First Build: GNU/Linux, ArmA2, Photoshop

[dwrz]

Hello all,

I want to build a GNU/Linux (Kubuntu) friendly PC that can dual-boot Windows and run ArmA 2 at full specs (or "high"). I use PS pretty frequently for photography, I'd like something that works fast at 16bit work, but otherwise I have no special needs. It would be nice to have a small case I can move around, but it's not essential.

I'm a student with a very small "salary": $350 a month. I'm willing to put aside $200 a month for about 4 or 5 months. Maybe for the holidays I'll be able to get another $400.

I've got nothing so far (not even a monitor, mouse, hard drives).

Can it be done? Any advice, minimum components?

Thanks,
dwrz

[Force Flow]

Realistically speaking, you can probably build a tower for around $700-$850, get a good quality monitor for around $200-$250, and around $20 for a mouse and keyboard.

So, you're probably looking at about $950-$1150 for the whole thing if you build it yourself.

Then again, if you're not gaming, you might be able to get a Dell for that price or less. You'd just need a decent CPU (core 2 Duo) and 3-4GB of RAM. However...they all come with widescreen montiors, and anything less than a 22" widescreen looks small. Dell also has "slim" cases, but "slim" PCI/AGP/PCIe cards are hard to come by if you ever wanted to add a new card for whatever reason.

[dwrz]

Thanks. That price range does not look so bad. Gaming is definitely needed, otherwise I still have my (crappy) laptop and EeePC.

[Force Flow]

A decent gaming card adds another $150-200.

[dwrz]

Can anyone recommend specific components or explain how to find them? I'm so confused about what ram and processor match what motherboard-- what kind of processor I should be looking for, etcetera. I'm not so worried about putting it together but I have no idea where to start in terms of finding out what I need specifically.

[jon_e_33]

Originally Posted by dwrz Can anyone recommend specific components or explain how to find them? I'm so confused about what ram and processor match what motherboard-- what kind of processor I should be looking for, etcetera. I'm not so worried about putting it together but I have no idea where to start in terms of finding out what I need specifically.

Intel e8400 CPU $165
Corsair/SeaSonic/PC Power and Cooling 550w PSU $100
2/4 GB DDR2-800 RAM, Corsair or mushkin ~$40
Asus/Gigabyte p43 chipset motherboard or if you want to overclock, get a p45 chipset. $85-120
Western Digital 640gb hard drive is the fastest on the market at the moment. $75
ATI HD4850 video card $150-175
Case of your preference. ?
Lite-On dvd burner $30

About $700, not counting if you need a copy of windows, or if you're brave enough to try and game in Wine.

Look at Newegg.com for parts.

[Force Flow]

Either Asus of Intel for a motherboard over other brands.

I'd swap out the Western Digital for a Seagate.