Hi,

I,m planning to build a PC using the below components. My intention is to only run this using Linux.(There will be installed Virtual box with some Windows graphics programs such as CS3). My concern is Ive heard there are issuing using Linux and ATI video cards. If this is the case can anyone comment please.

Also the PC will be networked to this one and a laptop all lined to the net via a router all on Linux. Any known issues doing this?


CPU/Processor Intel Core i7-920 (2.66 GHz/8M/C0/4.80 GT/45nm) LGA1366
MotherBoard Intel i7 ASUS P6T-Deluxe V2(supporting Socket 1366/CF & SLi)
Desktop DDR3 Ram 6GB Kit (3x2048MB) PC12800 1600MHz Patriot
3.5" HDD SATA-300 750GB 32MB Samsung
Video Card (ATI) PCI-e 4850 x2 1GB Sapphire
WideScreen LCD Monitor 24" BenQ G2400WD (5ms/1000:1/HDMI) Black
Power Supply 700W Seasonic M12 (Modular) Super Silent
Gaming Case CoolerMaster Storm Sniper SGC-6000-KKN1-GP Black (no PSU)
2 x SAMSUNG DVR SATA DRIVE 22X

Thanks

Drivers

Nvidia graphic cards or motherboards with a Nvidia integrated graphic chip are preferred as Nvidia's proprietary linux driver works well, something that can not be said of ATI's.

Here is the list of supported chips for the Nvidia driver.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_18897.html

Here is the driver for the latest Nvidia chips.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_d...64_180.51.html

You might open and read the "README" for information.

Note that if you expect to use the latest chip, requiring 180.51, your linux distribution's kernel may not be supplied with a kernel interface from Nvidia, and the installer will default to an earlier driver revision.

Good Luck

By the way, I assume that you have googled for all of the components on your list, particularly all the chips on the motherboard, and linux compatibility, installation, problems, etc.

Hi Thanks for the reply and advice,

Excuse my ignorance as I still relatvely new to all this so I,m a little confused. I,m assuming your adviseing that Nvidia graphics and AMD mother boards have better support when running Linux?

Also I had intended to install Ubuntu 8.10 myself once the PC arrived so would appreciate clarification on your kernel interface comments?

Thanks again

AMD, who said AMD?

It is the chip that counts, be it on a separate graphics card or as integrated graphics on a motherboard. Nvidia has the best drivers, therefore Nvidia is the choice.

If you buy the latest card, it may require the latest driver, now 180.51. However, the kernel version of your chosen linux distro may not support a kernel interface for 180.51, but only for 180.44, and 180.44 may not drive that newest card.

This is explained in the README, and I only mentioned it because your list chooses quite a new card, and you might want a pair of Nvidia's latest.

I am using openSUSE 11.0 and its kernel has a patch for 180.44, therefore my 8600GT runs on 180.44. Were I to use openSUSE 11.1, I might have 180.51.

I have no opinion on AMD/Intel CPUs except that for most uses a dual core CPU is enough. Gaming is an exception. However, better, newer, graphic cards are PCI-E x16 2.0 and need a motherboard that has it, the same motherboards built for 4-core CPUs. Everything moves up together.

You want an i7 CPU and motherboard. Would not something from the former generation of 4-core processors be as good? The very latest at that high price is usually aimed at gamers who overclock. Linux does not have many games. I wonder if you need the raw power and the heat pipes. I might also wonder why you would need and would use 6GB of RAM, running a virtual installation of Windows? If so, why not save on the CPU and motherboard and get 4x2GB of good RAM (two matched pairs)?

Be aware that linux is a catchup enterprise. Many devices are best supported in linux some time after they are introduced. Manufacturers don't give immediate information or support, and some driver modules have to be written from scratch. The very newest is sometimes not the best supported.

You might check the specifications of whatever graphics cards you buy and the requirements of the 24" screen, so that the cards can produce that large pixel array at high resolutions. If you are thinking of gaming some, the response time, at 5ns is a bit slow. More links.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nvidia_...ard_comparison

I second the "do NOT get an ATI card on Linux". Thus far the drivers are not good enough. I mean, you can go ahead and try, but you wanted a recommendation.

Thanks thorkelljarl,

Looks like I have much more researching to do. You are right I am not a gamer (Hence Linux) and do not foresee ever being one. I,m tired of the sluggish slow responses I,m getting with another operating system when I,m using CS3 or my wife is video editing. Hence my tendency to go for the most grunt with our new PC. Because CS3 wont run on Linux or wine a VB is needed. (I know about Gymp but prefer CS3). I beleive a VB will chew the RAM hence why I went for 6 gig. My intention is not to try and save money but to get the best possible build that will suit my needs.If the 4 core processor will more than suit what mother board would you recommend? What Nvidia card would you use (24 inch display)? I like the idea of 2 x 4 meg ram rag (Matched pair) any recommendations for this also.

So I can continue my research can you advise where I can find the "Read me" you refer. Its probably right in front of me but I cant find it.

Appreciate your comments

I thought you were trying to build a gaming rig. I think you're overdoing it if you're not planning on gaming.

I mean if you've got lots of money, sure spend it on what I would call a very nice gaming rig. But if you don't want to play games, you will do just fine with a much much much cheaper system.

The intel i7 is probably the most expensive desktop processor on the market at this time ... I'd really like ... if I could afford it. However, compared to a much cheaper Core 2 or AMD Athlon or even Phenom, it's not worth the money, not yet.

I'd recommend you get a cheaper, yet high-end processor like a Core 2 either Quad or Duo. The Duo will actually be faster in most cases.

For a Core 2 Duo, any of the E8000 series are very good high-end processors. For a Core 2 Quad any model greater than or equal to Q9300 are very good.

For the mobo, make sure it supports the FSB freq of the processor, and make sure it support DDR2 RAM at 1067 MHz without overclocking. That will give you plenty of responsiveness for a much better price than using DDR3 RAM. Usually this means P35 or better chipset.

But, if you want the best of the best, the ultimate gaming rig, and you have the money, you can get the i7 with DDR3 RAM ... so far it's only worth it in this configuration.

OK Thanks, No i,m not after the best of the best for the sake of it or have plenty of money I just want a system that will give me plenty of digital editing functionality without comprising performance. Happy to consider the Duo or Quad and take note of your Mobo comments. What ram and Video card would you consider as adequate?

With 64-bit you can have as much RAM as the board supports, and amount of RAM is proportional to system responsiveness. I recommend at least 4 GB, but you can get more, especially on a 64-bit system, and if you plan on editing movies and large images like you said, you should get plenty of RAM, the more the better, around 8 GB would be plenty, depends on what the mobo supports. Remember to arrange them so as to get dual channel, and get a good brand with low CL (without overclocking, sometimes they report what you could get if you overclocked it)

For video card, you can get any decent nvidia card. I recommend against ATI because the drivers suck for Linux at least. So really any lower end 7000 or 8000 series, you don't need an expensive one, powerful video cards are only really needed for gaming, but they are useful when watching HD movies (using vdpau) or for 3D desktop like compiz.

ditto NVidia---they are so proactive for Linux that they should be rewarded at every turn.
To a point.....it depends on what you are doing. On average, money spent on RAM gives more performance than money spent on processor speed.

Also make sure to check the HCL before you buy a mobo, some have known issues:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/hcl/index.php/cat/8

The following link may be useful for motherboard reviews and advice:

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=home

The README

Look at this page for installing the Nvidia 180.51 driver. Step 3 has a link to the README. You might read the README.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_d...64_180.51.html

If you haven't been flooded with tons of information already...

As you can see, expert linux users (such as our friends above) prefer NVidia. I have some computers with ATI cards working in them, but they are fairly old cards and are probably obsolete.

I am not trying to brag in any sense, but I would like to share with you my PC configuration.
I have a quad-core phenom 9950. It is not a phenom black edition nor is it a phenom II. Right now I believe you can buy them for $150 or less which is outstanding for four cores.
It has a 1066 stock FSB (as recommended above, thx H_TeXMeX_H) and 4 GB of RAM. I have an XFX 750a Motherboard with NVidia SLI. I use two 8800GTS graphics cards. All in all, i think the PC only cost me 500 mucks or so. Cheaper than a piece of junk at wal-mart or best buy.

you probably already know the sites, but here they are again:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/
http://www.compusa.com/
http://www.newegg.com/
http://www.amazon.com/

Good luck!

Hi,

A few years ago, I had an ATI video card in my PC and never had any issues with it in Linux. The biggest issue was that ATI's driver was a little more of a hassle to install than Nvidia's driver, but at least you don't have to deal with that very often.