New Linux System

[JauntyJackalope]

I'm building a "better-than-average" system for Ubuntu 9.04 Studio Edition. I'm a designer and Photographer, and have found some awesome alternatives to design programs on Linux. I'm also a bit of a techy, but I'm not professional. Please give me any advice on this list. I'm pretty sure I've grabbed everything I'll need to get this system up and running. If I'm missing anything, or there's something on here that isn't quite compatible, please let me know!

EDIT: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...Number=7382869

Thanks in advance,
Adam

[A Cheese Danish]

Link doesn't seem to work for me.

[Mussels]

he hasnt made it public.

[JauntyJackalope]

I hit share, but I guess that doesn't quite do the trick?

[JauntyJackalope]

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/M...spx?ID=7382869

I created a new list and set it to shared. That's what NewEgg says you need to do to make it public. Maybe you have to sign in on a NewEgg account?

[Mussels]

you arent going to get many people bothering with that - i'm sure as hell not making a newegg account.

Just post the items individual links (and edit them into the first post)

[A Cheese Danish]

It didn't work when I signed in anyway. It would be easier to post the links like mussels said.

[JauntyJackalope]

Already edited the first post

[Mussels]

that CPU cooler seems useless? its the same as a stock cooler.

[JauntyJackalope]

Yeah, I didn't realize the Core 2 came with fan and heatsink. Woops!

[Mussels]

rest of it seems ok, mATX hardawre, lower power.

My question is, why 8GB of ram, and why a microATX board in a full ATX case?

[JauntyJackalope]

Good question. This is why I post things in this forum. Didn't realize it was a micro until you pointed it out, guess I should pay more attention to detail.

Do you think 8GB of ram is too much for this system? When all is said and done I'll need to be able to run several different design programs as smoothly as possible. Do you suggest upgrading the CPU speed and lowering the RAM?

[aj28]

Hi Jaunty, and welcome to TPU Forums! The link format for public wish lists is a bit different than the link you get when you access it from within your account, even if sharing is setup. The easiest way to get it is to email it to yourself then copy the link they send you, but if you don't mind copying and pasting URLs around, there's an alternative method:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=WISH_LIST_ID

With that said, here is the public link for your wish list!
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...Number=7382869

[EDIT]

As for the build itself, there are a few things I'd change. For one, drop down to 4GB of RAM. Even if 8GB were useful for your application, the processor likely wouldn't be able to utilize all of it very effectively. Beyond that, I would reconsider the motherboard + case, perhaps going with an mATX setup. There are a lot of different options out there, from cheapo Rosewill models to high-end Silverstone units. No point in building a low-power, efficiency system and throwing it all in a huge case!

Personally I would do an AMD build leveraging the 760G/780V/780G chipset, thus avoiding useless dedicated graphics, saving space, power, and money. There have been reports that some of these chipsets have issues with certain builds of Linux, though I am not sure of the whole story on that one. If you really want dedicated graphics (and/or want to stick with Intel), I would still look more towards an HD4350 rather than an 8400GS, which would afford you more features and output options without driving up the price. Also, if you go this route, you could put the money you save towards an 80PLUS Bronze PSU, saving you a bit more on energy by utilizing higher efficiency standards.

So essentially yes, the build works, but I think you've shot a bit too high on the wrong components here. Save money with 4GB of RAM, a cheaper mainboard, and a smaller case, then put it towards a bigger monitor and/or HDD, where the money will be better invested given your application.

[JauntyJackalope]

Awesome, thanks for the advice!

[JauntyJackalope]

I updated the wishlist.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...Number=7382869

[aj28]

I would severely hesitate to use the 300W PSU bundled in with that case. At the very least pick up a cheap Rosewill 80 Plus unit. I've used them in a few builds recently and, if the efficiency numbers are to be believed, they're a good buy for what NewEgg asks for them...

Also, any particular reason for the G.Skill RAM? Not that I have anything against them, I'm just curious. Oh, and bear in mind that the particular model of HP monitor you picked out is glossy. Matte panels tend to produce what most in the graphics community consider to be "truer" colors, but it's entirely a preference thing in the end.

[JauntyJackalope]

When you say Rosewill are you talking only Power Supply?

And there's no real particular reason for the G.Skill RAM, any others you would suggest? And I did think about the glossy verses matte. For some reason I've always had better luck with glossy and "true" colors. My macbook has a glossy screen as well, and everything ends up working out.

And thanks for all the suggestions! I've built many computers, but everytime someone else provides the hardware, and I just throw it together, never had to pick it out myself!

[EDIT]

I looked through the power supplies, and the Rosewills look like they're for Full ATX cases, and not MicroATX. I would assume I'd need one for MicroATX to fit in the case?

[Mussels]

for what you do, any ram is good ram. look for low voltage (1.8v), and good warranty.

[aj28]

Something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182159
Or, if you want a bigger brand: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371005

Most mATX cases produced these days are designed to handle full-sized ATX power supplies. You may need a shorter one in some cases, but one of these fits the bill nicely. The easiest way to measure length if all you have is pictures is to look at how much space there is on either side of the 120mm fan. Makes for good comparisons if all you have to go on is NewEgg...

As for the RAM, no, brand doesn't make a huge difference. Fact of the matter is, no matter the brand, if it boots up and runs at a certain spec, chances are it'll keep on keeping on for just as long regardless of who produced it. That's why so many memory manufacturers these days offer lifetime warranties... A batch of sticks is generally going to be obsolete by the time they begin to fail en masse. The difference comes in cooling, overclockability, and the RAM's actual ability to run at its rated specs. Always read reviews before buying, because manufacturers lie, and you may end up with slower memory than you paid for.

And like I said, the screen is all about preference. Hell, if you're used to working on Macs, they have an entirely different default gamma setup than PCs do anyway, so unless you're applying an industry standard profile to your machine (which, frankly, makes the OS GUI look like crap), you're already adapting your colors subconsciously.

[JauntyJackalope]

Excellent! I added the Rosewill Power Supply

Thanks so much for all your help and insights. I think I'm gonna keep the system pretty close to the wishlist as it is right now. Might do a little more shopping, but I think this system will do just fine! It's going to be a secondary thing anyways. So if I find out I need to do a little upgrading later, I've still got my Mac until I do so.