Starting Custom Computer Company at University

[Killer_Rubber_Ducky]

Hi, a couple of my friends and I are starting a Custom Computer company at our local campus and were looking for cost-effective hardware suggestions. We want to build Linux/windows machines that would fit in most college student's budgets and beyond as well. Can Anyone suggest good hardware? It should be Windows Compatible. Also Hardware that is Linux Compatible too please so we can make Linux coding platforms/gaming rigs/ Media centers/servers etc. We plan on using plain Jane cases and tricking them out. So good cheap (cost) computer cases would be nice too. Thanks!!

[Easy Rhino]

Originally Posted by Killer_Rubber_Ducky

Can Anyone suggest good hardware?

not to troll but if you have to ask that question then maybe you should rethink your future goals.

[garyinhere]

^^

[AthlonX2]

Originally Posted by Easy Rhino

not to troll but if you have to ask that question then maybe you should rethink your future goals.

+1

[rickss69]

Offhand I would say snap up all the 1156 i3 cpu's you can find and build around them. Use on-chip graphics or add a video card depending on the usage. Good mb's can be had cheaply as well.

[Killer_Rubber_Ducky]

Originally Posted by Easy Rhino

not to troll but if you have to ask that question then maybe you should rethink your future goals.

I was thinking more of mobos, companies to stay clear of, that kind of thing. I'm not stupid.
The only thing i really need info on it hardware that will work flawlessly in Linux. i know my 5850 has problems with freezing and distorted graphics. hence why im pulling on you all's knowledge. Motherboards and Graphics I think are the two main things i need help on. I also need suggestions on intel chipsets. Im good on AMD but Ive been out of the Intel loop for a while now.

[rickss69]

I know nothing of Linux but any of the Intel i3/i5 chips and any of the corresponding Gigabyte mb's including the micro's will give flawless service regardless of configuration.

If you can give me a link to a copy of Linux I would be happy to test it for you. I have many cpu's/gpu's to work with. How many games work with that OS?

[assaulter_99]

Originally Posted by rickss69

How many games work with that OS?

With wine and crossover around, I'd say a lot. However, it aint easy at all with the configs and such. Its like playing russian roulette.

[jellyrole]

Originally Posted by assaulter_99

With wine and crossover around, I'd say a lot. However, it aint easy at all with the configs and such. Its like playing russian roulette.

With a bullet in each chamber..

[t77snapshot]

Originally Posted by assaulter_99

With wine and crossover around, I'd say a lot. However, it aint easy at all with the configs and such. Its like playing russian roulette.

Originally Posted by jellyrole

With a bullet in each chamber..

...and that is why you don't see a lot of Linux based gamers...

[Smety]

Originally Posted by rickss69

How many games work with that OS?

Basically none. Despite what people say, even using Wine is ineffective 90% of the time in my experience. I'd stay away completely from Linux based OS for gaming.

[assaulter_99]

Originally Posted by Smety

Basically none. Despite what people say, even using Wine is ineffective 90% of the time in my experience. I'd stay away completely from Linux based OS for gaming.

Maybe you need more prog skills!

Seriously though, I've seen a customer running The orange box games and COD4 but he said it was a pain in the arse (it was mainly a challenge for him) so yes, if you're no linux guru you'd better stay away from that platform for gaming.

[Solaris17]

i3 intigrated graphics are too new for what linux supports right now. HD streaming etc would be almost impossible. youll need older stuff.

[Sir_Real]

I'd have a rethink about starting a pc building business. For a start if your main target buyer is going to be students then you should be thinking laptops & note books rather than custom towers.

Plus you'll need to be buying loads of hardware really really cheap to have any chance of making money. One thing you have to think about is almost everyones going to expect windows 7 to be installed, yet knowones going to want to pay an extra $100 + for the legit cd key.

& why would they theres plenty of second user pc's with win7 installed out there for sale.

Unless you can get win7 cd keys for next to nothing this is going to be a big prob.

[CJCerny]

Not a good idea to start your own business around something that you aren't familiar with. That's what franchises are for.

If you know AMD, use AMD. Don't worry about Intel. Keep in mind that you will probably have to buy large quantities (at least 10 of each, but probably more like 100 each) of these items to stay competitive on your prices. Also keep in mind that if you are a Linux fan, chances are you can build your own rig with your eyes closed.

[cdawall]

I wouldn't base anything off linux because everyday you have knocks on your door asking you how to install microsoft office on them

[Killer_Rubber_Ducky]

Originally Posted by rickss69

I know nothing of Linux but any of the Intel i3/i5 chips and any of the corresponding Gigabyte mb's including the micro's will give flawless service regardless of configuration.

If you can give me a link to a copy of Linux I would be happy to test it for you. I have many cpu's/gpu's to work with. How many games work with that OS?

http://www.ubuntu.com/

or it's more gaming/effects oriented brothers

http://ultimateedition.info/ultimate...e-edition-2-8/

http://live.linux-gamers.net/

or the Hardcore - modern gamer distro
http://supergamer.org/

For actual awesome games check out: http://www.amnesiagame.com/#main

Word is out that Steam is releasing a Linux Client sometime in the Q1.

Originally Posted by assaulter_99

With wine and crossover around, I'd say a lot. However, it aint easy at all with the configs and such. Its like playing russian roulette.

Not if you look for Native Clients of popular games like Quake and such.

Originally Posted by t77snapshot

...and that is why you don't see a lot of Linux based gamers...

On the contrary, http://sandboxgamemaker.com/

Originally Posted by Smety

Basically none. Despite what people say, even using Wine is ineffective 90% of the time in my experience. I'd stay away completely from Linux based OS for gaming.

Then you obviously haven't configured or built wine very well.

Originally Posted by Solaris17

i3 intigrated graphics are too new for what linux supports right now. HD streaming etc would be almost impossible. youll need older stuff.

I watch HD streaming stuff all the time. Then again I have an ATI Radeon HD 5850.
Im leaning Nvidia as their Linux Drivers work best.

Originally Posted by Sir_Real

I'd have a rethink about starting a pc building business. For a start if your main target buyer is going to be students then you should be thinking laptops & note books rather than custom towers.

Plus you'll need to be buying loads of hardware really really cheap to have any chance of making money. One thing you have to think about is almost everyones going to expect windows 7 to be installed, yet knowones going to want to pay an extra $100 + for the legit cd key.
& why would they theres plenty of second user pc's with win7 installed out there for sale.
Unless you can get win7 cd keys for next to nothing this is going to be a big prob.

Originally Posted by cdawall

I wouldn't base anything off linux because everyday you have knocks on your door asking you how to install microsoft office on them

True, and i have found a few Laptop Barebones i could work off from. I work for a computer company doing Tech Support and I have hundreds of people everyday wanting Office installed and who are too stupid to put the Disc in the drive and follow the on screen instructions.

As for the windoze software, We have been given a large quantity of XP discs by our local school and thought of VMware-ing XP on Ubuntu boxes. There is a new Unity Mode that makes the VM ware window disappear so that the program looks native. And it can be set to run at Start like that. You can still access all the linux stuff while using windows stuff.

As for buying up lots of hardware, since it is a small operation and custom machines, we (using a tried and true method) have the Customer agree on the parts, buy them and ship them to us and we put them together and customize them the way the Customer wants it.
If the Customer wants windows 7 then they will get Windows 7 (at a discounted price(OEM)) Since they are having the parts ship to us, the OEM copy is legit as we are the system builders.
Yes, i can build a linux box with my eye closed but I need input on the components that are worth it in the intel field as intel components just seem to work flawlessly with Linux.

[Killer_Rubber_Ducky]

Oh and for some good linux games check out

http://www.penguspy.com/#/All/free_a...view=1/limit=0

www.happypenguin.org

[erocker]

Originally Posted by Sir_Real

For a start if your main target buyer is going to be students then you should be thinking laptops & note books rather than custom towers.

^^This. Plus, college students don't want Linux. They want what everyone else is using and they want it to work.

[rickss69]

Just downloaded it and using it now. Took all of five minutes lol. No time to play with it atm but I will report findings soon. Currently running off disk with Asus mb, QX9650 and ATI 5870.

[Killer_Rubber_Ducky]

Originally Posted by erocker

^^This. Plus, college students don't want Linux. They want what everyone else is using and they want it to work.

Hence why we offer both. for those at the University who use linux (actually quite a few) or want to be able to type papers and surf the web etc for cheap, there is linux. I can build a linux rig that is decent for under 200.

You seem to think that We are focusing on Linux machines. We are not. We are just offering it as an option. Like especially for HTPCs.

[rickss69]

Why not include a disk or run it side by side?

[Killer_Rubber_Ducky]

Originally Posted by rickss69

Just downloaded it and using it now. Took all of five minutes lol. No time to play with it atm but I will report findings soon. Currently running off disk with Asus mb, QX9650 and ATI 5870.

Make sure you install the AMD ATi catalyst drivers. and stress test it with the Unigine demos.

[Smety]

Originally Posted by assaulter_99

Maybe you need more prog skills!

Originally Posted by Killer_Rubber_Ducky

Then you obviously haven't configured or built wine very well.

Funny enough, I'm actually a software engineer. In fact I run Linux based servers every day and I know how to use Wine very well. However, in my experience it's very hard to make things run correctly 100% of the time while being efficient using Wine. This is just my experience, so before bashing my Linux knowledge be sure you understand that Linux isn't the "God" of all operating systems and soon you will realize that although it has come very far and I enjoy messing around with the different types, Linux has a long, long ways to go before it will be mainstream--if ever

[Killer_Rubber_Ducky]

Originally Posted by rickss69

Why not include a disk or run it side by side?

That is an option too. You mean Dual Booting right?