Hi everyone. It's been a while since I've posted here, but lately I've been reading the forums trying to find what hardware will be most compatible with a new system. In my experience, ATI video cards can be a beast to get drivers installed properly with, so I want to avoid them if possible. To be honest, I was originally going to build this system for Vista, but from what I have read I may want to save the $200. In any case, can people with experience on the various components tell their opinions (good or bad) with operating them in Linux. The major problem I have seen is that a lot of the 965 chipsets use jMicron drivers that haven't been supported. If any of you can advise where I should use different components, I will be very interested to read your thoughts.

Original build (Vista inspired)

1. ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP LGA 775 Intel P965
2. Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz
3. 2x Kingston ValueRAM 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200)
4. SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD400LJ 400GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
5. Pioneer 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Read Black ATAPI Model DVR-111D
6. Creative Sound Blaster SB0570 Audigy SE 7.1 Channels PCI
7. eVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card

My main reasoning for the 8800GTS was because of DX10 for Vista. Is there any reason that I should still consider that, or should I just cut the price in half for a 7900GS?

New thoughts (Linux inspired):

1. ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP LGA 775 Intel P965
2. Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz
3. Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit
4. SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD400LJ 400GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
5. Pioneer 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Read Black ATAPI Model DVR-111D
6. SABRENT SBT-SP6C 5.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
7. eVGA 256-P2-N624-AR GeForce 7900GS 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 KO Video Card

I conveniently colored the changed items red so you can see the differences.

I have been reading the workaround for the jMicro PATA controllers on the P5B using OpenSUSE 10.2. Has anyone had any luck with the onboard NICs, or in this case the WiFi? I don't plan on using onboard audio.

ANY advice and information about the experiences you have had with this hardware will be greatly appreciated. If you see anything on the list that is downright STUPID, let me know, as it has been about 5 years since I have built a PC from scratch and I am getting up to speed on everything. I am not opposed to changing anything listed, including the flavor of Linux. I just want to get a 64-bit system up and running as painlessly as possible. Thanks in advance for your replies

In the past, I've had some luck with WiFi (your best bet is the MadWiFi drivers). Onboard NICs have always worked for me, although some newer ones still function but give some odd results. (for example, seeing two NICs, not just one. Mine does this, but still functions)

Also, since you're putting that much money into one system, you might want to consider getting a second drive, and using software RAID to set up a RAID 1 array. - Note that most Linux distros do NOT support hardware RAID controllers, only some of the 2.4 kernels have very limited for two or three.

Personaly, I run Debian Etch RC1. It's as stable as a rock, with a ton of features. It also has a graphical or text-based installer.

Other than that, you might want to note that if you buy that specific proc on newegg, you get Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter for free.

Thanks for the response StargateSteve. Let me address the points you brought up and dig a little deeper into this situation.

A quick search yields that this only works with Atheros chipsets. I was thinking more along the lines of the onboard Wifi on the P5B I was looking at (not sure what chipset it even uses). And as for odd results, I remember my EPOX 8RDA3+ had two onboard NICS, but I have to manually install a driver for the second one... different chipset than the first if I recall. Back to the matter at hand. Any recommendations on the Atheros chipset wireless cards? Maybe I could get a chipper Mobo and an external wireless adapter. Thoughts?

I'm not terribly concerned about losing all of my data. I had considered getting a smaller, faster hard drive for OS and software and use the one listed for storage, but I kind of decided against it. Would there be any performance benefit or detriment to a RAID 1 array (software)?

Thanks for the advice. I will look into that. I have used debian sarge in the past and been happy with it.

I was going to link all of these from newegg because that's where I have been looking, but I didn't want to seem biased, lol. Thanks for your input man, I hope to have a pretty solid system by the time I'm done.

Building right now a system very similar to yours:

1. consider changing the DDR2 speed (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core_2):

"DDR2 memory modules

Unlike the previous Pentium 4 and Pentium D design, the Core 2 technology sees a greater benefit from memory running synchronously with the Front Side Bus (FSB). This means that for the Conroe CPUs with FSB of 1066 MT/s, the ideal memory speed is PC2-4200. In some configurations, using PC2-5300 can actually decrease performance. Only when going to PC2-6400 is there a significant performance increase. While expensive DDR2 memory models with tighter timings do improve performance, the difference in real world games and applications is negligible.[19]"

2. If you find a SATA DVD-RW that is supported by Linux and not insanely expensive you will avoid the JMicron bs and have a more future proof device. Here in Europe we still have to pay a 10EU+ premium for SATA optical drives, unfortunately.

3. Historically, super-duper feature-laden mobos have been a pain in the ass as the bells and whistles not always work nicely with Linux. I go for a cheaper, simpler MSI P965 Neo-F and then add stuff I really need by buying Linux-friendly components. Also keep in mind that a Rev.2 of the 965 chipset came out recently, get that if possible.

Good luck with your build. Steer clear of MS and if you want a suggestion for productive computing: Kubuntu.

Thanks for the tip. Looks like I will go back to the 4200 RAM

Do you, or anyone else know if the Samsung SH-S183L is compatible with Linux?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...NE&N=0&Ntk=all
It's the only SATA dvd drive in my price range... I guess another alternative would be a USB DVD drive... otherwise I'm stuck with the JMicron poop.

I was just reading reviews for the MSI P965 Neo-F and aside from the JMicro stuff (which would obviously be solved with a SATA DVD drive), it appears to be very picky with RAM. I see your point, and since I don't plan to be doing much overclocking, I may look cheaper. Like I said, initially I was going for a Vista build that would be highly upgradeable... but since Vista OEM licensing appears to prohibit upgrading, I am now looking at this route. I will probably look on newegg for a more suitable motherboard for my purposes and post the results here later tonight.

Where do I find them?

Thanks for your Q4U

dont get an intel dq965gf motherboard whatever you do...

Thanks for the warning.

Newest build thoughts:

1. GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965
2. Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz
3. 2x Kingston ValueRAM 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200)
4. SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD400LJ 400GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
5. SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write, LightScribe Technology Black SATA Model SH-S183L - OEM (pending compatibility with Linux)
6. SABRENT SBT-SP6C 5.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
7. eVGA 256-P2-N624-AR GeForce 7900GS 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 KO Video Card

New changes outlined in red.

Since I am just asking general component questions in this thread, I will probably start a new thread to find out about compatibility on that Samsung SATA DVD drive. What has been everybody's luck with this ds3 motherboard?

"Would there be any performance benefit or detriment to a RAID 1 array (software)?"

Not realy. You might get a performance benefit from RAID 0.

For my personal purposes, I don't think I would get much out of a Raid configuration. I would enjoy the experience of setting one up, but I don't think for me that it justifies the cost of another hard drive.

I'm kind of digging the current setup I have for the system, but I am going to edit it again to add a wireless adapter. I don't currently NEED one, but it is nice to have that option and to keep from cables... I have enough birds nests from all of my other cables.

So here we go again:

1. GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965
2. Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz
3. 2x Kingston ValueRAM 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200)
4. SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD400LJ 400GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
5. SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write, LightScribe Technology Black SATA Model SH-S183L - OEM (pending compatibility with Linux)
6. SABRENT SBT-SP6C 5.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
7. eVGA 256-P2-N624-AR GeForce 7900GS 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 KO Video Card
8. TRENDnet TEW-423PI 32bit PCI2.2 Wireless Adapter

And I will probably go with Debian Etch RC1 for the OS.

New item listed in Green to make it easy to identify. I'll be pretty stoked if the SATA DVD drive works so that I will be totally free of PATA. I am going to try to hold off about a month to order this to see if anything drops in price or if I can pick up any bargains along the way. Should be plenty of time for everyone to straighten me out too, lol

edit: cleaned up list format.

Sorry to bump my thread again, but I'm hoping that people will find the progression of this interesting, if not useful. I am going to make another hardware change in this setup... I figure I can save a few bucks on the hard drive and go with a highly recommended one, even if I lose a little bit of storage.

1. GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965
2. Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz
3. 2x Kingston ValueRAM 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200)
4. Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS
5. SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write, LightScribe Technology Black SATA Model SH-S183L - OEM (maybe I will be testing compatibility with Linux)
6. SABRENT SBT-SP6C 5.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
7. eVGA 256-P2-N624-AR GeForce 7900GS 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 KO Video Card
8. TRENDnet TEW-423PI 32bit PCI2.2 Wireless Adapter

I hope that with the time and help of you guys with the planning of this system, that when I get it, everything will go flawlessly. And if that's the case, hopefully others will be able to use this as a template for a system of their own

knappster,
I'm a HP/Compaq fanatic with a love affair with Linux. This machine is essentially plug and play with Mandriva 2007 Linux. It's cheaper at NewEgg and Walmart than build your own. Plus you get a 1 year warranty.

HP Pavilion
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo processor E6300 with Viiv technology
Memory: 2048 MB of PC2-4200, DDR2 SDRAM memory (2 x 1024 MB for excellent performance, expandable to 4 GB)
Hard Drive: 320 GB, 7200 RPM, serial ATA hard drive
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Optical Device: SuperMulti DVD burner with LightScribe technology: 16x DVDR, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+R DL, 4x DVD-R DL, 5x, DVD-RAM, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CD-R, 32x CD-RW, and 40x CD-ROM
Communications: 10/100BaseT network interface, 56K modem
Expandability: 3 PCI slots (2 available), 1 PCI Express x16 slot (available); Expansion bays: 2 external 5.25"(one available), 1 external 3.5" (occupied), 1 internal 3.5" (occupied)
Graphics: Intel graphics media accelerator 950 with 32 MB dedicated graphics memory and up to 224 MB total available graphics memory as allocated by Windows Vista
Measurements: Dimensions (WxDxH Front/H Rear): Unpackaged (PC Only): 15"(H) x 7.17" (W) x 17"(D) (approx.), Packaged: 10.00"(H) x 24"(W) x 20"(D) (approx.)
Weight: Unpackaged PC only: 24 lbs (approx.), packaged: 33 lbs (approx.)
I/O Ports: Front-panel, 9-in-1 memory card reader supports SmartMedia, xD, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital (SD), Compact Flash I, Compact Flash II, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo, six USB 2.0 ports (2 front, 4 back), 2 FireWire (IEEE 1394) ports (front and back), Microphone/line-in/line-out (front and back), 2 PS/2; Digital Audio-out; LAN; Rear speaker-out/Side speaker-out/Center speaker-out/Center (subwoofer); VGA-out
Software: Roxio Creator features LightScribe technology so you can edit, burn and archive data to DVDs and CDs. Muvee autoProducer helps you automatically create professional-looking home videos and burn to DVD. Microsoft Works 8 includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database and calendar. Adobe Reader 7.0 can read and print PDF files. HP Total Care Advisor is the customizable desktop tool that provides support, system health and shopping information. Norton Internet Security 2007 protects your PC out of the box with 60 days of complimentary live updates.
Scott

Thanks for the input Scott. On the surface that system looks very much like the one I am trying to build, but looks can very well be receiving. Unfortunately it gives very little detail about the actual hardware installed. To me that makes a world of difference.

I assume, this is the one you are referring to:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883107196

And actually, my build comes out a little bit cheaper than that... and most of the components probably have more than 1 year warranty. The advantage that I see is the software... which would be wiped anyway. Basically it comes down to me wanting to know the model numbers of all of my components so that I can read reviews and know that they aren't going to be the cheapest parts available. I'm sure it will work just fine, but not for me

Scott's experience with the HP system seems to indicate that the SATA DVD-RW's using LightScribe Technology (whatever it is) play nicely with Linux. Have you had any other confirmation of this fact? (I am asking as I am thinking of getting one, in spite of the outrageous premium you have to pay for these things at the moment).

As for the audio card: modern mobos are quite good in terms of sound output. So unless you really need the 5.1 (gamer) or some high-end capabilities (such as hardware mixing for your tracks if you have a band etc), I would consider spending the cash in a good set of speakers. They will really make a difference, more than a sound card. But do not trust me on this, I'm no audiophile.

I consider your mobo choice as a sound one, especially in terms of Gigabyte's reputation in terms of quality engineering. See also http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2914

The Samsung Spinpoint HDD are universally renowned for their quietness, with only Western Digital as competitors (http://www.silentpcreview.com/article657-page3.html). Having said this, aside from some connectivity weirdness (non-standard SATA etc) most HDD these days are the same Linux-wise.

I don't think that the drive is SATA. It just gives the read/write speeds of the drive, not the connectability. FYI, lightscribe allows you to burn a certain type of CD/DVD, then flip it over and burn the label to the other side. Sounds interesting... don't know if there's any compatibility for Linux out there. I am thinking that I may order my system by the end of the month... with possibly a few more tweaks here and there. I will definitely get the SATA DVD drive unless I hear otherwise, and I will let you know if it hiccups or not.

The card I have listed is < $10 on newegg. I basically just don't trust onboard audio and this actually had pretty good reviews on newegg. It has the CMI8738 chipset, which I think is pretty well support in Linux.

Thanks for the info on the motherboard and hard drive. I think I am actually going to go with that slightly cheaper seagate barracuda over the samsung drive. I am trying to keep this system fairly high-end, but at the same time, very affordable. I will probably change my choice for the video card to one with the same chipset, but different manufacturer... as time goes on, the prices will fluctuate.

One hardware component I have forgotten to mention is the printerLexmark Z730. It appears that it is considered a "paperweight" to Linux. I haven't looked very hard yet, but is it possible to use Windows print drivers in Linux? Thanks again for your input.

As for printers, http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/OpenPrinting is one of the very best hardware compatibility databases, endorsed by the Linux Foundation (the former Free Software Foundation) and a number of corporations.

I confirm that your choice of printer is "paperweight." Of course you could configure another Windows PC to act as a print server through Samba, but this is an hassle and, having fought with Samba a few times, not always as easy as it seems at first sight.

If you want to avoid several hours of hair-pulling, start here:
http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/O...gestedPrinters