New Linux workstation

[Tomsk]

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.

 

[Tomsk]

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.

 

[Tomsk]

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.