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From: Stefan Patric on 9 Dec 2009 01:37
On Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:39:09 -0600, thunder wrote:

> On Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:58:31 +0000, Stefan Patric wrote:
>
>
>> And really, building a system isn't all that hard.
>
> For me, the most difficult part is matching the components. I don't
> build a system all that often, and perhaps, I don't pay enough attention
> to hardware innovations between builds, but the days of buying a
> motherboard and a couple of sticks of memory are long since past.
> Fortunately, I enjoy researching the components, but it can be a bit
> dizzying if you don't stay current.

One of my general Rules of Thumb for Linux compatibility is to use
hardware that's been available for at least 6 months or so. That gives
software developers time enough to catch Linux up. Yes, I will never
have a "cutting edge" system, but then my needs are modest, and I'm not a
fanatic who needs to replace the old just because something "new and
improved" has just hit the market.

I try to design a system to remain viable for my needs for 5 to 7 years,
then relegate it as a back up system or whatever for another few years
before giving it to charity. In still working condition, of course.


Stef
From: brownh on 9 Dec 2009 08:24
John, as an ex-electronics technician, I've always assembled my
machines. Your concern is cost, and I have found that for me assembly
is more expensive. This is because I give some thought to selection of
components and their quality and as a result build a more powerful and
better quality machine than really necessary. I suppose my
justification for the extra expense is craft pride.

There are really inexpensive machines out there that I can't imagine
can be matched by an assembled machine. However, they are cheap for a
reason and I suspect some of these machines will let you down in terms
of performance or reliability.

I believe the only pre-built machine on which I installed linux was
Sidux on a Thinkpad. Went like a breeze.

As for ease of installation that came up, I agree with the person who
suggested that if you can put things together, you can assemble a
computer. I tend to assume a decent component will be compatible with
Linux rather than be obsessive about researching compatibility, and in
the perhaps eight times I've done it, don't recall any
problems. Components can be DOA and there's sometimes little
"gotcha's", but nothing show-stopping.

I start with selection of a CPU and then research people's experience
with a supporting MB, for it seems you can't rely on brand name (bad
electrolytic capacitors ended my habit of getting Intel motherboards,
and I've had problems with ASUS, although both are generally good
boards). I also investigate people's experience with brands of RAM and
the motherboard I choose.

Haines
From: Vlad_Inhaler on 9 Dec 2009 13:22
On Dec 8, 1:38 pm, John Martin <johnmarti...(a)invalid.tt.net> wrote:
> My current machine is getting a bit long in the tooth ( like me ).
> MB is a gigabyte GA-7DXR and the CPU is AMD K6 1800.
> My question is, is it still cheaper to gather the bits and self-assemble?
> There do seem to be some very good value PC's online e.g these two :-
>
> http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/index.php?page=spec&&spec=home300
>
> http://www.dinopc.com/shop/pc/20-303-AMD-Phenom-X4-Quad-Core-PC-95p55...
>
> I have little knowledge of hardware so any advice is welcome, I'm not a
> gamer, my main uses are for photographs, video and astronomy programs.
>
> --
> John

Looking at those two offers, you appear to be in the UK.
One of them come with Windows 7, the other allows you to buy it
without an OS. What are your requirements here?
The areas where I am used to having compatability problems with Linux
are sound and graphics, both offer onboard sound and onboard video.
You really want to know exactly what they are offering in that
department.

I looked up the Intel Celeron and found:
* Graphics Controller Intel GMA X4500 Dynamic Video Memory
Technology 5.0
* Audio codec Realtek ALC1200
The AMD offer did not specify which Motherboard is in use.

A German Magazine called C't actually have suggestions for components
for self-built Intel and AMD systems in their current (I think)
issue. What I found funny was they were not happy with any of the
Intel Motherboards around. I'll have to look up their recomendations
when I have more time (= not now!!).
From: Henrik Carlqvist on 9 Dec 2009 14:29
John Martin <johnmartin99(a)invalid.tt.net> wrote:
> My question is, is it still cheaper to gather the bits and self-assemble?

It will probably be more expensive to build a new machine that way from
scratch. However, you might be able to save some money if you upgrade some
parts in an existing machine instead of buying a new one. A self-assembled
machine will also be upgradable this way in the future.

regards Henrik
--
The address in the header is only to prevent spam. My real address is:
hc3(at)poolhem.se Examples of addresses which go to spammers:
root(a)localhost postmaster(a)localhost

From: thunder on 9 Dec 2009 14:51
On Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:29:34 +0100, Henrik Carlqvist wrote:

> John Martin <johnmartin99(a)invalid.tt.net> wrote:
>> My question is, is it still cheaper to gather the bits and
>> self-assemble?
>
> It will probably be more expensive to build a new machine that way from
> scratch. However, you might be able to save some money if you upgrade
> some parts in an existing machine instead of buying a new one. A
> self-assembled machine will also be upgradable this way in the future.
>
> regards Henrik

The OP should also consider self assembly avoids the Microsoft Tax. That
has got to save $100-200.
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