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#1 2008-01-02 05:43:20

WaxyChicken
Member
Registered: 2008-01-02
Posts: 2

Hcl?

"Newbie Corner - No questions are stupid here!!!"
Sticky Post: "Read to keep from posting stupid questions (38 pages long manual)"

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaha

Oh, lord! That was funny in that very ironic way!

Ok, here goes: 
I am a Linux Newbie.  I have not yet chosen a Distro. 
I'm drawn to Archlinux because of the bragging about how it's simple and lightweight (Which is EXACTLY what i'm looking for - no more M$ Fat)

But i'm worried about your HCL list.  It looks very limited in your Wikki.

I hate to do this because it feels rude, but i'm going to post up the hardware i plan to use with the comp i'm going to build.  Can you tell me if your Linux is right for the hardware i'm planning?  (I'm not looking foward to SUSE, it sounds like it's gotten too bloated.)

Here goes:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ECS K8M890M-M (V1.0A) AM2 VIA K8M890 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
CPU Type: Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64
Dual Channel Supported: Yes
FSB: 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s)
Maximum Memory Supported: 16GB
Memory Standard: DDR2 800
Number of Memory Slots: 2×240pin
PCI Express x1: 1
PCI Express x16: 1
Model #: K8M890M-M (V1.0A)
Item #: N82E16813135073
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6813135073
Motherboard with VGA
$33

AMD Athlon 64 LE-1600 2.2GHz Socket AM2 45W Single-Core Processor Model ADH1600DHBOX - Retail
64 bit Support: Yes
HT: 2000MHz
Hyper-Transport Support: Yes
L1 Cache: 64KB+64KB
L2 Cache: 1MB
Manufacturing Tech: 90 nm
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, 3DNOW! Professional
Processors Type: Desktop
Model #: ADH1600DHBOX
Item #: N82E16819103199
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy
Free 3 Business Day Shipping
Your Price:$45.99

pqi 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model PQI26400-1GSBL - Retail
Cas Latency: 4
Heat Spreader: Yes
Timing: 4-4-4-12
Voltage: 2.1V
Model #: PQI26400-1GSBL
Item #: N82E16820141298
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6820141298
Your Price:$24.99
Mail-In Rebate: $5.00
Price after rebate(s):$19.99

EXCELSTOR Jupiter Series ESJ8080S 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Cache: 8MB
Features: 160GB per platter technology design for increased product quality and performance. Ramp load/unload technology provides excellent anti-shock capability. Fluid dynamic bearing motor for less noise. S.M.A.R.T Command Transport( SCT ) for Adaptive error correction. Thermal Flyheight Control ( TFC ) for improved reliability. Native Command Queuing for faster access. Internal Thermal Sensor to monitor the HDD
Form Factor: 3.5"
Model #: ESJ8080S
Item #: N82E16822210003
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
3 Business Day Shipping $6.14
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6822210003
Your Price:$36.99

This adaptor for TV output = $6
http://www.outletpc.com/c6733.html
This adaptor for HDTV output = $3
http://www.outletpc.com/c6736.html
Total Adapter Cost = $9

ASUS Black ATAPI/E-IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E616A3 OEM - OEM
Cache: 198KB
CD-ROM: 48X
CD-ROM Access Time: 95ms
Data Transfer Rate: DVD-ROM max. data transfer rate: 21640 KB/s (16X). CD-ROM max. data transfer rate: 7200 KB/s (48X).
DVD-ROM: 16X
DVD-ROM Access Time: 105ms
Features: Full Accessibility and Playability ASUS DVD-E616A3 provides leading-edge multimedia experience with fabulous playback capacities that allows users to access all CDs, DVD-ROM/DVD±R/ DVD±RW and DVD-Video discs Auto Vibration Reducing System (AVRS) The AVRS technology is designed to minimize the vibration caused by the spindle motor and resonance between components as well as the
Form Factor: 5"
Model #: DVD-E616A3 OEM
Item #: N82E16827135147
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
3 Business Day Shipping $5.84
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6827135147
Your Price:$14.99

PowerKing PSPK300 ATX 12V Ver. 2.0 300W Power Supply - Retail
ATI CrossFire Support: No
Efficiency: > 70%
Fans: 1
Input Voltage: 115/ 230 V
Main Connector: 20+4Pin
Modular Cabling Support: No
NVIDIA SLI Support: No
Over Voltage Protection: Yes
Model #: PSPK300
Item #: N82E16817163066
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
300W power supply with good reviews
3 Business Day Shipping $7.03
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6817163066
Your Price:$9.59

In the future: Upgrading ram and adding in a BluRayDVD, will later get a USB HD for my games.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whew, that was a lot of typing hmm (of course i cut and paste from my grocery list!!! i've been asking Linux and Hardware questions like this all day!!!)

Before you rag on the hardware you should know that the ONLY thing the box will be used for is to emulate my games.  I have a SNES, VideoPac, Odyssey2, Jopac, Atari 2600 4800 and Jaguar, Game Boy, GBA, NinDS, PSX 1 2 and 3, XBox and 360, etc... etc... etc....  I'm tired of all of these taking up space in my living room and i want to put them in the attic.  So i'll build a PC to just emulate all of my games.  Then i'll cram it into an old XBox case i have (after modding the case) and then just take it with me (along with the games) whenever i go and game with the guys on friday nights. 

So would ArchLinix be the right Linux for me?
(and is it good to develop for incase i want to write new software for it)

Thanks for taking the time to review my long winded post.
I hope it wasn't too painful.

Last edited by WaxyChicken (2008-01-02 05:45:00)

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#2 2008-01-02 16:53:15

byte
Member
From: Düsseldorf (DE)
Registered: 2006-05-01
Posts: 2,046

Re: Hcl?

Well, congratulations. You post PSU specs and even prices but omit the most crucial piece of information: the graphics chipset!

Here it is: "VIA DeltaChrome"

No, forget it. You won't have any fun with that, and if you're unlucky not even 3D-acceleration at all. If you don't choose an additional graphics adapter, this won't be much more than a nice office machine.

Last edited by byte (2008-01-02 16:54:37)


1000

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#3 2008-01-02 17:58:16

peart
Member
From: Kanuckistan
Registered: 2003-07-28
Posts: 510

Re: Hcl?

Hello,

The Linux kernel is what determines hardware compatibilty.  If your hardware has a driver in the kernel, you should be ok.  This is true for all distributions.  HCLs are meaningless, IMHO.

You have posted specs about an AMD motherboard and processor, a SATA hard disk, a cd-rom and a psu.  The odds of them not being supported are slim at best.

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#4 2008-01-02 18:17:42

jacko
Member
Registered: 2007-11-23
Posts: 840

Re: Hcl?

byte wrote:

Well, congratulations. You post PSU specs and even prices but omit the most crucial piece of information: the graphics chipset!

Here it is: "VIA DeltaChrome"

No, forget it. You won't have any fun with that, and if you're unlucky not even 3D-acceleration at all. If you don't choose an additional graphics adapter, this won't be much more than a nice office machine.

I am w/ byte on this one, on-board video is a PITA when it comes to linux. Just check out all the problems with laptops and video 3d rendering.

Last edited by jacko (2008-01-02 18:18:08)

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#5 2008-01-02 18:24:39

Misfit138
Misfit Emeritus
From: USA
Registered: 2006-11-27
Posts: 4,189

Re: Hcl?

If you're planning on getting a mobo with integrated graphics, go for an nvidia chipset; they are very well supported. Intel video chipsets are also well supported, fwiw.

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#6 2008-01-02 18:33:04

elliott
Member
Registered: 2006-03-07
Posts: 296

Re: Hcl?

jacko wrote:

I am w/ byte on this one, on-board video is a PITA when it comes to linux. Just check out all the problems with laptops and video 3d rendering.

Intel on-board video actually works very well with Linux, I'd expect Nvidia on-board to work well with the proprietary drivers, unless it is a bleeding edge card.

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#7 2008-01-02 18:55:16

jacko
Member
Registered: 2007-11-23
Posts: 840

Re: Hcl?

elliott wrote:
jacko wrote:

I am w/ byte on this one, on-board video is a PITA when it comes to linux. Just check out all the problems with laptops and video 3d rendering.

Intel on-board video actually works very well with Linux, I'd expect Nvidia on-board to work well with the proprietary drivers, unless it is a bleeding edge card.

Yes, intel and nvidia are about the two best. Never really seen, even though I do not look for them, to many on-borad nvidia chipsets.

Last edited by jacko (2008-01-02 18:58:34)

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#8 2008-01-02 19:01:02

jacko
Member
Registered: 2007-11-23
Posts: 840

Re: Hcl?

elliott wrote:
jacko wrote:

I am w/ byte on this one, on-board video is a PITA when it comes to linux. Just check out all the problems with laptops and video 3d rendering.

Intel on-board video actually works very well with Linux, I'd expect Nvidia on-board to work well with the proprietary drivers, unless it is a bleeding edge card.

bleeding edge is 8k series, do they even have integrated 8k series GPU's? honestly I forgot about intel!

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#9 2008-01-02 19:14:32

jacko
Member
Registered: 2007-11-23
Posts: 840

Re: Hcl?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6813135057

here, I looked, so far this is the only one I have found with on-board nvidia chipset in a micro form factor board.

read the reviews, there is problems one user had with different linux OS's

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi … rchInDesc=

use the second link (already selected for micro ATX form factor), on the left hand side scroll down till u see the onboard option, select a nvidia chipset 6100,6150,etc.., they have ZERO intel's. Good luck.

Last edited by jacko (2008-01-02 19:19:46)

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#10 2008-01-03 02:20:40

peets
Member
From: Montreal
Registered: 2007-01-11
Posts: 936
Website

Re: Hcl?

peart wrote:

Hello,

The Linux kernel is what determines hardware compatibilty.  If your hardware has a driver in the kernel, you should be ok.  This is true for all distributions.  HCLs are meaningless, IMHO.

You have posted specs about an AMD motherboard and processor, a SATA hard disk, a cd-rom and a psu.  The odds of them not being supported are slim at best.

Yes. And Arch is always up to date with the latest kernel release.

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#11 2008-01-03 02:29:40

WaxyChicken
Member
Registered: 2008-01-02
Posts: 2

Re: Hcl?

Ok.
So it turns out that the vid on the board is not up to specs for what i'd like.
(Translation: i've taken all the replies to heart and determined that you're right and i'm wrong.  smile   Let there be no shame when admitting that you're out of date on hardware knowledge.)

Goal:
Cram together a cheap PC that i can take with me to plug into my various friends TV's for game night.
Replace my many many game consoles with one Emulation PC.

Step 2 - what's needed:
Good profomance for games.
dirt cheap price. (hopefully around 150, defiently under 200)
Linux compatable.

Step 3 - what's NOT needed:
Large HD (for now)
More Ram than one game needs
excessive expansion.

So i've had to reevaluate the mobo and am now looking at this one:
MSI K9N6SGM-V AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
CPU Type: Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64
Dual Channel Supported: Yes
FSB: 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s)
Maximum Memory Supported: 2GB
Memory Standard: DDR2 800
Number of Memory Slots: 2×240pin
PCI Express x1: 1
PCI Express x16: 1 x PCI Express x16 slot (Run at x8 mode)
Model #: K9N6SGM-V
Item #: N82E16813130068
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
3 Business Day Shipping $6.33
Your Price:$48.99

Unfortinatly this pushes me up to about $185 on the price and so my wiggle room is disappearing.(luckly the CPU fan is included.)

Jacko, you pointed to a 754 socket Mobo.  I'm so far planning to use a AM2 socket CPU.
Byte, thanks for telling me the vid was crap on that.  It's been quite a while sience i kept track of the tech out there.

Several feedbacks tout the Linux compatabilities.

So do i have a decent enough setup?

Anywhere i can save money with this?

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