Hardware For Linux Box.

[AGodspeed]

I'm starting to learn more and more about Linux everyday, and the reason I'm going to be building a Linux box is mainly because I want an experience outside of Windows.

First off, it seems device drivers for Linux on common hardware these days are pretty lacking (am I off?). I don't know how many motherboards actually have acceptable Linux drivers (if at all), and was wondering if any of you guys have any idea of what to get (I know nForce has Linux drivers, but I don't know if they work well though).

Secondly, what about an HD or video card? Do Seagate, WD, or Maxtor sell any good Linux HD's. What about Matrox, ATi, or nVidia for a video card?

Thirdly, which CPU am I going for here, AXP or P4. I'm thinking an AXP just because I'm not going to be doing any overclocking, but I'm not sure which is faster/smoother/optimized.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: And of course I can't forgot to ask...which Linux distro do you suggest?

 

[cleverhandle]

<< First off, it seems device drivers for Linux on common hardware these days are pretty lacking (am I off?). >>



You're off. As long as you're not trying cutting edge stuff (say, less than 6 months old), you should be fine with any recent distro. Possibly something might not autodetect at installation, but the important stuff does, and getting a sound card working is not a bad learning experience. The only real exception to this is print support - getting a simple inkjet working with linux can be trying. If you can get your hands on a Postscript printer, it makes your life much, much easier. You can find compatible hardware at the Hardware HOWTO.



<< Secondly, what about an HD or video card? Do Seagate, WD, or Maxtor sell any good Linux HD's. What about Matrox, ATi, or nVidia for a video card? >>



An IDE drive is an IDE drive is an IDE drive. You won't have any problems there. For video, I'm guessing that the GF4 is not yet supported, though I haven't looked. But all basic Matrox and Radeon functions are supported. Again, if you start getting fancy (hardware 3d acceleration, dual monitors, etc.), you need to do some more work. But that's good.



<< Thirdly, which CPU am I going for here, AXP or P4. I'm thinking an AXP just because I'm not going to be doing any overclocking, but I'm not sure which is faster/smoother/optimized. >>



Doesn't matter. Whatever makes you fiscally/ideologically happy.



<< EDIT: And of course I can't forgot to ask...which Linux distro do you suggest? >>



Redhat. SuSe, and Mandrake are good places to start, though ultimately not as good for learning as Slackware or Debian, IMO. Start with one of the first three, and go from there.

 

[IanthePez]

The only reason i don't use linux on a regular basis is becuase of my modem. There is a reason they are called "win" modems, heh. Anyway, if you don't have an external modem then you may be out of luck in using one for linux. My 3com network card works fine but that only helps when i'm at college which I won't be until August.

IanthePez

 

[SinNisTeR]

what linux you plan on using? linux likes sb, nvidia, realtek 8193 (or is it 8139?) network cards, any hd.. try not to have a ide card or raid card (it will work, but just make it less confusing for you) other than that, youre set

 

[ssanches]

<<
EDIT: And of course I can't forgot to ask...which Linux distro do you suggest? >>



I used Redhat and SuSe. I like SuSe; they bundle their distros with 100's of tiny apps covering half dozen CD's! But I cannot comment on other distros since I haven't used them. Mandrake too, so folks say, is a good distro to start out with. Try the OS forum.

Also storagereview said that the BaIV HDD was more optimized for Windows, hence the good Hi-end disk Winmark scores. You shouldn't have problems with drivers if you use RedHat (at least 7.1 and above). Heck even motorola released the drivers for the SM56 POS winmodem for RedHat

 

[SinNisTeR]

MANDRAKE 8.2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its really good for beginners and there is a TON of apps for it =)

when you are done with that, take you pick at debian or slackware.
after that go into the bsds =P

this is what i did: started with red hat, then went into suse, then a bunnnnnch of other distros, just testing then out to see how i like it. so far suse and mandrake are the ones i really liked. i then installed debian and played around a bit in the mud.. then installed freebsd (boy that was a one night stand.. ). but what ever i install.. i keep coming back to mandrake, i for one, like to have all my hardware working perfectly. =P

 

[splice]

Personally, I would start lite with linux... there is no need to build a top of the line XP or P4 system. Build a basic system...maybe a Duron 850, cheap motherboard board, cheap ATi Rage Pro 8MB+ type card, 256MB RAM, cheap realtek nic, cheap sb card, 20GB HD. As far as distro's go, they are all pretty good. I use SuSE for my SparcStation5 (110MHz), and RedHat for my x86 Duron (600MHz) box.