Building linux compatible pc, need advise

[Jesper T]

Hey all

I'm just about to upgrade my computer and then install Linux Red Hat (or try to at least :E ).

Had a look at the list of certified hardware. Common things like intel P4 didnt seem to be on the list, does that mean that it will not work with linux? or is the list just of things that people has gotten around to check?

Anyways, here are the devices I need to upgrade:
Mother Board (needs to use sdram, so i dont have to buy new ram)
CPU
3D card
Soundcard
CDROM
HD

If anyone have any tips on what brands etc.. to get I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

Jesper

[fancypiper]

Cheap Linux Box (http://www.ls.net/CheapBox.html)
The Ultimate Linux Box (http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/writings/ultimate-linux-box/ulb2001.html) - update (http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/writings/ultimate-linux-box/update.html)

[kam]

Ya for AMD!:D

[bwkaz]

Any CPU will work, with any operating system, as long as it supports the 386 instruction set. All modern Pentium-whatever compatible CPUs will work.

That said, AMD's are generally a lot cheaper for only a small drop in performance... however, it's up to you.

There are motherboards that have slots for both SDR and DDR RAM, that might be worth checking in to. That way, once you decide you want to replace some RAM, you can move it all over to DDR and get a real speed increase.

3D cards -- nVidia ones (IMNSHO) have the best driver support; the Radeon 9700 is #1 extremely expensive, and #2 not going to work in 3D mode. Actually, no Radeons after the 7500 are officially working in 3D, so yeah. Maybe once XFree86 4.3 (or 5.0) comes out they will be, but I don't see that happening real soon.

Sound -- there has been some success with SB Live! cards (not the audigy -- some people have also gotten the audigy to work, but it's harder). I like my Yamaha POS card (ymfpci driver), but it doesn't do hardly anything useful, so yeah. ;)

CDROM -- any ATAPI CDROM should work.

HD -- it really doesn't matter.

[CrashTestDummy9]

Id go with AMD...Intel Pentiums are from the devil . Besides that , look at what ever distro you want to install and choose video, sound , and modems accordingly . You cant lose with any Creative sound card unless you start getting into the Audigy's and such (with a new distro) . I like ATI graphics cards(see Bwkaz's post) but alot of ppl use NVidia's with success . A Radeon 7500 is 99 bucks almost anywhere . Have fun .

[CrashTestDummy9]

Oh and BTW ...........In my opinion stick with a VIA chipset on the MoBo . for what its worth .

[Jesper T]

Great, thanks for the info all :)

Jesper