Budget machine for linux

Shwick · Jun 18, 2008, 11:46 PM

Hi guys,

I plan on buying a budget machine that I'm going to use to install/learn linux with. It will probably be running servers and compiling code, no gaming. This is what I've come up with:

MOBO $73.98 ASUS P5B-MX mATX 946GZ ASUS P5B-MX mATX 946GZ LGA775 Conroe DDR2 1PCI-E16 1PCI-E1 2PCI SATA2 Video Sound GBLAN Motherboard - DirectCanada
RAM $90.30 Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800 2X2GB Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X4096-6400C5 4GB DDR2 2X2GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL 5-5-5-18 240PIN Memory Kit - DirectCanada
CPU $65.00 Core 2 Duo E2160 1.8GHz 1MB Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160 Dual Core Processor LGA775 1.8GHZ 800FSB 1MB Retail - DirectCanada
CASE $31.32 Compucase 6K11BB mATX Case Compucase 6K11BB mATX Case Black 2X5.25 1X3.5 2X.3.5INT W/ Front USB & Audio 80MM Fan No PS - DirectCanada
PSU $25.17 FSP Fortron 350W ATX FSP Fortron ATX350-PNT 350W ATX V2.2 20/24PIN Power Supply W/ 120MM Fan OEM - DirectCanada
DVD-RW $24.88 Samsung DVD+RW Samsung SH-S203B Black Sata DVD+RW 20X8X16 DVD-RW 20X6X16 Dl 18X/12X Int Dvd Writer Oem W/ Vista Sw - DirectCanada
FANS $10.26 Coolermaster 80MM Case Fan x2 Coolermaster Ultra Silent Fan 80MM Case Fan 1400 RPM 13DBA 15.75CFM - DirectCanada
HD $0 Seagate Barracuda 250GB got an extra
FILTER $6.50 80mm fan filter 80mm 8cm BLACK ~ ALUMINUM & STAINLESS MESH FAN FILTER! - (eBay.ca item 120272798533 end time 20-Jun-08 18:06:53 EDT)

TOTAL
$327.41

I will probably overclock the cpu to 2.4GHz.

Does this look like it fits together well? I've never done a mATX build before.

Also, I couldn't find linux chipset/graphics/sound/lan drivers for the motherboard on Asus's website- they only have windows. Does anyone know if there are linux drivers for this motherboard, where to find them, and why they wouldn't be posted on Asus's website?

Thanks.

OldBuzzard · Jun 19, 2008, 12:31 AM

On the case,

CASE $49.68 Coolermaster CAC-T05 Centurion 5 Aluminum ATX Tower Case 5X5.25 1X3.5 4X3.5INT SILVER-BLACK No PS - DirectCanada

I know it's 18.10 more than the one you've picked, BUT, it will come with fans (1x 80mm & 1x 120mm), so you can eliminate the need for the 2x 80mm you have listed. Also, the 80mm in the CM case is behind a mesh filter already, so you could probably eliminate the fan filter too, and end up with a nice case for about $2.00 more than what you have listed.

Shwick · Jun 19, 2008, 06:42 PM

Thanks, but I already have that case for my main gaming right- it is good. I now know that the motherboard has linux drivers, so i'm gonna go ahead and order it.