[Klug-general] PC builder recommentation

[Andrew Miller (Spode)]

If you build your own machine it probably won't save you any money. But 
you will have a machine that does exactly what you want it to do. Not 
only that, but you can research each component for Linux compatibility. 
Personally, I've not had a problem with any machine I've put Linux on - 
but I guess I've been lucky.

I would recommend sticking with the newer Intel line of processors, as 
they are generally faster and cooler than anything AMD has to offer - 
still (come on AMD, get back in the game!).

I would stick with an nvidia graphics card, as their drivers are still 
much better in Linux.

Everything else (memory, keyboard, mouse, monitor, case, psu) aren't 
really going to affect your Linux support hugely and comes down to 
personal preference. Unless you're playing games, buying a PC now is 
more like buying a toaster. The main component to research is the 
motherboard, as I've certainly seen a few specific chipsets behaving 
oddly. Get this right and everything else will fall into place.

http://www.phoronix.com/ - I know the guys here do quite a bit of 
hardware testing, specifically with Linux, so it would be worth reading 
around.

Certainly if you're not gaming, you can pick up a pretty speedy 
pre-built system for £2-300. Compaq, Dell, etc. do actually do some 
pretty good deals.

Failing that, there is of course the Tesco machines, that are coming 
with Ubuntu pre-installed. There is at least a guarantee they are 
compatible :D

Hope this helps, in some odd rambled fashion. (just got back in the 
country - 1001 e-mails to send!)

Spode

Mike Rentell wrote:
> Exactly my own approach last September. I wasn't interested in getting 
> a store supplied Windows clone and with the advice of this erudite 
> bunch I approached Gavin Coles at Indie IT in Birchington ( 
> gavin at indit-it.com).
>
> He built me a nice system with AMD64 processor, 4Gb RAM and a 250-Gb 
> HD for a little under £800. All the bits, boxes, disks and booklets 
> that come with the components were also supplied.
>
> I installed a variety of Linux 64s on it until I settled on Debian 4.0 
> (Etch). I found the system so up-to-date that I have had to wait for 
> Linux to catch up a bit. But it is worth it and nice to know someone 
> not far away actually knows exactly what's on board.
>
> Does that help at all?
>
> MikeR
> in Folkestone.
>
> Mike Evans wrote:
>> I remember a while back someone mentioning that they had a new PC 
>> built for them by someone and recommended them.
>>
>> I'm currently torn between going down to PC World and getting 
>> something cheap but up to date with Vista on it (Yeurg!  But at least 
>> I would have a fall-back.) and then fighting with whatever hardware 
>> choices they made, or custom building a machine.  I'm not looking for 
>> ultimate power.  The spec is probably more like a media PC in that I 
>> want it to be reasonably quick, have enough graphics capability to be 
>> able to watch DVDs on a good size monitor (min 23" but larger if 
>> poss), fit in the space I have (which means flat rather than tower) 
>> and be silent or nearly so.
>>
>> I've been looking at various components available.  However it's been 
>> so long since I did that level of hardware that I don't know my 
>> Northgates from my Southgates any more.
>>
>> Any recommendations for either kit or someone who is up on these 
>> things to advise me gratefully accepted.
>>
>> Mike
>>
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>
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