Best Linux Distro? - RC-Monster Forums

BrianG · 02:28 PM

I am is sore need of a new computer. My current one (Athlon64 2.8GHz single core socket 754, 2GB DDR RAM, WinXP, etc) is long in the tooth.

I get discounts at work for various vendors (Dell/Alienware, HP, Mac, etc), so I've started looking for an inexpensive box (no monitor/speakers/etc) that can be upgraded in the future. My current box would need new everything, so there is no point in trying to upgrade.

Anyway, all the new PC's come with Windows7. Well, not Mac of course, but I don't want to pay premium price for not-so-premium hardware, not to mention Apple's holier-than-thou attitude. However, I really don't like Win7; I've been using it at work (no choice) and it seems like it was built just for noobs. Everything feels like a web interface, the control panel layout sucks IMO, and I still miss the old explorer shell.

So I was thinking of dual-booting Win7 (for the few games I do play) with some version of Linux. I've been reading comparisons and they all seem to be pretty inuitive now, but these comparisons leave out hardware compatibility. I've tried Linux a few times before and always had issues with hardware/drivers. Some stuff has Linux drivers (like aftermarket video cards), but haven't seen much for OEM stuff.

Any suggestions?

EDIT: Oh, and if anyone has a fairly current (Intel i5 quad core or better, >=4GB RAM, PCIe graphics, SATA drives) computer they want to get rid of, I have some items in my FS thread (link in sig) that I can use as trade...

Metallover · 09.25.2010, 03:01 PM

I am dual booting ubuntu and win7 on my computer now. I really like linux, especially the music program rhythmbox. The only problem is my new ipod isn't compatible so it looks like I'll need a way to transfer all of my music with all the artwork to windows, which will by a pita..

I had the help of a linux guy install everything onto my computer. One thing I remembered is that you should install windows first, update all your drivers, then install linux.

My system has an AMD phenom II, gigabyte mobo, ati 5770 GPU... All of my hardware seems to work great with both OS's.

BrianG · 09.25.2010, 04:35 PM

Yeah, I knew Windows should be installed first, but my major issue was always finding drivers, especially for newer or really old hardware.

If there was a good way to run Windows programs (mostly games) natively in Linux, I wouldn't even bother with Windows. It sucks to have to update the OS, and virus/spyware software every two minutes. Not to mention Windows bloatware.

kraegar · 09.25.2010, 05:03 PM

Ubuntu is pretty much the way to go for desktop linux at this point, in my opinion.

If windows 7 is installed first, you won't have an issue with dual booting. You can shrink the windows partition easily enough, ubuntu should walk you through it in the install, I think. (Been a while since I dual booted).

The only issue you typically run into normally is audio / sound cards.

It all works fine, you won't have huge problems with most modern hardware.

Have fun!

Tony

BrianG · 09.25.2010, 05:13 PM

Thanks guys!

Now to see what's out there for hardware...

kraegar · 09.25.2010, 05:26 PM

Feel free to hit me up with linux questions as you're getting started. I don't mess with the desktop side of it much, but I work with it on the server side for a living, so I might be able to help some. :)

simplechamp · 09.25.2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianG

If there was a good way to run Windows programs (mostly games) natively in Linux, I wouldn't even bother with Windows.

http://www.winehq.org/

Technically not native, but about as close as you will get, it isn't an emulator.

Metallover · 09.25.2010, 08:34 PM

A 5770 can be had for less than $150 nowadays, and it will run most games great. I play crysis warhead, GTA4, and BFBC2 on pretty high settings with good fps. I had BF on max settings but it lagged just a little during explosions and lot of smoke so I took it back a notch..

An AMD processor is my preference, twice the bang for the buck as Intel IMO. Nowadays you can put together a beastly system for less than $1000,, If you search around you can get a great system and a nice monitor for under $1000 too. :)

simplechamp · 09.25.2010, 09:09 PM

I have a similar setup to metallover for my gaming rig (AMD Phenom II X4 3.2GHz Black Edition and HD5750 GPU) and it is a great setup.

rawfuls · 09.26.2010, 07:57 PM

For that older box.. have you tried Xubuntu?

Looks to be a slowed down version of Ubuntu, exactly the same stuff, just... well, less of a powerhog.

What games do you play, may be easier to find the right setup for you..

I have a budget system (AMD Athlon II X4 620 @ 2.66GHz [Hundred dollar processor, cheapest on the market thus far], and a GTS 250)
Can run MW2 on max settings without breaking a sweat.

Just added an extra 4GB, 8GB total, this machine is rocking now..

BrianG · 09.26.2010, 08:06 PM

I'm not sure what games I'll play. For now, it's just a few ~5year old games, but only because the crappy ATI HD2600 vid card I have completely SUCKS (is actually a PCIe card with an AGP bridge chip to work with the AGP bus, but driver support is the worst ever). I tend to like driving games the most. My current older box runs XP just fine, but it is around 8-9 years old and time to retire to something a little less demanding.

At any rate, the box I want is a quad core or better, >=4GB or RAM, single graphics card (no need for dual for me), ~200GB+ SATA HDD maybe in RAID0 depending if it's even needed anymore with the current drives (don't need any more than 100GB TBH; but my backup drives would be nice to have 500GB). I'd like something upgradable so I'm not having to buy a whole new everything in a year. But I definitely want to run Linux as long as most of my current win apps will work (that is until I make my own apps to replace them).

rawfuls · 09.26.2010, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianG

I'm not sure what games I'll play. For now, it's just a few ~5year old games, but only because the crappy ATI HD2600 vid card I have completely SUCKS (is actually a PCIe card with an AGP bridge chip to work with the AGP bus, but driver support is the worst ever). I tend to like driving games the most. My current older box runs XP just fine, but it is around 8-9 years old and time to retire to something a little less demanding.

At any rate, the box I want is a quad core or better, >=4GB or RAM, single graphics card (no need for dual for me), ~200GB+ SATA HDD maybe in RAID0 depending if it's even needed anymore with the current drives (don't need any more than 100GB TBH; but my backup drives would be nice to have 500GB). I'd like something upgradable so I'm not having to buy a whole new everything in a year. But I definitely want to run Linux as long as most of my current win apps will work (that is until I make my own apps to replace them).

Well, not too hard finding drivers for the newer hardware..
That doesn't sound too bad, built my machine for a little under $300 total..
Paid about $150 for the combo (mobo and CPU) since I don't OC, nor do anything intensive, and the GTS250 on sale with like 8 Best Buy GC's taking it down to $30...

BrianG · 09.30.2010, 12:16 PM

OK, I've been doing a little shopping around to see what discounts I can get. I've also been looking around to see if Linux drivers are available for the hardware for those boxes. It seems chipset drivers for OEM stuff is kinda hard to find (and that's after you spend eons trying to figure out what chipset they use). Some aftermarket boards (like Asus) do have downloadable Linux chipset drivers, but others (like Gigabyte) don't. I know Linux may have "good enough" chipset drivers to get the system to work, but if I'm gonna spend close to a grand on a system, I'd like it to work at least somewhat close to 100% of its capability. Not looking to get every last ounce of performance, just close.

That said, I get 30% off for certain Dell machines, but again with the drivers. The Dell machine I'm looking at is: Intel quad core i7 860, Win7 Home 64-bit (which I won't be using), 8GB DDR3 (4 DIMMS), 1TB SATA drive (7200rpm), ATI Radeon HD5770, 16x DVD+/-RW. I can get this for just over $1k. I generally don't like OEM stuff though.

A similar alienware system (except it has a 500GB 10k rpm SATA drive) is $1300, which is only 20% off.

Argg. I think I'm just gonna wait a while until quad core is cheaper...

BrianG · 10.01.2010, 08:55 PM

Has anyone heard of ibuypower.com? Some of their stuff looks too flashy for me, but their prices are about on par with OEM companies like Dell, HP, etc, but use brand-name parts. Also, their selections are MUCH larger. Just wondering if anyone had bought from them before...

rawfuls · 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianG

Has anyone heard of ibuypower.com? Some of their stuff looks too flashy for me, but their prices are about on par with OEM companies like Dell, HP, etc, but use brand-name parts. Also, their selections are MUCH larger. Just wondering if anyone had bought from them before...

I believe Chris (Krawlin') has..
I'll tell him to check the thread out..

Last I recall he had a "Core 2 Extreme", nVidia GTX295, 6GB RAM, and that's all I've heard.
It's mostly just a few things here and there, never actually asked the specifics..

~~

I've heard the fairshare of people complaining about iBuyPower, and people who praised them.
I guess it really depends.
If you're really looking for a cheap system, why not just space out the purchases, since BF (Black Friday) is coming up, pick up a few parts now, and get the expensive stuff later.

Or check out TigerDirect, I know they're known for their barebone kits, I think my friend picked up a kit for around $400 which consisted of an AMD Phenom II SixCore, Some Gigabyte Mobo, OCZ 4GB Gold, TB of HD, and some other small things..

I picked up my quad core system (the entire thing) for roughly under $300, but that was because I bought everything at once.
I got the mobo/cpu combo for roughly under a hundred, memory for another hundred, VGA was about $50 give or take (Gotta love bestbuy gift cards), PSU was roughly $60 (ehhh... Not the best, cheap PSU since I don't have anything amazing that is a power hog), and the misc. for under $75...

I know if I waited, could've gotten the memory a lot cheaper, probably a nicer PSU, better, nicer case, and a nice score on the graphics..