| Author |
Message |
Carolyn Marenger
*nix forums beginner
Joined: 11 Apr 2005
Posts: 33
|
 Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 11:57 am Post subject:
Mandriva compatibility for system upgrade
|
|
|
It is about that time of decade that I get myself some new hardware. My
thoughts are that I want a 64bit system, can't get much else these days. I
probably want a dual core, either AMD or INTEL. I like my current dual
header configuration, and I think I want to up it to three monitors. I
will start with 1GB RAM, but may get 2GB. While I am at it, I also think I
will get a two 160GB SATA-II drives in a raid-1 configuration. Last but
not least, I want a DVD burner.
I can either build my own, or get something along the lines of a HP dx5150
and add a few extras to it. Any suggestions as far as compatibility goes?
Anything I should stay away from?
Thanks for the advice!
Carolyn
-- |
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Aragorn
*nix forums Guru
Joined: 19 Feb 2005
Posts: 1207
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:18 pm Post subject:
Re: Mandriva compatibility for system upgrade
|
|
|
On Friday 14 July 2006 13:57, carolyn stood up and spoke the following
words to the masses in /alt.os.linux.mandrake...:/
| Quote: | It is about that time of decade that I get myself some new hardware.
My thoughts are that I want a 64bit system, can't get much else these
days. I probably want a dual core, either AMD or INTEL.
|
As things currently are, I would advise you to go for AMD. It's more
affordable than Intel and their current CPU's are technically superior,
in my humble opinion.
| Quote: | I like my current dual header configuration, and I think I want to up
it to three monitors.
I will start with 1GB RAM, but may get 2GB.
|
Get 2 GB, or perhaps 4 GB. Gives you enough headroom. ;-)
| Quote: | While I am at it, I also think I will get a two 160GB SATA-II drives
in a raid-1 configuration.
|
Well, SCSI is better than SATA, but it's _your_ money... 
RAID 1 is definitely recommended.
| Quote: | Last but not least, I want a DVD burner.
|
Plextor and HP are very good.
| Quote: | I can either build my own, or get something along the lines of a HP
dx5150 and add a few extras to it.
|
I think building your own would be a better option. Be very meticulous
about what you want. Do enough research on compatibility issues.
Don't let anyone sell you something you don't need or want just because
it happens to be a hot item in the market.
| Quote: | Any suggestions as far as compatibility goes? Anything I should stay
away from?
|
When I was still subscribed to /comp.os.linux.advocacy,/ rumor had it
that ASUS doesn't support GNU/Linux, so I'd stay away from that.
I don't know about any compatibility issues with the /nForce/ chipset,
but it does seem very promising: no separate chips for North- and
Southbridge anymore, which equals higher speeds.
You may be interested in ECC memory. It's more expensive than regular
memory, and your motherboard and BIOS must support it, but it's
definitely worth it if you keep your machine up 24/7.
Also, buy memory with a lifetime warranty: Corsair, Transcend, Kingston,
stuff like that. Don't buy "el cheapo" memory, because it's bound to
break soon enough.
| Quote: | Thanks for the advice!
|
Just my two cents... ;-)
--
With kind regards,
*Aragorn*
(Registered GNU/Linux user #223157) |
|
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Dan Espen
*nix forums Guru
Joined: 20 Feb 2005
Posts: 311
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:30 pm Post subject:
Re: Mandriva compatibility for system upgrade
|
|
|
carolyn <cajunk@marenger.com> writes:
| Quote: | It is about that time of decade that I get myself some new hardware. My
thoughts are that I want a 64bit system, can't get much else these days. I
probably want a dual core, either AMD or INTEL. I like my current dual
header configuration, and I think I want to up it to three monitors. I
will start with 1GB RAM, but may get 2GB. While I am at it, I also think I
will get a two 160GB SATA-II drives in a raid-1 configuration. Last but
not least, I want a DVD burner.
I can either build my own, or get something along the lines of a HP dx5150
and add a few extras to it.
|
You can get exactly the parts you want at United Micro or Monarch.
I used the former and I'm very happy with the result. |
|
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Carolyn Marenger
*nix forums beginner
Joined: 11 Apr 2005
Posts: 33
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:31 pm Post subject:
Re: Mandriva compatibility for system upgrade
|
|
|
Aragorn wrote:
| Quote: | On Friday 14 July 2006 13:57, carolyn stood up and spoke the following
words to the masses in /alt.os.linux.mandrake...:/
It is about that time of decade that I get myself some new hardware.
My thoughts are that I want a 64bit system, can't get much else these
days. I probably want a dual core, either AMD or INTEL.
As things currently are, I would advise you to go for AMD. It's more
affordable than Intel and their current CPU's are technically superior,
in my humble opinion.
I like my current dual header configuration, and I think I want to up
it to three monitors.
I will start with 1GB RAM, but may get 2GB.
Get 2 GB, or perhaps 4 GB. Gives you enough headroom. ;-)
While I am at it, I also think I will get a two 160GB SATA-II drives
in a raid-1 configuration.
Well, SCSI is better than SATA, but it's _your_ money... ;-)
RAID 1 is definitely recommended.
Last but not least, I want a DVD burner.
Plextor and HP are very good.
I can either build my own, or get something along the lines of a HP
dx5150 and add a few extras to it.
I think building your own would be a better option. Be very meticulous
about what you want. Do enough research on compatibility issues.
|
I am considering both options. Generally I like the build your own, however
the hp-dx5150 comes in at about 2/3rds the price of a comparable build your
own. It is Red Hat certified, and hopefully it would work with Mandriva.
Hopefully? I am not sold on it, but it does look promising.
| Quote: | Don't let anyone sell you something you don't need or want just because
it happens to be a hot item in the market.
Any suggestions as far as compatibility goes? Anything I should stay
away from?
When I was still subscribed to /comp.os.linux.advocacy,/ rumor had it
that ASUS doesn't support GNU/Linux, so I'd stay away from that.
I don't know about any compatibility issues with the /nForce/ chipset,
but it does seem very promising: no separate chips for North- and
Southbridge anymore, which equals higher speeds.
|
Sounds good.
| Quote: | You may be interested in ECC memory. It's more expensive than regular
memory, and your motherboard and BIOS must support it, but it's
definitely worth it if you keep your machine up 24/7.
|
That is a good thought.
| Quote: | Also, buy memory with a lifetime warranty: Corsair, Transcend, Kingston,
stuff like that. Don't buy "el cheapo" memory, because it's bound to
break soon enough.
|
On a humourous note, the last batch of cheap no-name RAM I bought outlasted
the IMB and HP computers (motherboards) they were installed in. Actually
the IDE controller on one died a few months ago, and the IDE/Keyboard on
the second died a couple of days ago - with the onboard video getting
flakey at the same time.
| Quote: | Thanks for the advice!
Just my two cents... ;-)
|
Any suggestions on video cards for a triple header?
Your two cents are worth many people's $100 bills!
Thanks, Carolyn |
|
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Aragorn
*nix forums Guru
Joined: 19 Feb 2005
Posts: 1207
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:00 pm Post subject:
Re: Mandriva compatibility for system upgrade
|
|
|
On Friday 14 July 2006 14:31, carolyn stood up and spoke the following
words to the masses in /alt.os.linux.mandrake...:/
| Quote: | Aragorn wrote:
I think building your own would be a better option. Be very
meticulous about what you want. Do enough research on compatibility
issues.
I am considering both options. Generally I like the build your own,
however the hp-dx5150 comes in at about 2/3rds the price of a
comparable build your own.
|
Hmm... It may be only a low-end machine, though. If you build your own
- or have someone do it for you - then you get to choose the parts, and
then you can leave out what you don't need and include stuff you think
is worth it.
| Quote: | It is Red Hat certified, and hopefully it would work with
Mandriva.
|
Most likely it will, then. After all, RH and Mandriva are not too
different on the hardware support level.
| Quote: | Hopefully? I am not sold on it, but it does look promising.
|
Like I said, it's _your_ money... ;-)
| Quote: | Don't let anyone sell you something you don't need or want just
because it happens to be a hot item in the market.
Any suggestions as far as compatibility goes? Anything I should stay
away from?
When I was still subscribed to /comp.os.linux.advocacy,/ rumor had it
that ASUS doesn't support GNU/Linux, so I'd stay away from that.
I don't know about any compatibility issues with the /nForce/
chipset, but it does seem very promising: no separate chips for
North- and Southbridge anymore, which equals higher speeds.
Sounds good.
|
I'd still advise checking for incompatibility issues though. The
/nForce/ chipset does a lot more these days than just provide the
basics of a North- or Southbridge, and if you want to use those extras
- SATA, among other things - it had better be supported. ;-)
| Quote: | You may be interested in ECC memory. It's more expensive than
regular memory, and your motherboard and BIOS must support it, but
it's definitely worth it if you keep your machine up 24/7.
That is a good thought.
|
This will of course put your machine in the higher priceranges. This is
professional workstation/server stuff. I have it myself - Transcend,
4x 1 GB.
| Quote: | Any suggestions on video cards for a triple header?
|
Hmm... I would advise three different cards, or at least two. There are
of course some expensive ATI cards intended for multi-head set-up, but
I'm not too savvy regarding the latest of such cards.
| Quote: | Your two cents are worth many people's $100 bills!
|
Ouch... That is quite a responsibility you put on my shoulders... ;-)
--
With kind regards,
*Aragorn*
(Registered GNU/Linux user #223157) |
|
| Back to top |
|
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Carolyn Marenger
*nix forums beginner
Joined: 11 Apr 2005
Posts: 33
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:43 pm Post subject:
Re: Mandriva compatibility for system upgrade
|
|
|
Aragorn wrote:
| Quote: | On Friday 14 July 2006 14:31, carolyn stood up and spoke the following
words to the masses in /alt.os.linux.mandrake...:/
Aragorn wrote:
I think building your own would be a better option. Be very
meticulous about what you want. Do enough research on compatibility
issues.
I am considering both options. Generally I like the build your own,
however the hp-dx5150 comes in at about 2/3rds the price of a
comparable build your own.
Hmm... It may be only a low-end machine, though. If you build your own
- or have someone do it for you - then you get to choose the parts, and
then you can leave out what you don't need and include stuff you think
is worth it.
|
I am not sure if it could be called a low end machine. AMD 64X2 3800 (dual
core), 1GB RAM, 160GB SATA-II, Radeon 9600 onboard video, 1GB ethernet,
DVD+/-R burner, and a multimedia card reader. It isn't top of the line,
but it does seem to be up there. I would want to upgrade to support three
monitors, 2 minimum, 2-4 GBs RAM (as per your suggestion), and a second
hard drive to set up RAID1.
| Quote: | It is Red Hat certified, and hopefully it would work with
Mandriva.
Most likely it will, then. After all, RH and Mandriva are not too
different on the hardware support level.
|
That is what I thought.
| Quote: | Hopefully? I am not sold on it, but it does look promising.
Like I said, it's _your_ money...
|
On a technicality, it could be called my wife's money. :)
| Quote: | Don't let anyone sell you something you don't need or want just
because it happens to be a hot item in the market.
Any suggestions as far as compatibility goes? Anything I should stay
away from?
When I was still subscribed to /comp.os.linux.advocacy,/ rumor had it
that ASUS doesn't support GNU/Linux, so I'd stay away from that.
I don't know about any compatibility issues with the /nForce/
chipset, but it does seem very promising: no separate chips for
North- and Southbridge anymore, which equals higher speeds.
Sounds good.
I'd still advise checking for incompatibility issues though. The
/nForce/ chipset does a lot more these days than just provide the
basics of a North- or Southbridge, and if you want to use those extras
- SATA, among other things - it had better be supported.
|
I will check it, before I pay for it.
| Quote: | You may be interested in ECC memory. It's more expensive than
regular memory, and your motherboard and BIOS must support it, but
it's definitely worth it if you keep your machine up 24/7.
That is a good thought.
This will of course put your machine in the higher priceranges. This is
professional workstation/server stuff. I have it myself - Transcend,
4x 1 GB.
Any suggestions on video cards for a triple header?
Hmm... I would advise three different cards, or at least two. There are
of course some expensive ATI cards intended for multi-head set-up, but
I'm not too savvy regarding the latest of such cards.
|
I have a Radeon 7500 - dual header, and it works great in the older versions
of Mandrake. Mandriva doesn't support it, and I have not been able to get
it working.
| Quote: | Your two cents are worth many people's $100 bills!
Ouch... That is quite a responsibility you put on my shoulders... ;-)
|
The responsibility is on my shoulders. Your advice however always seems to
be good - very reliable.
Thanks, Carolyn
--
Carolyn Marenger |
|
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|
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Aragorn
*nix forums Guru
Joined: 19 Feb 2005
Posts: 1207
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:39 pm Post subject:
Re: Mandriva compatibility for system upgrade
|
|
|
On Friday 14 July 2006 15:43, carolyn stood up and spoke the following
words to the masses in /alt.os.linux.mandrake...:/
| Quote: | Aragorn wrote:
Hmm... It may be only a low-end machine, though. If you build your
own - or have someone do it for you - then you get to choose the
parts, and then you can leave out what you don't need and include
stuff you think is worth it.
I am not sure if it could be called a low end machine. AMD 64X2 3800
(dual core), 1GB RAM, 160GB SATA-II, Radeon 9600 onboard video, 1GB
ethernet, DVD+/-R burner, and a multimedia card reader. It isn't top
of the line, but it does seem to be up there. I would want to upgrade
to support three monitors, 2 minimum, 2-4 GBs RAM (as per your
suggestion), and a second hard drive to set up RAID1.
|
Well, check out the motherboard and chipset as well. Personally I don't
like VIA chipsets - don't ask me why; possibly I've seen too much
trouble arise with those.
I would definitely recommend at least 2 GB of RAM, but preferably 4 GB
for a 64-bit machine. RAID 1 is also definitely a must if you care
about your data. ;-)
| Quote: | Like I said, it's _your_ money... ;-)
On a technicality, it could be called my wife's money. 
|
Better be careful with it then, at the risk of a domestic war breaking
loose... ;-ž
| Quote: | I'd still advise checking for incompatibility issues though. The
/nForce/ chipset does a lot more these days than just provide the
basics of a North- or Southbridge, and if you want to use those
extras - SATA, among other things - it had better be supported. ;-)
I will check it, before I pay for it.
|
Well, I meant the specs of the machine against reports on the Net on how
it works or doesn't work. ;-)
| Quote: | Any suggestions on video cards for a triple header?
Hmm... I would advise three different cards, or at least two. There
are of course some expensive ATI cards intended for multi-head
set-up, but I'm not too savvy regarding the latest of such cards.
I have a Radeon 7500 - dual header, and it works great in the older
versions of Mandrake. Mandriva doesn't support it, and I have not
been able to get it working.
|
That is odd since even a /vanilla/ X.Org is supposed to support it with
its native driver. I'm also quite sure that ATI offers proprietary
drivers for it, but you may need to fetch those from their website
yourself.
| Quote: | Your two cents are worth many people's $100 bills!
Ouch... That is quite a responsibility you put on my shoulders... ;-)
The responsibility is on my shoulders. Your advice however always
seems to be good - very reliable.
|
Thanks - I do my best. ;-)
--
With kind regards,
*Aragorn*
(Registered GNU/Linux user #223157) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Matthew McPherson
*nix forums beginner
Joined: 30 May 2005
Posts: 16
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 3:06 am Post subject:
Re: Mandriva compatibility for system upgrade
|
|
|
On Fri, 14 Jul 2006 07:57:05 -0400, carolyn wrote:
| Quote: | It is about that time of decade that I get myself some new hardware. My
thoughts are that I want a 64bit system, can't get much else these days. I
probably want a dual core, either AMD or INTEL. I like my current dual
header configuration, and I think I want to up it to three monitors. I
will start with 1GB RAM, but may get 2GB. While I am at it, I also think I
will get a two 160GB SATA-II drives in a raid-1 configuration. Last but
not least, I want a DVD burner.
I can either build my own, or get something along the lines of a HP dx5150
and add a few extras to it. Any suggestions as far as compatibility goes?
Anything I should stay away from?
Thanks for the advice!
Carolyn
|
Well, my preference has always been AMD for processors. As for video, I
recommend nVidia. I run two Rosewill 6600 w/ 256MB memory in SLi mode on a
Biostar nforce4 board with 1 250GB Seagate SATAII. Don't need Raid.
Yet. They only issue I had was to pass nolapic to the kernel at boot. The
Mandriva packaged SATA drivers won't load otherwise. When set up in SLi,
the installer automatically tried to setup Cinerama. As I only run a
single display, it was a pain to determine which connector to use even
after I disabled it. I inly run SLi stuff under Windows. Games. Each card
has two connectors, one VGA and one DVI. Also has S-Video output too.
The Mandriva packaged drivers include support for the onboard NIC but is
limited to 10/100 only. For the use of Gigabit you would need the drivers
directly from nVidia.
I have yet to really bog down this system. Everything runs very well. So
far, I am impressed with the nForce4 system. And when looking for
driver support for nVidia anything, they officially support us
Penguinheads. ATI from what I have heard is a little slow with what they
do support. |
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Martin Schöön
*nix forums Guru
Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 2122
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 5:28 am Post subject:
Re: Mandriva compatibility for system upgrade
|
|
|
| Quote: | When I was still subscribed to /comp.os.linux.advocacy,/ rumor had it
that ASUS doesn't support GNU/Linux, so I'd stay away from that.
|
Could I just butt in here. I have just rebuilt a my main pc because the
ECS mb blew up. THe AMD Athlon and ram were ok so I bought a Asrock Skt A
motherboard and its running my Mandriva 2006 install just fine. ASrock is
the cheaper end of Asus for what its worth. And Mandrive just accepted the
new mb no questions asked unlike a certain other OS which can blow a
gasket when you change mb's.
HTH
Dave |
|
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|
|
Carolyn Marenger
*nix forums beginner
Joined: 11 Apr 2005
Posts: 33
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:32 am Post subject:
Re: Mandriva compatibility for system upgrade
|
|
|
Matthew McPherson wrote:
| Quote: | On Fri, 14 Jul 2006 07:57:05 -0400, carolyn wrote:
It is about that time of decade that I get myself some new hardware. My
thoughts are that I want a 64bit system, can't get much else these days.
I
probably want a dual core, either AMD or INTEL. I like my current dual
header configuration, and I think I want to up it to three monitors. I
will start with 1GB RAM, but may get 2GB. While I am at it, I also think
I
will get a two 160GB SATA-II drives in a raid-1 configuration. Last but
not least, I want a DVD burner.
I can either build my own, or get something along the lines of a HP
dx5150
and add a few extras to it. Any suggestions as far as compatibility
goes? Anything I should stay away from?
Thanks for the advice!
Carolyn
Well, my preference has always been AMD for processors. As for video, I
recommend nVidia. I run two Rosewill 6600 w/ 256MB memory in SLi mode on a
Biostar nforce4 board with 1 250GB Seagate SATAII. Don't need Raid.
Yet. They only issue I had was to pass nolapic to the kernel at boot. The
Mandriva packaged SATA drivers won't load otherwise. When set up in SLi,
the installer automatically tried to setup Cinerama. As I only run a
single display, it was a pain to determine which connector to use even
after I disabled it. I inly run SLi stuff under Windows. Games. Each card
has two connectors, one VGA and one DVI. Also has S-Video output too.
The Mandriva packaged drivers include support for the onboard NIC but is
limited to 10/100 only. For the use of Gigabit you would need the drivers
directly from nVidia.
I have yet to really bog down this system. Everything runs very well. So
far, I am impressed with the nForce4 system. And when looking for
driver support for nVidia anything, they officially support us
Penguinheads. ATI from what I have heard is a little slow with what they
do support.
|
What motherboard are you using? Thanks for all the info.
Carolyn
--
Carolyn Marenger |
|
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|
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Carolyn Marenger
*nix forums beginner
Joined: 11 Apr 2005
Posts: 33
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:33 am Post subject:
Re: Mandriva compatibility for system upgrade
|
|
|
gort wrote:
| Quote: |
When I was still subscribed to /comp.os.linux.advocacy,/ rumor had it
that ASUS doesn't support GNU/Linux, so I'd stay away from that.
Could I just butt in here. I have just rebuilt a my main pc because the
ECS mb blew up. THe AMD Athlon and ram were ok so I bought a Asrock Skt A
motherboard and its running my Mandriva 2006 install just fine. ASrock is
the cheaper end of Asus for what its worth. And Mandrive just accepted the
new mb no questions asked unlike a certain other OS which can blow a
gasket when you change mb's.
HTH
Dave
|
One vote for ASRock. Good to know. Thanks!
Carolyn
--
Carolyn Marenger |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
YouCanToo
*nix forums beginner
Joined: 07 Aug 2005
Posts: 29
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 6:18 pm Post subject:
Re: Mandriva compatibility for system upgrade
|
|
|
carolyn wrote:
| Quote: | gort wrote:
When I was still subscribed to /comp.os.linux.advocacy,/ rumor had it
that ASUS doesn't support GNU/Linux, so I'd stay away from that.
Could I just butt in here. I have just rebuilt a my main pc because the
ECS mb blew up. THe AMD Athlon and ram were ok so I bought a Asrock Skt A
motherboard and its running my Mandriva 2006 install just fine. ASrock is
the cheaper end of Asus for what its worth. And Mandrive just accepted the
new mb no questions asked unlike a certain other OS which can blow a
gasket when you change mb's.
HTH
Dave
One vote for ASRock. Good to know. Thanks!
Carolyn
I have been using the Asus K7V133 with no problems what so ever |
|
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Matthew McPherson
*nix forums beginner
Joined: 30 May 2005
Posts: 16
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 1:55 am Post subject:
Re: Mandriva compatibility for system upgrade
|
|
|
On Sat, 15 Jul 2006 05:32:44 -0400, carolyn wrote:
<snip>
| Quote: | What motherboard are you using? Thanks for all the info.
Carolyn
|
It's a Biostar N4SLI-A9. |
|
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