Hardware Suggestions

[Robert Dege]

Since this is our server configuration, we mainly use PCI video cards,
since most administration is done over ssh.  But, we mainly use S3 Trio64,
ATI Rage, and a few Number Nine's.

The only issue I have with onboard video is that in most cases, they
"borrow" RAM from your System memory, instead of having dedicated RAM for
the chip itself.  So my 512MB RAM - video RAM == my System memory.  What
sux more is that the BIOS decides how much RAM you can allocate to the
video card through the interactive BIOS menu.  But enough of my ranting.

For linux compatibility, you should be set with either an ATI or
nvidia card, since both have linux drivers on their web site.  Again, it
depends on what you want to do... if you have no intention of gaming, then
just about any video card with 4MB of RAM or more should be fine.  Just be
aware that the ASUS MOBO has an AGP slot that will only work with 4xAGP
cards or newer.  So if your Video Card is a 2XAGP card, it will not fit
into the AGP slot.

-Rob

> What Video Card are you using?
> I checked the A7N8X-X online and it doesn't have
> onboard video.
> Actually as I think about it On-board Video may not be
> that important.  If I remember Correctly I have an ATI
> 7000 (or something like that) Lying around somewhere.
>
>
>
>
> --- Robert Dege <rdege at cse.Buffalo.EDU> wrote:
> >
> > I use the following hardware at work:
> >
> > ASUS A7N8X-X Motherboard
> > AthlonXP 2500+
> > 512 Corsair DDR-RAM
> > Enermax 350Watt PS
> >
> > It totals to just under $300, and I'm able to run
> > RedHat 9.0 on it.  The
> > only hard part is that the NIC is not detected
> > during the install.  you
> > need to download the rpm from nvidia's web site.
> > However, the 2.6 kernel
> > has it built in.
> >
> >
> > If you're looking for a test system, a pentium would
> > do just as well,
> > depending on the apps you want to run.
> >
> > -Rob
> >
> > > Hey All,
> > >
> > > I've been on this group for about 18 months, and
> > I've
> > > mainly just read the posts and answered a few
> > > questions that we related maily to Windows or just
> > > general IT question.
> > >
> > > I am now ready to actually try some linux, and I
> > want
> > > to build a machine from Scratch. (I'm not ready to
> > > mess with my Windows PC... Yet..)
> > >
> > > The only hardware I have is an ATX case, (it's a
> > > pretty nice case).
> > >
> > > I'm looking for a Mother board with the following
> > 3
> > > considerations.
> > > 1) Cheap. This is Linux after all, it's supposed
> > to be
> > > inexpensive.
> > > 2) It has Video, Audio, and Nic built on.  Ideally
> > > that is. I am willing to get seperate Devices, but
> > I
> > > would like to make it as simple as possible.
> > > 3) Preferable for an AMD-XP Processor
> > >
> > > I found a couple, but the manufacturer didn't have
> > any
> > > Linux Drivers.
> > >
> > > Any suggestions.
> > >
> > > =====
> > > Tom McKim, MCSE
> > > Network Administrator
> > > Niagara Chocolates
> > > 3500 Genesee Street
> > > Buffalo, New York 14225
> > > tmckim at niagarachocolates.com
> > > mckimt at yahoo.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > __________________________________
> > > Do you Yahoo!?
> > > Yahoo! Photos: High-quality 4x6 digital prints for
> > 25¢
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> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > Dege
> >
> > I'm just not up2date on my al-kee-hol-*hic* lingo
> > Although, I do have that slurring part down ;)
> >
>
>
> =====
> Tom McKim, MCSE
> Network Administrator
> Niagara Chocolates
> 3500 Genesee Street
> Buffalo, New York 14225
> tmckim at niagarachocolates.com
> mckimt at yahoo.com
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Photos: High-quality 4x6 digital prints for 25¢
> http://photos.yahoo.com/ph/print_splash
>



Dege

I'm just not up2date on my al-kee-hol-*hic* lingo
Although, I do have that slurring part down ;)