Advice on my first build with limited budget

[indigo]

I'm looking to build a very basic system for scientific computing. My budget is about $500. I would like to go AMD, but someone told me that Intel chip has a better math coprocessor. Is this true? I was thinking about Intel 4 640 or AMD of the equivalent level. I would like to get a budget case with compatible power supply, a motherboard with onboard video (I just need minimum graphic capability), 80GB HDD, CD-RW, and 1GB memory. Would the following motherboard work with this system?

ABIT SG-80 Socket T (LGA 775) SIS 661FX Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

I don't need any monitor, speakers, keybaord or mouse.

Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

[12twelve12]

This was my first build that I just completed last week. Very easy and very good basic system.

MSI RS482M-IL Socket 754 ATI Radeon XPRESS 200 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Good onboard video and audio.

AMD Sempron 64 2800+

Kingston RAM

Western Digital 80GB Hard Drive

NEC Black DVD Burner

Antec Solution SLK1650B Black Steel ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply

$334 (not including OS)

Plus it has an open PCI Express slot for adding a good video card in the future if wanted. Very easy build and cheap. Can't say anything about Intel being better for calculations...I'll let someone else tackle that one.

[avx]

While your looking at motherboards you should keep in mind that Intel procesors perform the best with Intel chipsets, and AMD processors performe the best with nforce chipsets. Its not necessary, but this is something I like to keep in mind when I like at mobo's, I would definetly not go SiS with an Intel processor.

Why does everyone seem to be going Micro ATX?

[indigo]

Originally Posted by 12twelve12 This was my first build that I just completed last week. Very easy and very good basic system. MSI RS482M-IL Socket 754 ATI Radeon XPRESS 200 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard Good onboard video and audio. AMD Sempron 64 2800+ Kingston RAM Western Digital 80GB Hard Drive NEC Black DVD Burner Antec Solution SLK1650B Black Steel ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply $334 (not including OS) Plus it has an open PCI Express slot for adding a good video card in the future if wanted. Very easy build and cheap. Can't say anything about Intel being better for calculations...I'll let someone else tackle that one.

Thank you for your recommendation! I was looking at the newegg.com pages and saw that some people recommend

BIOSTAR TForce6100

with AMD Sempron 64 2800+ because of its overclockability. And the combo is on sale! If I go with the BIOSTAR motherboard and try overclocking it, do I need to concern about the power supply and a kind of memory I use? Or can I just go with what 12twelve12 recommended? I am clueless about overclocking (and building a new system in general).

[Alaron]

Originally Posted by indigo I am clueless about overclocking (and building a new system in general).

I like the list that twelve posted. It's a good budget setup.

Biostar does not have a great reputation, and I would not bother with overclocking. Not only is it your first build, but you don't need any extra performance for your needs.

[12twelve12]

Originally Posted by avx Why does everyone seem to be going Micro ATX?

Well if your reffering to the build I listed above it's not that I went for Micro it's that I was looking for a decent motherboard with onboard video/audio, PCI Express slot and that was reasonably priced. The MSI fit the bill and it just so happened to be micro-atx. Nothing wrong with using micro is there? I mean it fits in a standard atx, it does what I need it to so no big deal in my eyes.

[indigo]

Great! I am inclined to go with what 12twelve12 recommended. I have one more question, though. If it is possible, I would like to make it windows xp and linspire dual-boot. The motherboard MSI RS482M-IL seems to be incompatible with Linux unfortunately. Is this true? Any suggestions for alternative motherboard with onboard video that is compatible with Linux? Am I asking too much?

[12twelve12]

You can use Ubuntu Linux with this motherboard. This from the Jan issue of MaximumPC regarding this motherboard and Ubuntu:


"There is a small incompatibility with the onboard video and Ubuntu but there is an easy fix. Just edit a single file before you start the GUI. The first time you boot after the Ubuntu install completes, press ESC during the boot process and go into the Ubuntu recovery console. From there, type: nano/etc/x11/xorg.conf and scroll down to the line that says Device "ATI." Replace "ATI" with "vesa", press ctrl+o, then ctrl+x, and restart your computer. After that you should be good to go."

Hope this helps.


Edit: Look at Zipzoomfly.com for parts also. I linked to Neweg because of the deatailed specs and great pictures that they have for their products. I like Newegg but I found the above parts at ZZF for a bit cheaper plus FREE 2 day FedEx bringing the overall savings to almost $30 over Newegg. I ordered the parts on a Wed, shipped on Thurs and was delivered by FedEx on Sat...not bad.

[indigo]

Wow! You are so wonderful! I didn't know about Ubuntu Linux. I think I'll go with it since it is free. I'll try ZZF and may be able to build it this weekend! I'm very excited. Thank you so much, 12twelve12!

[rightcoast]

After getting the GUI up and going using vesa, or before if you have another PC to follow the thread on, you should go with the fgrlx driver which is fairly easy to do for someone new to Linux, far superior to vesa, and offers support for the Radeon Xpress 200 which is on there . http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthre...g-driver-fglrx
HTH

[indigo]

This is such a great forum. Thank you for everyone who replied.

[12twelve12]

Originally Posted by indigo Wow! You are so wonderful! I didn't know about Ubuntu Linux. I think I'll go with it since it is free. I'll try ZZF and may be able to build it this weekend! I'm very excited. Thank you so much, 12twelve12!

Gosh (moving foot around in the dirt and looking down at the ground with hands in pocket) That was nice of you to say. lol. You are very welcome. Good luck and have fun!

[Panama Red]

I'm in agreement too with 12's suggestion, except for one thing. I've built two pc's using pretty much the same setup. But one had lockup problems that turned out to be the Kingston ram being incompatible. I replaced it with Corsair like I had used in the first build and they both run sweet now. Mine were the earlier version of that mobo, the RS480M-IL. If this saves ya some grief, all the better.

[12twelve12]

Originally Posted by Panama Red I'm in agreement too with 12's suggestion, except for one thing. I've built two pc's using pretty much the same setup. But one had lockup problems that turned out to be the Kingston ram being incompatible. I replaced it with Corsair like I had used in the first build and they both run sweet now. Mine were the earlier version of that mobo, the RS480M-IL. If this saves ya some grief, all the better.

I agree with Red. Although I have had no problems running the Kingston ram with this mobo, yet, why take the chance. Get the Corsair.... click here for 512 or here for 1GB

I bought the Kingston before knowing about Panama Red's prior problems. I think this new version mobo had addressed the issues but like I said earlier...why take a chance.