what do you think?

[digitalNeurosis28]

hi,

i'm buying a desktop linux (probably lindows or lycoris) and need to
select all the right hardware. below is what i came up with so far. any
advice on how this system can be improved upon without going over
CA$2000 will be greately appreciated?

thank you. have a great day.

----- begin system spec -----
Mainboard:
Biostar K8NHA Pro

Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 3000+

Heatsink:
Thermaltake Venus 8+

Memory:
2x 256MB PC2700 (DDR333)

Hard drive:
Western Digital Special Edition Caviar 120GB (Ultra ATA/100, 7200rpm)

Modem:
U.S.Robotics 56K V.90 Internal Faxmodem ISA

Video Card:
nVIDIA Quadro FX 3000G

Sound Card:
nVIDIA SoundStorm

Network card:
Intel Pro/100

USB ports:
4-6x v2.0

CD-ROM:
Sony 52x IDE EIDE/ATAPI CD-ROM

CD-R/W:
Lite-On 52x24x52x

Power Supply:
Fortron/Source FSP400-60PFN 400W ATX P4 AMD

Chassis:
Apex Mid-tower
----- end system spec -----

 

[kony]

hi,

i'm buying a desktop linux (probably lindows or lycoris) and need to
select all the right hardware. below is what i came up with so far. any
advice on how this system can be improved upon without going over
CA$2000 will be greately appreciated?

thank you. have a great day.

----- begin system spec -----
Mainboard:
Biostar K8NHA Pro

Biostar typically makes low-end junk, relative to other large
name-brands. I have no experience with that particular board but see
no evidence they've changed their target market, so it's probably junk
too.

Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 3000+

Heatsink:
Thermaltake Venus 8+

It has a poor fan... choose an 80x25mm dual ball-bearing fan from a
true fan manufacturer, like Panaflo, Papst, NMB, Nidec, Sunon, Delta,
etc. It might be cheaper to simply buy a 'sink that includes a better
fan rather than replacing the fan.

Memory:
2x 256MB PC2700 (DDR333)

Today I'd get PC3200... even though you don't need it, it's more likey
reusable in the future. Also for a new build you might consider 2 x
512MB modules... if you don't get them now, when you later want to
upgrade the memory you'll have wasted the pair of 256MB modules...
seldom do I hear of people thinking they bought too much memory.

Hard drive:
Western Digital Special Edition Caviar 120GB (Ultra ATA/100, 7200rpm)

Those still use ball-bearings, are relatively noisey compared to a
Maxtor or Seagate.

Modem:
U.S.Robotics 56K V.90 Internal Faxmodem ISA

Umm, you are aware that the above motherboard doesn't have any ISA
slots, so this modem simply isn't possible, right? USR makes decent
modems, but go with a PCI version.

Video Card:
nVIDIA Quadro FX 3000G

Sound Card:
nVIDIA SoundStorm

Network card:
Intel Pro/100

It's a good NIC, but the above motherboard does have integral Gigabit
network adapter.

USB ports:
4-6x v2.0

CD-ROM:
Sony 52x IDE EIDE/ATAPI CD-ROM

Why? Just get a second Lite-On CDRW.

CD-R/W:
Lite-On 52x24x52x

Power Supply:
Fortron/Source FSP400-60PFN 400W ATX P4 AMD

Good power supply choice.

Chassis:
Apex Mid-tower

Not so great... I think they're relabeled low-end Foxconn cases.

 

[digitalNeurosis28]

i think i'm getting close to having the right system
what do you think of this configuration?

remember this is just a desktop pc (lindows or lycoris) - primarily used
for surfing the net, running productivity software, occasionaly playing
some mp3s.
i am not interested in anything fancy, and am aware that there are
better components than these, however, price is a factor.
as long as this thing will run well for at least three years i will be
happy.

thank you for yor assistance. have an awesome day.

----- begin system spec -----
Mainboard:
Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro OR Gigabyte GA-K8VT800
/* i've looked at so many motherboards my head is about to explode -
i've no idea what to get. */

Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 3000+

Heatsink:
Dynatron DC1206BM-L/610-P-Cu

Memory:
2x 512MB PC3200

Hard drive:
Maxtor 120GB DiamondMax Plus 9 (7200rpm, SATA)

Modem:
U.S.Robotics 56K V.92 PCI Faxmodem
/* primarily used to send/receive faxes */

Video:
nVIDIA Quadro FX 3000G

Audio:
nVIDIA SoundStorm

USB ports:
4x v2.0 (2 front, 2 back)

CD:
Lite-On 52x24x52x

Power Supply:
Fortron/Source FSP400-60PFN 400W ATX P4 AMD

Chassis:
21 Inch Thermaltake 5000 - Temp Control - Usb - I1394 - 5 Fans
----- end system spec -----

 

[kony]

i think i'm getting close to having the right system
what do you think of this configuration?

remember this is just a desktop pc (lindows or lycoris) - primarily used
for surfing the net, running productivity software, occasionaly playing
some mp3s.
i am not interested in anything fancy, and am aware that there are
better components than these, however, price is a factor.
as long as this thing will run well for at least three years i will be
happy.

thank you for yor assistance. have an awesome day.

----- begin system spec -----
Mainboard:
Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro OR Gigabyte GA-K8VT800
/* i've looked at so many motherboards my head is about to explode -
i've no idea what to get. */

Yes, exploding heads... i hate when that happens.
No experience with that board either, but Gigabyte is generally
regarded as superior to Biostar.

Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 3000+

Heatsink:
Dynatron DC1206BM-L/610-P-Cu

80x25mm low-rpm fan is highly preferred, does a better job of cooling
the motherboard, possibly CPU (depends on how low the RPM) and is
quieter, longer lasting than the small, thin fan on the above 'sink.
Something similar to the following uses a good panaflo fan:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-106-036
though you could get any 'sink that uses 80mm fan and add you own,
favorite fan, just make sure it's mostly copper on the bottom for best
thermal efficiency, though that doesn't matter as much on an A64 as it
did on the Athlon XP.

Memory:
2x 512MB PC3200

Hard drive:
Maxtor 120GB DiamondMax Plus 9 (7200rpm, SATA)

Modem:
U.S.Robotics 56K V.92 PCI Faxmodem
/* primarily used to send/receive faxes */

Ok, if only for faxes, you might save a few $ here by buying whatever
you can find driver support for... for example I believe Lucent
chipset winmodems are fairly well supported these days, and can cost
less than $12.

Video:
nVIDIA Quadro FX 3000G

Audio:
nVIDIA SoundStorm

USB ports:
4x v2.0 (2 front, 2 back)

CD:
Lite-On 52x24x52x

Power Supply:
Fortron/Source FSP400-60PFN 400W ATX P4 AMD

Chassis:
21 Inch Thermaltake 5000 - Temp Control - Usb - I1394 - 5 Fans
----- end system spec -----

It is a good case, so long as you don't mind a large case.
Similar cases can be found for less $$ though, especially when a power
supply is included... Newegg has a few good deals on Antec combos:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-122
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-120
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-127
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-115

 

[Trent©]

hi,

i'm buying a desktop linux (probably lindows or lycoris) and need to
select all the right hardware. below is what i came up with so far. any
advice on how this system can be improved upon without going over
CA$2000 will be greately appreciated?

thank you. have a great day.

----- begin system spec -----
Mainboard:
Biostar K8NHA Pro

Dependable...low end. I'd go with your newest choice of Gigabyte,
though...one of my favorites for low-end machines.

Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 3000+

Heatsink:
Thermaltake Venus 8+

Not critical...most any will work. When in doubt, go with CPU mfg.
suggestions.

Memory:
2x 256MB PC2700 (DDR333)

Hard drive:
Western Digital Special Edition Caviar 120GB (Ultra ATA/100, 7200rpm)

WD is by far the best drive out there. Look into the Raptor...if it
fits your requirements. 10,000 rpm...5 year warranty.

Modem:
U.S.Robotics 56K V.90 Internal Faxmodem ISA

PCI. If yer just gonna use it for faxes, get a 33.6 or
28.8...cheaper, and same fax speed.

Video Card:
nVIDIA Quadro FX 3000G

Sound Card:
nVIDIA SoundStorm

Network card:
Intel Pro/100

USB ports:
4-6x v2.0
6

CD-ROM:
Sony 52x IDE EIDE/ATAPI CD-ROM

Get a DVD player instead.

CD-R/W:
Lite-On 52x24x52x

Nice burner.

Power Supply:
Fortron/Source FSP400-60PFN 400W ATX P4 AMD

Chassis:
Apex Mid-tower
----- end system spec -----

Good luck.


Have a nice week...

Trent

Follow Joan Rivers' example --- get pre-embalmed!