New Linux workstation

Tomsk · 28 Aug 2006 at 19:37

I've been asked to quote for four (maybe five) new Linux Workstations.
They will be used for chip design.

Basic requirements are:
Dual core CPU maybe dual Dual core CPUs

2GB (maybe 4GB) RAM
250GB HD
GFX - only 2d required

Q's
1. Intel or AMD
2. best motherboard chipset (or any to avoid)
3. graphics chipset - which is better or which to avoid.

I figured this forum would be a better place to ask as compatibility is more important (PC's need to work reliably) than outright performance. Also I'm not not after specific component parts yet - I'll ask for that when I start pricing up systems.

kiwi · 28 Aug 2006 at 20:15

linux hardware support is as good as windows'. the only thing to avoid is ati if you're after 3d acceleration which i doubt is top priority

Clark Nova · 29 Aug 2006 at 12:30

kiwi said:
linux hardware support is as good as windows'. the only thing to avoid is ati if you're after 3d acceleration which i doubt is top priority

I'd still make sure to go for an Nvidia card. Drivers are so much easier to get installed and it does make a big difference to things like video playback, not just games.

deano · 29 Aug 2006 at 19:58

are you building the pc's yourself or getting them from a large pc supplier?

what version of linux you planning on using on them?

cheers
deano

Tomsk · 29 Aug 2006 at 21:06

PC's will be custom built to eliminate unneccssary gfx cards, DVDRW drives that come with pre-built systems.

For a gfx card I was going use a passive cooled card for quietness. Not sure about the monitors though. Probably 1280x1024 minimum on 19/20" monitors, possibly widescreen.

Flavour of Linux will be Centos 4.

deano · 29 Aug 2006 at 21:24

do you want 64 bit

also what sort of budget do you have?

cheers
deano

Tomsk · 30 Aug 2006 at 08:27

I thought that all dual core CPU's were 64 bit?

Anyway - budget is cheap as possible, but that's not what I'm asking here. I don't need a full system quoting, just finding out about compatibility issues for now.

deano · 30 Aug 2006 at 16:27

Tomsk said:
I

Q's
1. Intel or AMD
2. best motherboard chipset (or any to avoid)
3. graphics chipset - which is better or which to avoid.

1 i would go with AMD
2 Nvidia support is good or Server works HTC1000 or 2000
3 Nvidia again

The main issuse your most likely to come across are SATA chipset lack of support and sound card support, if you have the money invest in a 3ware card = great speed and great support but not at such a great price

Also join up to the RedHat / centos mailing lists, great support from them for this type of thing

From memoery i think the Asrock 939Dual-SATA2 came out quite well for a cheap aolution.

cheers
Deano