[SOLVED] Building a new linux box (with Intel core 2 duo)

saurabh4lq · 01-01-2009, 11:23 PM

Hi all,

Wishing you all a very happy new year.
Coming to my problem ,
I am building a PC, my purpose is C programming,Exploring different
linux distributions,and watching Movies.

Before I go ahead and tell you the configuration,I would like
to tell you that,I don't want to go with AMD processors,Because

1.)I already have a laptop running AMD 64x2
2.)Ihave been told that AMD's consume more power and get heated up quickly

Now The configuration in my mind is,

Processor- Intel Core2Duo E8400 (3.0 GHz,6MB cache)
MainBoard- Intel DG33 FB motherboard
Memory- 2GB kingston DDR2 800 MHz RAM
HardDrive- 2 160/250 Samsung SATA HardDrives
(1 for stable linux, other for playing with diff distros)
CDROMs- 1 DVD writer and 1 Combo Drive
Monitor- Samsung 22 inch LCD Monitor.

I would like to hear from you,If this is the right combination,
You are welcome with all your suggestions on this.

Thanks a lot in advance.

Saurabh-
"French is the language of love,for everything else there is C"

arnuld · 01-02-2009, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saurabh4lq

1.)I already have a laptop running AMD 64x2

If you already have a laptop, I don't think you will need a new computer. Myself, I don't get much time after office to sit on my own desktop computer.

The only one thing that I can NOT do with a Laptop is to use it like a computer, like I want to watch movies and Martial-Arts videos. Still, I think, after office, If I want to do programming, then I will go with what you already have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by saurabh4lq

2.)Ihave been told that AMD's consume more power and get heated up quickly

I have been told that many times, I don't buy this theoretical viewpoint. Get real.

Quote:

Originally Posted by saurabh4lq

Processor- Intel Core2Duo E8400 (3.0 GHz,6MB cache)
MainBoard- Intel DG33 FB motherboard
Memory- 2GB kingston DDR2 800 MHz RAM
HardDrive- 2 160/250 Samsung SATA HardDrives
(1 for stable linux, other for playing with diff distros)
CDROMs- 1 DVD writer and 1 Combo Drive
Monitor- Samsung 22 inch LCD Monitor.

For your kind of work, this is more than enough. Buy a 500 GB HDD, as the price difference is not much these days. Personally, I will go for AMD, as it is much cheaper as compared to Intel and it will have same configuration. I am using AMD Athlon 2800+ with cache = (512 + 64x2) KBs from last 3 years, no heating, no problems. I still say this CPU with less than 1 MB of cache and a 1 GB DDR1 RAM of 400 MHz and 2 HDD, each of 80 GBs, is what I have found to be more than enough for programming.

Quote:

Originally Posted by saurabh4lq

I would like to hear from you,If this is the right combination, You are welcome with all your suggestions on this.

If I were you, I will never ever buy a computer without doing these 3 things:

Reading this article.
searching Linuxquestions.org for building a computer. you will find a lot of threads on this topic.
Will search different linux forums like Debian Forum dot net, archlinux forums, gentoo forums etc. for building a brand new computer.

whooooaa.. these 3 things will take up 1 week of your life but it is worth the trouble. I am sure Beachboy2 and Electro will jump in soon

farslayer · 01-02-2009, 11:27 AM

In recent tests the E8400 was the performance winnner compared to the current AMD CPU's.. no clue how long this will last, AMD is certain to return fire with a new Line.

Phoronix is a Linux Hardware Review Site, you may want to spend some time there doing research..

Phoronix Review E8400
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...2d_e8400&num=1

Is there a particular reason you spec'd a G33 Chipset ? This chipset is 1.5 years old, and true it should be well supported in Linux by now, but with a little proper research you should be able to get something more up to date that works well..

You might want to Browse the Motherboard Reviews on Phoronix as well.. and find one that will work well with that CPU.
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...m=Motherboards

Like maybe the Gigabyte EP45-DS3L - http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...45_mobos&num=1
Beware: this motherboard would require an up-to date distros with newer kernels (2.6.26 or newer probably) or it will NOT work 100%.. so if compatibility is a prime factor the G33 Motherboard may be a good choice for you.

Back to the CPU's for a moment.

Code:

Athlon X2 6400 + CPU 
Windsor (90 nm SOI)

* CPU-Stepping: F2, F3
* L1-Cache: 64 + 64 KB (Data + Instructions), per core
* L2-Cache: 256, 512 or 1024 KB fullspeed, per core
* MMX, Extended 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, AMD64, Cool'n'Quiet, NX Bit, AMD-V
* Socket AM2, HyperTransport (1000 MHz, HT1000)
* VCore: 1.25 V - 1.35 V
* Power Consumption (TDP):125 Watt 
* First Release: May 23, 2006
* Clockrate:- 3200MHz
 o 1024 KB L2-Cache:
$  	124.00  	 -   	  athlon x2 6400



Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 	
"Wolfdale" (45 nm)
* Frequency: 3000 MHz 	
* l2 Cache: 6 MB 	
* Front Side Bus: 1333 MT/s 	
* Multiplier:  9x 	
* VCore:  0.85 – 1.3625 V 	
* Power Consumption (TDP):  65 W 	
* Socket: LGA775 	
*First released:  January 20, 2008
 $  	159.98   - 	  core 2 duo e8400

There is a comparative review here of the E8x00 Serives Vs the Athlon X2 6400+
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu...lfdale_11.html

I'd say the Intel currently has Lower heat generation and Power consumption... The manufacturing process alone should be an indicator 90nm vs 45 nm. the 45 nm process is going to require a lower voltage, wiich will draw less power, and in turn generate less heat.

So much for the "theoretical viewpoint" it appears to be fact.

As for your currently spec'd system I can't fault anything there. Intel makes some very stable motherboards, I have a few. The CPU is the same one I was looking at for a current upgrade project based on price/perfomrance. The rest of the conmponents are common and don't affect much, provided they are quality components..

beachboy2 · 01-11-2009, 03:10 AM

saurabh4lq,
Welcome to LQ and a happy New Year to you too.
First of all, you are doing exactly the right thing by asking for advice on Linux-compatible components BEFORE purchasing them.
I am afraid that it is a complete fallacy that AMD processors are power hungry and run hot. Check out the reviews from these satisfied customers. Notice how often cool or cool-running crops up.
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000 Brisbane 2.6GHz (65w)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103211
AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 (45w)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103255
Intel make some excellent processors like the E8400, but why pay a much higher price compared to the above?
Spend some of the money saved on a decent Linux-friendly nvidia graphics card. Avoid ATI drivers at the moment for Linux is my advice. Just Google “ATI Linux driver problem” to see what I mean.
Make sure that the graphics card, fanless if possible for quietness, is capable of giving a high enough resolution for your Samsung monitor. This should be okay.
Others can possibly give you specific recommendations but do not spend too much on this item.
You cannot go wrong with this good-value, quality motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-MA770-DS3 AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX All Solid Capacitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128081
That Intel DG33 FB board you mention has had more than its fair share of problems in Linux, if you care to do a quick Google search.
For memory, definitely go for at least 2GB of Corsair RAM. It is excellent quality, cheap and has a lifetime warranty.
CASE & PSU good value combo: Antec NSK6580 or Antec4480 (430w/380w).
Well made cases and good psus.
For a separate psu with a different case, try Seasonic.
To calculate your recommended psu wattage look here:
http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/

For case fan(s) I recommend the quiet Akasa Amber 120/92mm ones.
Use Arctic5 Silver paste on CPU/heatsink.
Good luck with your build and don't forget to use a cheapo earth strap.

saurabh4lq · 01-12-2009, 05:43 AM

Hi all,

Thnaks a lot to all of you for your suggestions.
I have assembeled a PC ,So I thought I must share my config with those who helped me deciding.

CPU-Intel Core2Duo E8400 (3.0 GHz,6MB Cache)

MB-Gigabyte EG41MF-S2H (With onboard DVI and HDMI port,intel g41 xpress chipset)
(At the time only this Gigabyte mb was available(Intel compatible)

HArdDrive- Seagate 250GB SATA
RAM-Transcend 2GB DDR2 800MHz
OpticalDrive-LG DVD writer 22x
Monitor-Samsung T220 22' LCD Monitor with DVI port

Beachboy,I could not keep your ideas in consideration as I had already bought this a week ago.(but thakns anyways for the response).

Now having bought and assembled my PC,I would like suggestions/ideas
reagarding my configuration.

--------------
Thanking you
--Saurabh--
"Unix is simple,But It takes a genious to understand this simplicity"

farslayer · 01-12-2009, 08:38 AM

We would like feedback from you on what Distro[s] of Linux you have installed on it, how the process went, and if everything worked out of the box or if it made you fight to get everything working..

Could you post the output of lscpi so we can see what all is on the motherboard ?

I see that intel added support for the graphics chipset (X4500) on this Motherboard in June of 2008.. so Depending on What distro you install you might need to obtain updated intel graphics drivers.

What an odd note on the Spec page for that Motherboard..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigabyte Website

Because of chipset limitations
* To avoid the system being unable to start or the memory being incorrectly detected, if only one memory module is to be installed, we suggest that you install it on the DDR2_1 or DDR2_3 socket; to install two memory modules, we suggest that you install them on the DDR2_1 and DDR2_3 sockets.
* Do not populate both DIMM sockets of the same channel (e.g. DDR and DDR2), or populate 4 DIMM sockets with double-sided memory modules to prevent system's failure to start or incorrect detection of memory modules. Please refer to the user manual for the memory configurations table.

Not a big deal really, just a strong suggestion of how to properly install the memory modules on the board.

Looking forward to hearing about your experiences.

saurabh4lq · 01-13-2009, 09:51 AM

here is the lspci output for my machine

1)lspci

Code:

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 4 Series Chipset DRAM Controller (rev 03)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 4 Series Chipset Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation 4 Series Chipset Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) High Definition Audio Controller (rev 01)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 1 (rev 01)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 2 (rev 01)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 01)
00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 01)
00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 01)
00:1d.3 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #4 (rev 01)
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 01)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 PCI Bridge (rev e1)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801GB/GR (ICH7 Family) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 01)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) IDE Controller (rev 01)
00:1f.2 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801GB/GR/GH (ICH7 Family) SATA IDE Controller (rev 01)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) SMBus Controller (rev 01)
02:00.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller (rev 02)
03:01.0 Multimedia controller: Philips Semiconductors SAA7130 Video Broadcast Decoder (rev 01)
03:07.0 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Texas Instruments TSB43AB23 IEEE-1394a-2000 Controller (PHY/Link)

disros- I have installed ubuntu 8.10(32-bit) and archLinux(64bit)
on the machine.
Most of the basic things required worked out of the box.
Except- (I am not able to configure X properly,My monitor supports
1650x1080 but what i am getting is 1280x1024.

I searched a lot for intel g41 chipset graphics drivers ,
and downloaded and compiled a version from here

http://intellinuxgraphics.org

But this driver didn't work for me.(may be I could not install it properly)

Sound works perfect in archLinux but in case of Ubuntu I get a strange 'tic-tic' sound with an interval of 1-2 seconds continuously from speakers.
(this tic-tic sound is very low,but if no other sound is being played (e.g. by audacious or mplayer) this tic-tic can be heard.

I have not tested HDMI/DVI devices yet.

If you want to know more please tell me.

farslayer · 01-13-2009, 11:34 AM

For Ubuntu 8.10 the included intel driver should work for that graphics chipset (intel x4500).
xserver-xorg-video-intel - X.Org X server -- Intel i8xx, i9xx display

the one you downloaded is also correct, not sure where you ran into trouble compiling it.

The 'intel' driver should be able to handle displaying the 1650x1080 resolution.

NT4usB · 01-25-2009, 08:12 PM

Hi.
New to the group, 3 years new to Linux.
Been googling for weeks, looking for solutions to make the Intel driver work via DVI on a EG41MF-S2H.
This is the first post I've found mentioning Linux, EG41MF-S2H, and the belief that it works.
Would be very interested in how you got it to work.

saurabh4lq · 01-27-2009, 12:26 AM

Hi NT4usb,

Quote:

looking for solutions to make the Intel driver work via DVI on a EG41MF-S2H.

I don't know if it works with DVI, As I have not tested DVI at all,I have connected it using VGA.
I installed Ubuntu 8.10 and it just worked.(Still not getting the full resolution supported by my Monitor).
There are very few posts related to this EG41-S2h motherboard.If I come across something related to it,I will let you know.

Can I know what distro and which kernel are you using?

NT4usB · 01-27-2009, 12:01 PM

I've worn out google, looking for solutions...
Ubuntu installs and works fine but only with the vesa driver and only VGA.
The vesa driver won't give full resolution.
There's a hack that alleges to fix it but I haven't tried it.
Here's one reference to the hack:
http://slibuntu.wordpress.com/2007/0...ge-resolution/
http://www.geocities.com/stomljen/
The intel driver gives me crap using VGA, cursor is a colorful 1" square of fuzz...
'no screens found' via DVI.
I've also tried Debian testing.
I finally got Fedora 10 to install, what a huge pita that was... So far, it's only vesa but I've only just begun to mess with it.

farslayer · 01-27-2009, 09:32 PM

the intel driver for your card should have been included with ubuntu 8.10 .. in fact Ubuntu was the First distro to include those updated intel drivers. .

sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-intel

You shouldn't have needed to download and compile anything.

Electro · 01-27-2009, 10:56 PM

saurabh4lq, the setup is OK. I would rate it mid quality. If you wanted support for multi-monitor support, either ATI or nVidia graphics are better. Using Intel graphics in Linux creates some problems setting up to a desire resolution like what you are experiencing.

The tick-tick sound is the noise of the bus. On-board sound is not good to minimize noise. A dedicated sound card such as Asus Xonar D1/DX will be a lot better. The Asus Xonar should work in Linux.

Seagate hard drives are OK. I found they have higher latency compared to other hard drive brands. Also they are not compatible with all hardware. I prefer Western Digital or Hitachi.

An LG optical is the worst to get. My LG, supposed to replace my Pioneer drive, just did not work reliable. Since my Pioneer drive is going, I went back to my old ASUS optical drive. After several years later, the ASUS drive still works. I suggest an ASUS optical drive because is best to pay for quality products.

LCD monitors are OK. Compare it to a CRT and LCD starts losing. LCD does not produce vibrant colors. LCD quality gets worst when using lower resolutions than it was designed for.

If I had to buy a computer right now, I would select an AMD system. The following is what I would go with.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...Number=7802805

farslayer, your calculations are off because you did not count for that Athlon64 and Phenom processors have a built-in memory controller. The Core 2 Duo processors does not. Intel may seem they consume less, but overall both consume about the same. When going for on-board graphics, AMD right now is the best to select. AMD systems provides better graphics support in Linux compared to Intel.

NT4usB · 01-28-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farslayer

the intel driver for your card should have been included with ubuntu 8.10 .. in fact Ubuntu was the First distro to include those updated intel drivers. .
...
You shouldn't have needed to download and compile anything.

You'd think...
That's where I started.
Debian and Fedora don't get me any closer.
Going to head back to Intrepid and try some other stuff.
Best move would be put this box in the closet and build something around Nvidia... but it's personal now.

farslayer · 01-29-2009, 10:07 AM

Naw don't stuff it in the closet just send it to me..