Skitzo

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Slackware 9.0 takes alot of configuring and kernel upgrade to 2.4.22, but Slackware 9.1 ran all the hardware right off. Newer Linux kernels, >2.4.22, support frame-buffer for Sis 630e vidio with gui acceleration (2d only). Kernel is untainted by non-GNU drivers/libs (fully open-source hardware drivers). This MB makes a great cheap server, complete comp w/o monitor cost me approx. 350$. The CUSI-FX runs 2-2.5 times faster in Linux than winblows with much less overhead, benchmarked against dead reckoning of file transfer and common daily usage. The hardware drivers are 100% better for Linux than the common win drivers, litterally no hardware borks or crashes in 1 year of running Linux, -and- more functionality. The windows drivers do not seem to use all of the functionallity of the hardware, they must have just left stuff out to increase stability. Very easy to overclock, I have a 800mhz. celeron2 oc'd to 1.2 ghz. I originally expected to use this computer for 1.5 yrs. which has been my usual turnaround, turning the old comps into servers, but after migrating to Linux I now find it unessesary for atleast another year or until the new dx9 vidio cards become Linux compatible. Unfortunately the Sis 630e vidio has no or very little support for any 3d graphics, open-gl runs at 9 fps, games like the flight-sim "Flight-gear" run at an amazing 1 fpm (frames per minute) -obsurd. I reccomend this MB for use as: server (web, samba, audio, just about any type), for text editing (programing), compiling (40-60min start to finish big linux kernel compile as ie. of speed), 2d graphics editing (gimp), and for "normal usage" (browseing, email, spreedsheet, etc). Not reccomended for 3d games (although doom runs well) or anything 3d. It is not currently for sale as new or atleast I cant find it locally, but used I estimate the cost to be 35-45$, very cheap considering all the extra onboard hardware you dont have to buy. Cmedia 8738 chip is not fully implimented on a hardware level, no SPDIF professional audio interface present or is undocumented.