I've got to come up with a spec. for a machine for research, and quick.

I'm looking at an AMD XP3800+ X2 dual core processor, and the Gigabyte GA-K8NMF9 motherboard, with suitable RAM and power supply.

I'll probably be putting Fedora Core 4 on it, but the choice of distro is of lesser importance than getting the machine running with a suitable c compiler and starting hacking immediately.

Any comments on my choice of processor and motherboard?

Cheers,

Ross-c

Suggestions? Strap it down so it doesn't take off

Used to quite like Gigabyte boards due their reliability, but had a few niggles recently. How much memory you looking at putting into it? Make sure you do get a decent power supply though, is not worth spending so much on an X2 processor + board, then £15 on a Q-Tec PSU... Most distros seem to play quite happily with the dual-core processors, so as you say, it shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Thanks. I was thinking of putting 1 or 2 gig memory on it. I note that the Gigabyte board goes to 4gig.

I will try to make sure I get a suitable PSU. Last time I built a machine for home (the new one is for work) I used an Enermax 350W PSU for an XP2600+. Seems to work OK. Clearly 350W will probably be inadequate this time, but I'm familiar with the concept of not trying to claw back pennies on the PSU.

Not having had time to research the dual core processors, I was worried about any gotchas. But from what you say and what I've seen online, things should be OK. I did note that some motherboards require (requireD?) a BIOS update to work with dual core, but the Gigabyte motherboard I mentioned was advertised as dual core ready.

However, about the comment about strapping it down so that it doesn't take off. I assure you that my research programs will slow it down to the speed of treacle on a cold morning :-(

Cheers,

Ross-c