Older guy here who has been out of the build/hardware loop for quite some time and need some advice. About 7 years ago I built a system to run Ubuntu, but unfortunately found out the hard way that the motherboard wasn't supported and to this day the thing just doesn't run right with Ubuntu, so I went with Windows (Vista, then 7) on it. It's been sitting collecting dust as I mainly use a laptop, but I'm finishing my basement and want a decent desktop down there to use as both a file server but also for my son to do some light gaming on. I plan on dual-booting Windows 7 on it but primarily it will be a linux machine. Internet, Minecraft, Gimp, etc.
To keep costs down I would like to re-use as much of the existing case and the drives. Here is what I currently have:
I'd like to stay under $150 total but if I need to go up a little I can. Will re-use the case, DVD drives, and maybe the hard drives. To keep things simple, I'm thinking I'm fine with onboard graphics and sound?
I saw this combination mentioned as a good option on anand:
BIOSTAR H61MGC LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
+
Intel Celeron G530 Sandy Bridge 2.4GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6182/fall-budget-system-buyers-guide/2
I am not partial to Intel vs AMD. I don't care. I've read that Biostar mobos are good for linux but not reliable from a pure hardware standpoint.
While I want to go relatively cheap with this system, I also don't want to limit myself for the future if another $25 is needed to get into a motherboard that is better long-term, hence I'm hoping you guys can help! : ) I want to ensure maximum compatibility (preferrably 100% 'out of the box') with linux.
To keep costs down I would like to re-use as much of the existing case and the drives. Here is what I currently have:
- Case: Antec Nine Hundred
- Mobo: Gigabyte GA-8IDML
- CPU: AMD x2 64. I am away from the computer right now but I believe it is 1.4ghz 2-core model?
- RAM: 8GB (I believe PC133 - my guess is that is no longer useful these days? : (
- HD: 10,000RPM Raptor (I put this in a few years ago as a boot drive)
- Nvidia 7300 (GS?) I forget the exact card but I believe that's it.
- Creative Soundblaster
I'd like to stay under $150 total but if I need to go up a little I can. Will re-use the case, DVD drives, and maybe the hard drives. To keep things simple, I'm thinking I'm fine with onboard graphics and sound?
I saw this combination mentioned as a good option on anand:
BIOSTAR H61MGC LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
+
Intel Celeron G530 Sandy Bridge 2.4GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6182/fall-budget-system-buyers-guide/2
I am not partial to Intel vs AMD. I don't care. I've read that Biostar mobos are good for linux but not reliable from a pure hardware standpoint.
While I want to go relatively cheap with this system, I also don't want to limit myself for the future if another $25 is needed to get into a motherboard that is better long-term, hence I'm hoping you guys can help! : ) I want to ensure maximum compatibility (preferrably 100% 'out of the box') with linux.