Help me build my new computer

[Technoviking]

I'm starting to shop for parts for a new computer and looking for advice on what people have purchased recently.

I want to get something that work great under Ubuntu, but I will need to dual boot to Windows for work (yes, I have to support Windows at my job) and a couple games I like that will not work under Wine/Cedega.

Questions:
1. Intel Core Duo or Athlon 64 X2: We got some Core Duo machines at work and they are great and I love my Macbook Pro. I was wanting to hear if anyone heard how these two CPU compare. Price wise they are pretty close.

2. Motherboard: What motherboard have gotten good review lately. I have been reading Tom's Hardware, but would hear experience you may have had with equipment. I need 16x PCI-E for a video card and probably want to get a something I could have a SATA raid setup in.

3. ATI or NVidia: errr... nevermind. That is like asking vi or emacs:).

4. The KillerNIC: I have great things about this ethernet card, but wonder if anyone has used it under Linux? http://www.killernic.com/KillerNic/

Thanks for any advice,
Mike

[dannyboy79]

I'm starting to shop for parts for a new computer and looking for advice on what people have purchased recently.

I want to get something that work great under Ubuntu, but I will need to dual boot to Windows for work (yes, I have to support Windows at my job) and a couple games I like that will not work under Wine/Cedega.

Questions:
1. Intel Core Duo or Athlon 64 X2: We got some Core Duo machines at work and they are great and I love my Macbook Pro. I was wanting to hear if anyone heard how these two CPU compare. Price wise they are pretty close.

2. Motherboard: What motherboard have gotten good review lately. I have been reading Tom's Hardware, but would hear experience you may have had with equipment. I need 16x PCI-E for a video card and probably want to get a something I could have a SATA raid setup in.

3. ATI or NVidia: errr... nevermind. That is like asking vi or emacs:).

4. The KillerNIC: I have great things about this ethernet card, but wonder if anyone has used it under Linux? http://www.killernic.com/KillerNic/

Thanks for any advice,
Mike

The only thing I can comment on is the fact that the Killer NIC FAQ page specifically states:

Q: What OS does the Killer support?

A: The Killer NIC ships with 32 bit Windows XP drivers. 64 bit versions for Windows XP will be released in mid to late October on the company website. The Killer NIC will also be compatible with Windows Vista, when Vista is released.


so if I were you and you wanted a good nic for your UBUNTU (Linux) machine, I wouldn't be spending $270 on something that doesn't have manufacturers drivers with it. You may be able to get it to work but it could possible be a lot of trouble shooting and trial and error.

[mips]

Well I would suggest you start with the right cpu. As a AMD fan I will tell you to go Core 2 Duo, they currently have the edge on AMD.

GFX, uhmm, nVidia is the only way to go if you are a linux user.

As for the NIC, what are you gonna connect it to, Cable, ADSL router etc ? then dont bother, your standard NIC from 3Com or Intel will do fine. No point in wasting money here.

Look at a few MBs and ask us here what we think about them. I´m partial to Gigabyte. Will also buy Intel and there is a brand i cannot remember as i could never afford them.

[futz]

Well I would suggest you start with the right cpu. As a AMD fan I will tell you to go Core 2 Duo, they currently have the edge on AMD.
Yup, the Core 2 Duo's are king of the hill right now.


As for the NIC, what are you gonna connect it to, Cable, ADSL router etc ? then dont bother, your standard NIC from 3Com or Intel will do fine. No point in wasting money here.
Virtually all modern mainboards have onboard LAN anyway (the higher end boards have dual LAN), so buying a NIC is almost never necessary.

[maniacmusician]

I recently helped another user with this. In the following thread, post #9. #4 has some good info as well, but thats probably included in #9. http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=332695

like mips said, C2D is the best way to go, see that other thread for more particular recommendations on processor model/motherboard.

[zerhacke]

From the FAQ page of The Killer Nic: http://killernic.com/KillerNic/KillerSupportFaq.aspx


Q: When will you provide Linux host drivers for the Killer NIC?

A: Linux host drivers will be available in the Fall of 2006.

I still couldn't justify spending almost three hundred bucks on a NIC that claims to bypass the stack. I don't believe it.

[~LoKe]

So far as I know, that Killer Nic is a big joke.

So, what do you plan on using your computer for? Budget?

[zerhacke]

aspx

Eww. I just noticed they're on a Windows server for their webpage. I sure as hell am not buying now.

[Technoviking]

Eww. I just noticed they're on a Windows server for their webpage. I sure as hell am not buying now.

Yuck...[-(

[Technoviking]

So far as I know, that Killer Nic is a big joke.

So, what do you plan on using your computer for? Budget?

I will do some development on the box, some photo and movie editing, also games. I would like to spend less than $700 if possible.

[dannyboy79]

I just got this offer emailed to me from Tigerdirect.com, they are an awesome site for almost everything. Them along with newegg.com, and buy.com. check this out:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2848310&CatId=1916&CMP=EMC-TIGEREMAIL&SRCCODE=WEM1281CA

it's a AMD Athlon 64FX 60 CPU. Asus A8S-X SiS Socket 939 motherboard. The A8S-X supports CPUs with FSB up to 2000 MT/s FSB with Hyper-Transport Technology, PCI Express, Gigabit LAN, USB 2.0, SATA, and more. the industry’s number one 500-watt power supply -- the Ultra V-Series. the fast-cooling Ultra 2200 rpm X-Wind Copper Fan. If I was an AMD fan I'd buy it. All you need to buy is ram and a graphics card and you can get some decent 1GB sticks for 69.99/each (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1071020&sku=ULT31664&CMP=EMC-TIGEREMAIL&SRCCODE=WEM1281CA) . they are made by Ultra, tigerdirect.com. then the same site has the XFX GeForce 7600 GT XXX. 256MB /SLI / PCI Express for $109.99. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=2427578&sku=P450-7870&CMP=EMC-TIGEREMAIL&SRCCODE=WEM1281CA

this all puts you at $649.00 plus shipping, which would probably be right at $700.00!!!! .

[mips]

Socket 939 is EOL. I also do not like the MB, only two SATA connectors.

I'm partial to nVidia chipsets.

Check the compatitbility on the audio & sis stuff.

This one is the same with 1GB ram & 320GB HD for $529:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2848947&CatId=1916

Intel option:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2700082&CatId=0