Arch Linux

jose1711

Member

Registered: 2006-07-08

Posts: 144

hardware compatibility with intended purchase

hello,

can anyone please tell how well will arch linux (i don't really want any ubuntu-only blobs) work with the following components?

Motherboard Intel G43NB
Intel Core2Duo E7400
Nvidia 9500GT PCIe
LG DVD-RW GH22NS, SATA

thank you,

joe

drcouzelis

Member

From: Connecticut, USA

Registered: 2009-11-09

Posts: 4,092

Website

Re: hardware compatibility with intended purchase

Nope, sorry, I don't have any of that hardware. Where are you buying it from?

I'm very curious, what is an "Ubuntu only blob"?

chpln

Member

From: Australia

Registered: 2009-09-17

Posts: 361

Re: hardware compatibility with intended purchase

Motherboard Intel G43NB
Intel Core2Duo E7400
Nvidia 9500GT PCIe
LG DVD-RW GH22NS, SATA

There's nothing there which stands out to me as a potential source of trouble.  Though, as with drcouzelis, I've not used any of that with Arch.

I'm very curious, what is an "Ubuntu only blob"? bi

I've heard of some vendors releasing closed-source software which checks the name and version of the running distro against a hard-coded list.  Should it not find a match, it will immediately fail.  I'm only guessing that's what's being referred to though.

jose1711

Member

Registered: 2006-07-08

Posts: 144

Re: hardware compatibility with intended purchase

I've heard of some vendors releasing closed-source software which checks the name and version of the running distro against a hard-coded list.  Should it not find a match, it will immediately fail.  I'm only guessing that's what's being referred to though.

yup, this is exactly what i meant :-)

drcouzelis

Member

From: Connecticut, USA

Registered: 2009-11-09

Posts: 4,092

Website

Re: hardware compatibility with intended purchase

I've heard of some vendors releasing closed-source software which checks the name and version of the running distro against a hard-coded list.  Should it not find a match, it will immediately fail.  I'm only guessing that's what's being referred to though.

What vendors? What software? What distribution? What list?

graysky

Wiki Maintainer

From: :wq

Registered: 2008-12-01

Posts: 10,612

Website

Re: hardware compatibility with intended purchase

Motherboard Intel G43NB
Intel Core2Duo E7400
Nvidia 9500GT PCIe
LG DVD-RW GH22NS, SATA

I see nothing wrong with that setup.  I've successfully setup Arch on several P45-based MB's as well as on a G41 and G45 based board.  The CPU and Vid card should be fine as well.

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CPU-optimized Linux-ck packages @ Repo-ck  • AUR packages • Zsh and other configs

jose1711

Member

Registered: 2006-07-08

Posts: 144

Re: hardware compatibility with intended purchase

I've heard of some vendors releasing closed-source software which checks the name and version of the running distro against a hard-coded list.  Should it not find a match, it will immediately fail.  I'm only guessing that's what's being referred to though.

What vendors? What software? What distribution? What list?

as an example i believe dell's wifi 1397 with broadcom is problematic. dell provides some proprietary drivers but only for ubuntu (afaik).

jose1711

Member

Registered: 2006-07-08

Posts: 144

Re: hardware compatibility with intended purchase

hello, today i noticed that this mobo only accepts up to 4 gb ram so i'm looking at gigabyte's GA-EG45M-UD2H instead. this one also sports intel chipset (g45) so i hope there will be no hurdles. thank you guys for your comments and wish me luck :-)

graysky

Wiki Maintainer

From: :wq

Registered: 2008-12-01

Posts: 10,612

Website

Re: hardware compatibility with intended purchase

I built a system based on the EG45M-UD2H, but I didn't use the onboard video because I wanted VDPAU on the box (8400 GS).  Great motherboard and works fine with Arch.  If you don't care about the ICH10R controller, there is a cheaper version of that board (G41-M-ES2L) you can use.  The cheaper version doesn't have a functional MB temp sensor and it has a much cheaper HS on the northbridge.  The EG45M is like $128 while the G41-M is closer to $50.  It also has a slower onboard video but if you're planning to use an nvidia card, that doesn't matter.

EDIT:  the EG45M has better over/under clocking options in the BIOS, a much better audio package, and is physically laidout much better as well.  I also believe it is constructed with higher quality components and more copper.

Last edited by graysky (2010-01-04 20:30:06)

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CPU-optimized Linux-ck packages @ Repo-ck  • AUR packages • Zsh and other configs

jose1711

Member

Registered: 2006-07-08

Posts: 144

Re: hardware compatibility with intended purchase

as eg45m-ud2h is shipping no more :-( i'll most likely will go with Gigabyte EP45-UD3LR. it's p45 intel chipset, has ports that i need, supports up to 16 gb ram. the only thing i'm worried about is nic based on realtek 8111C as i read some user gripes here on the forum.