Sub $500 Linux - WeDev, surfing, streaming video, dvd

dvancamp

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Jan 23, 2010
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18,510
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP

BUDGET RANGE: Around $500

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: surfing, text editing, web development, light photo editing, netflix/hulu streaming, stalking Jessica Alba

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor(ativa 23.6 1920x1080@60), 2 500GB external HDs( 1backup, 1offsite), APC 725 UPS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: U.S.A.

PARTS PREFERENCES:

OVERCLOCKING: No SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Going to run Linux(Ubuntu 9.10). I edit source code most of the day so I don't need a ton of power. I want it to feel snappy when navigating folders and when switching/starting applications. Quiet would be nice. Non-jumpy streaming video a big plus (this netbook is not cutting it).

First time builder here. Just wanted to make sure if I mash all these parts together it will be a computer.

Started out with this MB because of the built-in graphics and I'm not really a gamer (I could be provoked to play Open Arena). Little concerned about the DDR2; will DDR3 make that big of a difference for me?
GIGABYTE GA-MA785G-UD3H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128395
$89.99

Not sure on the processor, vacillating between these:
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor Model HDZ550WFGIBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103680
$99.00

AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX250OCGQBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103681
$67.00

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122
$85.99

Any other small/quiet case suggestions welcome - I don't really need all those bays. Nothing lit-up, glowing, from the future.
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
$59.95

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008
$54.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181
$54.99

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335
$28.99

Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System - OEM
Model #:980-000023
$23.99

Subtotal: Around $465 for Athlon; $495 for Phenom
 

dvancamp

Distinguished
Jan 23, 2010
2
0
18,510
o.k. I feel stupid now. Just reread:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/269162-31-recommended-builds-usage

Basically I was looking for the Non-Gamer build already outlined there...

I changed to a smaller case:
COOLER MASTER Elite 341 RC-341C-KKN1-GP Black Steel MicroATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119193

Went with more RAM:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

Added speakers:
Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121014

And a $20 wifi card from amazon that will play nice with Ubuntu:
http://amzn.com/B0001PFQ7G
http://www.linuxemporium.co.uk/products/wireless/

That brings me in under $500. If nothing seems obviously out of whack to anyone I'm going to pull the trigger on this and go get a beer.