PC for Linux exploration, comments/suggestions.

srkitch

srkitch

Geek Trainee
I am thinking of putting together a PC from some spare parts that I have, plus a few new ones, for the purpose of learning to use a Linux desktop. I will probably go with the 64-bit version of Mandrake so i can see just what a 64-bit processor can do in a 64-bit environment. Anyway, any comments on whether or not this will work well with Linux would be appreciated, as well as any coments on the new hardware ingeneral.

PARTS THAT I ALREADY HAVE....
CPU: Athlon64 3000+ S754
RAM: 512MB Rosewill
HDD: 80GB Samsung SATA, 80GB Wester-Digital SATA

SHOPPING LIST.....
MoBo: ECS 760GX-M
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135194
VideoCard: eVGA GeForce FX5500 256MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130197
DVD+/-RW: LITE-ON Black ATAPI/E-IDE DVD Burner Model SHW-160P6S
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106013
Case: Linkworld 3210-04-C2628 Black/Silver Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811164040

Does Linux support SATA? I haven't really found a definitive answer to this, though i must admit i have't searched extremely deep.
 
You won't need a powerful PC to run linux, i've run a desktop linux distro with KDE and the works on a Duron 800MHz and it was fine. But obviously the faster the better.

And yes, Linux does support SATA. :)
 
i didn't want it to be super powerful or anything, but i didn't want to get rid of my S754 Athlon 64 just yet either. I also wanted it to be suitable for conversion back to MS if i shoudl have to do that. however, i'm very stubborn :dsmile2: and won't give up very easily when i decide to do something. i was most worried if i will be able to use the hardware with few problems in Linux. Also, how difficult is it to RAID in Linux?
 
Here you will find out how to setup RAID in Linux~!

Code: 
http://www.linux-sxs.org/storage/raid_setup.html
 
that was informative, but appeared to be sftware RAID. if the MoBo supports hardware RAID, then can you set up an array and run RAID0 or RAID1 in Linux with hardware only. i.e. if i set up an array with BIOS can Linux see it as a disk?
 
Yes, Linux is incredibly easy to use, people assume it's going to be hard to learn.. it's not, all you have to do is learn what certain programs do and where they are located.. the basics such as setting up a network or connecting to one.. surfing the net and where to locate your TCP/IP settings when you've got a problem..

It's just learning your way around the operating system, your not learning Unix, - not quite yet ;)

As Addis said, you don't need a computer this powerful to run linux, you can run linux exactly the same on a 300Mhz 128MB SD ram 500MB Hard drive.. There really is no dramatic difference..

Also, if you do get a 64bit computer, i do have a great way for you too learn Linux quickly, instead of going for Mandrake 64bit, go for SuSe 64bit (you can download it for free as per Mandrake).

Anyway, with a computer the spec of your "new linux box" you could really have some fun and utilise a tutorial i'm just about to post on Installing VMware on Linux (and getting it networked and configured).

VMware allows you to install any Windows Operating System inside Linux (so it runs almost like a program in Linux - you just double click and Windows Runs in a smaller screen (or full screen) infront of you..

It allows you to run Linux - but run Windows / Windows apps and Windows like normal with no limitations, and with a 64bit spec machine, you would be able to run Games through Windows inside Linux with no diteriation in performance :D

I highly recommend if u do go for this box u check out the Linux section later today, i'll post it for you (my tutorial).

It can be quite a difficult thing to configure properly, but once you've followed my tutorial and got some help from me (if you need it) you'll be well on your way to really understanding and being familiar with linux.

:D
 
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