Cheap ubuntu

[csm2008]

I want to build a cheap ubuntu computer. I haven't decided on the case or psu yet and would like some advice on what to get. Also if you have any advice on other components please fell free to give it. Though any advice is welcome it is unlikely that I will allow myself to change the CPU or go less than 2gb of ram.

Also please try to keep this under $350 though with the components I have already chosen it may be hard.

cpu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103687

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231149

motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186205

hard drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136075

cd/dvd burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Thank you for your time and advice.

 

[batuchka]

Items off Egg $182

$96 X4 640 + Biostar A780L3G
http://www.microcenter.com/specials/promotions/AMDbundlePROMO.html

$278

 

[ScrewySqrl]

thats if he has a Microcenter nearby. Any why Biostar? (I've never seen a biostar mobo that didn't fry out)

my $350 suggestio, entirely from Newegg -- the stuff Batchuka chose: hard drive, ram, case, and dvd burner, and the PSU (so you can add a low-mid GPU later)

AS Rock 880 GM ($59.99)
Athlon II X4 640 (99.99)

$341.93

 

[WR2]

Also from NewEgg in mini-ITX form factor

Rosewill RC-CIX-01 Cube Mini-ITX Case with 150W Power Supply $50
AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz $60
ZOTAC 880GITX-A-E AM3 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Mini ITX MB $115
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR3 1066 $28
Asus 24x DVD burner $19
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 500GB HDD $50
$332

There is also an Asus Mini-ITX board for $125

 

[batuchka]

thats if he has a Microcenter nearby. Any why Biostar?

Cos unlike most i actually build, own and get my hands dirty with this brand and almost other brands but if one actually had factual, collected data over a decent size sample of various brands w.r.t RMA i would like to see it as i had demanded for one for a long time

For peeps who mindlessly trumpet brand A >B for no apparent reason i suggest they stop embarrassing themselves :lol:

 

[ScrewySqrl]

My personal experience with biostar is, over the years 1998-2011, seeing 5 biostar boards in my or friends computers, with all 5 dead within 2 years of purchase. Now 5 boards is probly not a great sample rate, but my experience is with 100% failure. I"ve also had 100% failure with ECS (admittedly only 2 boards). AS Rock Boards have never failed in the same time period (4 boards).

AS Rock also tends to have better quality components (like solid capacitors) than Biostar.

 

[lysinger]

Cos unlike most i actually build, own and get my hands dirty with this brand and almost other brands but if one actually had factual, collected data over a decent size sample of various brands w.r.t RMA i would like to see it as i had demanded for one for a long time

For peeps who mindlessly trumpet brand A >B for no apparent reason i suggest they stop embarrassing themselves :lol:

I am quite curious to know their documented failure rate as well.

We sent batches of them back to our distributor when I was building PCs in High School, but that was also in 1990-1992 when windows 3.1 was all the rage.

As my info is way out of date, not having touched one since, I would hope they have improved.


To answer CSM2008s question though:

Ubuntu doesn't need much oomph to run well. I have a friend who runs it on 1.6ghz P4 with a gig of ram and is quite happy.

Your build looks fine.

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

My experience is opposite. The biostar boards I've seen over the years are still running or capable of running.

 

[batuchka]

My advise is still the same:

unless one has factual, tabulated data pls refrain from misleading others - for me all/any brands makes both gems and lemons at various price points ^^

 

[csm2008]

Best answer selected by csm2008.