I am fairly new to Linux and only play around with it once in a while,I discovered folding and noticed that when I ran my folding in Linux VM the output was allot better then in windows. This helped me to decide on building a server box for folding ( which I am also new at) and I am wondering which the best setup would be .
My hardware will be as follows
ASUS KGPE-D16 SSI EEB 3.61 Server Motherboard Dual Socket G34
and 2x AMD Opteron 6128 Magny-Cours 2.0GHz 8 x 512KB L2 Cache 12MB L3 Cache Socket G34 115W 8-Core Server Processors
With around 8 gb ram to start
and like I mentioned already I am fairly new to Linux and servers so any and all help would be appreciated

Hello,
I never installed a server but here was my way of starting linux..
1. make a 1 day seminar linux-basis (1 day)
2. read.. read.. and buy a linux laptop (ubuntu)
3. run knoppix, puppylinux from CD; install them on usb..
4. install a linux on hdd (of another PC; a desktop)
5. second seminar linux-advanced (1 day)
6. buy a linux book for all commands
7. optimize my linux desktop system
so, now for a server, I would buy another book and read again.

Are you sure you want to do that?

ASUS KGPE-D16 SSI EEB 3.61- $425
AMD Opteron 6128 Magny-Cours- $250 (each)

Sure, you getting lots of cores, but they are 'slow' cores. For the cost of just the dual G34 board you could get a AM3/AM3+ board, and a 6-8 core Phenom II/Bulldozer. Or a similar intel setup.

BTW, GPU folding is worth looking at as well. Its possible that a PhenomII/Bulldozer or i7 quad with a nice video card will get you more points per day, with less power consumption.