System Spec (OT?)

[Liam Proven]

On 01/02/2008, Graham Watkins <shellycat.gw at ntlworld.com> wrote:
> It's hardware upgrade time again.  I have in mind the following custom
> built system.
>
> I'd appreciate it if you guys could give your views on its suitability
> to run Ubuntu linux which will be my default OS.
>
> Thanks.
>
> *Processor (CPU)*
>
>
>
> INTEL(R) Pentium(R) DualCore E2160 (1.80GHz)800MHz FSB/1MB L2 Cache

They are cheap, but the Core2 processors with only 1 or 2MB of cache
are a bit limited. If you can afford it, go for the full MB cache
model.

> *Memory (RAM)*
>
>
>
> 2GB CORSAIR DDR2 667MHz - LIFETIME WARRANTY! (2x1GB)
>
> *Motherboard*
>
>
>
> ASUS(R) P5VD2-VM: DDR2, S-ATA II, 1 x PCI-E x16, 2 PCI, etc
>
> *Operating System*
>
>
>
> NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
>
> *USB Options*
>
>
>
> 6 x USB 2.0 PORTS (4 REAR + 2 FRONT) AS STANDARD
>
> *Memory - 1^st Hard Disk*
>
>
>
> 80GB SERIAL ATA II HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (7200rpm)
>
> *2^nd Hard Disk*
>
>
>
> 160GB SERIAL ATA II HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (7200rpm)
>
> *RAID (HDD 1 & 2)*

Why 2 hard disks?

You do know that you can't effectively RAID together disks of different sizes?

If you want a mirror pair, go for 2 the same size. If you want an easy
life and you want to boot off the mirror pair, use a hardware RAID
controller like an ALi MegaRAID or a 3Ware or something. Motherboard
or cheap (<£25) "firmware" controllers are effectively useless with
Linux.

If you don't want RAID, I think the sweet spot for price:capacity in
HDs at the moment is about 400MB.

> *1^st CD/DVD Drive*
>
>
>
> 20x Dual Layer LightScribe DVD Writer ±R/±RW/RAM
>
> *2^nd CD/DVD Drive*
>
>
>
> NONE
>
> *Graphics Card*
>
>
>
> 512MB GEFORCE 8400GS PCI Express + DVI + TV-OUT
>
> *2^nd Graphics Card*
>
>
>
> NONE
>
> *Sound Card*
>
>
>
> Sound Blaster(R) Audigy(R) SE with 7.1 Surround Sound: £15

Why bother? Doesn't the motherboard have sound built in?

> *Modem*
>
>
>
> NONE, I WILL BE USING BROADBAND
>
> *Network Facilities*
>
>
>
> ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
>
> *Floppy Disk Drive*
>
>
>
> 1.44MB - 3.5 INCH FLOPPY DISK DRIVE
>
> *Memory Card Reader*
>
>
>
> INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (READS XD, MS, CF, SD, etc)
>
> *Case*
>
>
>
> Stylish Black/Silver Sigma case + 2 front USB
>
> *Power Supply & Case Cooling*
>
>
>
> 500W (Peak) Quiet Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan (£25)
>
> *Processor Cooling*
>
>
>
> SUPER QUIET 19 dBA INTEL CPU COOLER (£14)

That sounds odd. Intel don't make aftermarket HSFs, as far as I know.
You get an Intel fan free with the chip.

CoolerMaster and Zalman have good reputations when it comes to 3rd party HSFs.


-- 
Liam Proven • Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/liamproven
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