I don't like to go through dual-boot hell, so I've decided to plan out a low-powered computer for use with Linux. I'm not going for real powerful here, and my current build is 415USD.

Tell me what you think and what I can change.

Case

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 @ 3.0GHz

CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz

Mommy: MSI G41M-E43

Motherboard: Foxconn A74ML-K 3.0 AM3 AMD 740G Micro ATX

PSU: Diablotek PHD 380M

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB

DVD-ROM: LITE-On Black iHDS118-04

RAM: Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 Dual Channel

RAM: Kingston ValueRAM 2GB DDR3 1333

GPU: GeForce 8400 from my old computer.

I think it's pretty decent, though I've heard Diablotek is one of the not-so-good PSU brands. It was the only MicroATX 24-pin on Newegg, though. I'll be looking around other sites than newegg, of course. This is just to get the basic specs out.

Inexpensive is what Linux was made for. Good selections as far as hardware goes, but I'd use two HDDs, either two 380s or two 250s. A single HDD can be easily lost when configured for Linux, and fails for any given reason.

Keep in mind too, if you're using Linux stand-alone, make sure you know all the work-arounds. Become very familiar with Wine, WinDupe, Aslaugh, whatever you need. No longer dual-booting means you lose out on those perks of having XP/whatever else you were using to help get past the compatibility issues.

I doubt I'll need it, but I am familiar with Wine.


What I was thinking was either setting it up next to my current computer with a KVM switch or just using it for Internet and giigles and such in my room. Plus with 2GB and a processor that supports virtualization, I can just run Virtual Box with XP for anything Wine can't handle.



Also updated build with new motherboard, ram, and processor. Price dropped ~200USD

Just a few notes from experience you need half that power for linux but more helps for video and audio work.

Also that foxcon motherboard is rock solid my pc runs 24x7 for the last 1-1/2 2 years. But i will say buy the $30 sound-blaster sounds so much better. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102003


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102003
also that card will last a long time my old 16bit soundblaster ran for 10 years. I currently run that card above card with my 6.1 surround speakers.


Also best part about linux you can use all those driver disks as Frisbees


Also on your PSU i would highly recommend ULTRA brand. They have built in surge protectors which a lot of "cheap"ones don't.

Would an ATX power supply be able to work in a microATX case? The only microATX 24-pin power supply I can find is the diablotek one on both Newegg and Tigerdirect.

looking at the case you want and it uses a Full sized atx PSU. so that micro one is labled just for marketing. Yeah almost all cases are normal atx PSU accept for some older HP's and some of the relly small form factors shuttle pcs etc.

That really broadens my choices.

I might get this one, but I'll do more searching.