Hello ppl, I am looking for some suggestions from all you experienced folks.
Budget $300-$350. parts to buy CPU, mobo, memory, hard drive, video card (using salvaged parts for the others). system intended use - linux exploration, some serious programming, bit-torrent, movies, music, browsing, youtube, e-mail. maybe an occasional game but it's not a priority.
My initial choices from preliminary research:
CPU - Intel Pentium E2180 or a closely related dual-core allendale family. these seem to be going for $50-70 and my understanding is they are reasonably good. my only hard requirement is to have atleast 2 cores. I want it to handle atleast 2 simultaneous tasks comfortably.
Memory - 2x1GB DDR2 800. I find these for $40-$70. let me know if there is anything else with better price/perfomance or if you think I should increase the memory capacity. also, any brand/model suggestions appreciated.
Hard drive - I need a 7200rpm SATA drive for the OS. I would love 500GB but I can settle for >100GB for cost tradeoff. any brand/model suggestions appreciated.
MOBO - this is where I need major help. I want to pick a solid, reliable one. I can persuade myself to spend some extra bucks on something that would accomodate more advanced intel processors like quad-core, penryn etc. have good linux support. what should I look out for in a good mobo?
Video card - again I haven't come up with a specific product. I don't want anything fancy, just something good enough for the occasional gaming mood. For all parts I am inclined to go with those that have good linux support.
It's going to be a student PC and not a high-end gaming system. No over-clocking business. I'll be buying most of these parts in the US but the computer is to be assembled and used out of country. It's one reason why I am not going with a Dell system. It's a hassle to ship or carry a desktop out of country.
It would be great if you could put a ballpark cost for the items you comment on.
Appreciate all your response,
Budget $300-$350. parts to buy CPU, mobo, memory, hard drive, video card (using salvaged parts for the others). system intended use - linux exploration, some serious programming, bit-torrent, movies, music, browsing, youtube, e-mail. maybe an occasional game but it's not a priority.
My initial choices from preliminary research:
CPU - Intel Pentium E2180 or a closely related dual-core allendale family. these seem to be going for $50-70 and my understanding is they are reasonably good. my only hard requirement is to have atleast 2 cores. I want it to handle atleast 2 simultaneous tasks comfortably.
Memory - 2x1GB DDR2 800. I find these for $40-$70. let me know if there is anything else with better price/perfomance or if you think I should increase the memory capacity. also, any brand/model suggestions appreciated.
Hard drive - I need a 7200rpm SATA drive for the OS. I would love 500GB but I can settle for >100GB for cost tradeoff. any brand/model suggestions appreciated.
MOBO - this is where I need major help. I want to pick a solid, reliable one. I can persuade myself to spend some extra bucks on something that would accomodate more advanced intel processors like quad-core, penryn etc. have good linux support. what should I look out for in a good mobo?
Video card - again I haven't come up with a specific product. I don't want anything fancy, just something good enough for the occasional gaming mood. For all parts I am inclined to go with those that have good linux support.
It's going to be a student PC and not a high-end gaming system. No over-clocking business. I'll be buying most of these parts in the US but the computer is to be assembled and used out of country. It's one reason why I am not going with a Dell system. It's a hassle to ship or carry a desktop out of country.
It would be great if you could put a ballpark cost for the items you comment on.
Appreciate all your response,
