Looking to build a cheap linux box

AMD 2800+ aren't A64, only AXP. Since you said you want to stay away from them, you can get it. 3000+ speed are only avaible for A64 and its more expensive then P4, 2.4ghz p4 is about 60 or 70 USD chepear and lowest price A64 3000. Also I believe A64 mini PC barebone would cost more than P4. If you want something cheap just get P4!

If its to learn Linux, there really is no point in getting anything faster than the slowest cpu you can find. I'm experimenting with suse and mandrake on a P2-266. rougly 10x slower than a XP. Given enough ram and a somewhat up do date harddisk, it performs okay. If I where you, I'd look for a cheap second hand, look for a SFF or pizza box in the 1 Ghz range or so. Should cost close no nothing; and more than fast enough.

If you want something "new" technology, you could consider a A64 3000+, as with Linux you'll have the opportunity to make good (well..) use of its capabilities, but it would be massive overkill for just getting your feet wet in Linux.

One more thing; though I don't see how performance would matter initially to you, note that AMD and P3 based cpu's tend to perform a better under Linux than windows compared to netburst cores. Probably due to GCC being sub optimal, and P4 needing better compilers to stretch its muscle, but that doesnt make it any less true.

= The views stated herein are my personal views, and not necessarily the views of my wife. =

^^^...i think that was funny...yes, very good. *clap clap*

My Rig:
AthlonXP 2000+ 1.677ghz
GeForce Verto FX5200 128mb DDR
Maxtor 7200RPM 80GB, Stock 40gb
Kingston 384MB DDR
Cendyne 52x24x52 CD-RW
Lite-On 4x DVD-RW
Go EMachines...