reputation. However, the MSI board has 2 NICs (and I would use both of them with the etherboot setup), and the Epox has fewer PCI slots if I wanted to add a second NIC to it. So I haven't decided between the two.
RAM:
OCZ Value, 2 X 1 GB
2 GB to help run 2 computers, and I think value RAM will be fine for me.
GPU:
nVidia 6600GT (brand will depend on prices).
Maybe even that's overkill? Maybe a regular 6600 would be enough. Remember, I won't be gaming much, if at all. I would like to be able to run accelerated graphics in X, though. nVidia for the Linux support. I like the Gigabyte card with the passive cooling, but the VIVO functions aren't supported in Linux so I don't know that it's worth the extra cost.
DVD burner:
NEC 3540
HDD:
I'd like to start with a boot drive and a storage drive:
boot: Raptor 74 GB
storage: Hitachi SATA 250GB T7K250 NCQ
My heart is not set on a Raptor, I can't decide if I think it's worth the extra price. I realize this has been debated to death. If not a Raptor, maybe the 160 GB version of the Hitachi instead?
PSU:
Seasonic S12 430W (they've just become available in France)
Case:
Lian Li PC-7B Plus SE (the "SE" version comes with 120mm fans for intake and exhaust)
I want a black all-metal case without a door and without bling. The Antec P180 is too big, too.
LCD:
Viewsonic VX912
It's had good reviews and is in my budget.
Extras:
aftermarket CPU cooler, for silence rather than overclocking? Maybe the Zalman 7700 Alcu or an XP-90 with a quiet fan.
Zalman passive northbridge cooler
Quiet cooler for the video card?
I haven't decided how much I want to fuss about silence, but the PC will be located in the living room. (I'll run an ethernet cable to another room for the laptop).
I haven't included speakers since I plan to hook the computer up to an AV-in on my bookshelf stereo for the time being. I probably will look for a soundcard eventually, but not for the initial build.
I have a keyboard I can use and I'll pick up a simple optical mouse, probably a Logitech with scrollwheel.
So, I don't think there's much that is controversial in my parts selection, but I'd still appreciate any feedback. Thanks!