Building a Linux Box Part 2

greyhat.goon · 2009-02-24 07:41:35

Originally I was thinking about building a shuttle box (shuttle barebones system). After some research and some consideration to lifespan and futureproofness,
here's plan B (for about the same price as the shuttle build, but with alot more potential).

Motherboard - GIGABYTE GA-MA790FXT-UD5P AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6813128377

Cpu - AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6819103649

Psu - Rosewill RG530-2 530W 80Plus Bronze Certified, ATX12V v2.3/EPS12V v2.91, SLI Ready, Active-PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6817182160

Case - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6811129042

Plus a sata lite-on dvd burner

Note: Some of these things are combo deals on newegg right now: case + psu, cpu + motherboard.

The thing is, with this motherboard, I'm thinking about going with AMD and there relatively new AM3 socket. I can't find much info relating to linux compatabilty with this
particular motherboard / cpu. I don't imagine there would be a problem, but what do I know:P........let me know if you think there might be a problem.

Last edited by greyhat.goon (2009-02-24 07:44:15)

sharpie · 2009-02-24 20:25:59

Anything that can go wrong will go wrong eventually.

So what's the point in building this machine?

Ranguvar · 2009-02-24 20:32:17

I'd go for a cheap Intel quad-core over an AMD broken-quad-turned-tri-core, or any other AMD for that matter I like AMD, but they've been getting destroyed lately. I'm partial to low-end Intel quad-cores, especially since they overclock insanely well. Just look up an Intel at a cheaper price (to make up for losing the combo), I bet there'll be a comparison benchmark somewhere.

Also, I'd spring for a better PSU (not necessarily higer wattage, but get one from a better company - brand name is everything in power supplies), and maybe DDR2 RAM (much cheaper and it should last for as long as you want to keep the same mobo and CPU).

@sharpie: WTF?

Last edited by Ranguvar (2009-02-24 20:32:42)

greyhat.goon · 2009-02-24 21:04:23

Thanks for the reply!

@sharpie: "So what's the point in building this machine?"
My current desktop is dying; 8-10 year old dell pentium II.......making all kinds of noises and running hot!!
Also, since I buy/build computers once every 8-10 years, I would like to get the most upgradeable, higher-end, Linux compatible components
I can get (and doesn't cost much over $500 ).

@Ranguvar
Thanks for the info. I'll go with your advice and stick with intel, especially since intel as a company gives more support to linux. I'm just a little nervous about choosing a motherboard......want to get one with good Linux compatibility.

Thank you.

1LordAnubis · 2009-02-25 02:38:58

Intels also use a lot of power, and have a front side bus. AMDs have a direct to memory connection, which makes your system feel faster. I hate my intel getting limited by its fsb... and I hate getting beaten by my friend's AMD all the time.

As far as linux support goes, you are looking at good support either way. That being said, Intel has pissed me off; they write really shitty drivers if you have intel integrated graphics...

AMD has been making better drivers for ATI since they purchased them, they even have a decent open source driver now.

greyhat.goon · 2009-02-25 04:45:28

Hmm..... +1 for Intel and +1 for AMD.

So, here's a question. Are the new sockets /cpus automatically linux compatible? Say, like in my first post above, I get a
new fancy pants motherboard with DDR3 memory and an 1. ( AM3 socket and phenom II core 3 cpu) or 2. (Intel Icore 7 cpu / socket). These
are not really new architectures right?, so either should be fine with linux?

Edit
Ok, I finally found something on Phoronix, posted today.

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=n … &px=NzA4OQ

http://global.phoronix-test-suite.com/? … -3263-7163

Seems like in principal, both are fine under linux. Sorry if this was a stupid question .........just wasn't clear/obvious to me.
I guess I don't really understand the compatibity issues with new processors and such.

Thanks again for all of the info!!!

Last edited by greyhat.goon (2009-02-25 05:00:00)

ssl6 · 2009-02-25 04:57:57

either cpu should be fine with linux. AMD is not far off the K8's or athlon's, and the intel core 2's, well, you know. basically, its not cpu compatibility you need worry about. it'll be motherboard components or other added hardware if anything, but even at that, i doubt you'd have issues. i built a new phenom x4 system for a friend last week, and booted my linux install on it for kicks to see the difference in video encoding time over my current system. it worked like nothing had change, except it was faster of course

and apparently, i found out yesterday, some amd motherboards, with the amd 790 chipsets, will allow you to enable the 4th disabled core on the X3's, essentially giving you a quad, for the lower price. might be worth looking into. only works with a certain stepping of X3's however

Last edited by ssl6 (2009-02-25 04:59:38)

greyhat.goon · 2009-03-14 07:53:14

Here's an Update. I finally ordered and built my new linux box, everything worked out of the box with Arch 64........no problems what so ever. Ordered everything from newegg, and here's the list for posterity:

LITE-ON 22X DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model iHAS422-08

Nippon Labs ICR-BB All-in-one USB +eSATA Card Reader - Retail

Antec Sonata Elite Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ - Retail

Antec NeoPower 650 Blue 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX - Retail

GIGABYTE GA-MA790FXT-UD5P AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

Hrod beraht · 2009-03-14 15:12:33

greyhat.goon wrote:

Here's an Update. I finally ordered and built my new linux box, everything worked out of the box with Arch 64...

You didn't mention video, and that motherboard doesn't have any built-in, so I'm curious...whatcha using?

Bob

greyhat.goon · 2009-03-14 19:25:26

I salvaged the video card and hard drive from my previous system and put them in the new one.

Video card: Diamond Radeon HD 3450 512MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6814103055

Note: Some recent reviewers on newegg said that they received the wrong card (without hdmi). The one I'm using
matches the product description and does have hdmi.

Right now, I'm using the xf86-video-ati driver and it works well for me. Before, I was using the proprietary catalyst driver which worked better (for me at least) with
games like Nexuiz. For non-gamers the ati driver is probably adequate.

Take a look at the wiki page for info on ati video drivers:

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/ATI

Last edited by greyhat.goon (2009-03-14 19:29:01)

Arch Linux

#1 2009-02-24 07:41:35

Building a Linux Box Part 2

#2 2009-02-24 20:25:59

Re: Building a Linux Box Part 2

#3 2009-02-24 20:32:17

Re: Building a Linux Box Part 2

#4 2009-02-24 21:04:23

Re: Building a Linux Box Part 2

#5 2009-02-25 02:38:58

Re: Building a Linux Box Part 2

#6 2009-02-25 04:45:28

Re: Building a Linux Box Part 2

#7 2009-02-25 04:57:57

Re: Building a Linux Box Part 2

#8 2009-03-14 07:53:14

Re: Building a Linux Box Part 2

#9 2009-03-14 15:12:33

Re: Building a Linux Box Part 2

#10 2009-03-14 19:25:26

Re: Building a Linux Box Part 2

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