Building new machine -- Ubuntu compatible?

[Rashkae]

Derek Maciel wrote:
> The computer I'm using right now is NOT good for Ubuntu. I meet the
> system requirements, sure, but after a random amount of minutes pass,
> the entire screen freezes. I did some research on the problem and it
> turns out that my integrated Intel graphics card is so old, that
> Ubuntu no longer supports it. On older versions of Ubuntu, the
> freezing is much less common, but 3D capability is null and even 2D
> flash games or Youtube goes very slow.
> 
> So, I'm building a new computer (this will be my first computer built
> and my first computer ever with a CPU better than a single-core P4),
> and I'll post some of the components below, but I'm wondering if
> anyone sees a problem on this? I won't be gaming or anything, but
> finally seeing Desktop Effects on Ubuntu for myself or playing a
> simple 3D game would be GREAT. =)
> 
> Thanks,
> ~Derek

If you plan on playing 3d games, then you'll probably want to install an 
Nvidia card rather than that Radeon.  OTOH, if you aren't really all 
that interested in gaming, and would rather a fully open source system, 
then forgo the video upgrade and stay with the on board Radeon 3000. 
Should work fine for 3d desktop effects with open source drivers that 
are available and in use today, rather than some year (or in the case of 
AMD, decade, it seems) in the future.  Unfortunately, as is the case 
with most Mini-atx boards, you won't have any spare memory slots.... I 
would consider getting 4GB of memory from the go, since any future 
memory upgrades will mean tossing out your existing ram.