Building a Linux Gaming PC

**Anonymous1c4** · 10-28-2005

NOTE:
I figured this topic would go here since it pertains to gaming on linux. It might be better under Hardware/Peripherals, but I'm not sure. If this isn't a good place to discuss this kind of topic, i would like this to be moved to the appropriate section. Thanks in advanced

As the title implies i'm trying to build a REALLY good linux compatible gaming PC, but i'm also trying to keep it in a decent price range. So far, i have a few parts i'm sure i want. The only thing i/m not sure about are motherboards, RAM, harddrives (all i know is that i want it to be big), and anything else that doesn't pertain to processors or graphic cards.

Anyways... The current hardware i have selected so far are:

GeForce 7800 GT ($349)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130249

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ ($322 +heatsink)
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...ctCode=80721-1

Seagate 300 GB HDD ($136)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148064

ASUS A8V-SE ($92)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...47359&CatId=13

ePOWER Tagan TG-480-U22 ($90)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817101516

CORSAIR XMS 2x 512MB RAM ($114)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145450

**techieMoe** · 10-28-2005

You'll probably want a Socket 939 motherboard with a VIA or SiS chipset, just from my experience. I don't know how well the Nforce4 chipsets work, but I've had issues with Nforce2 and Nforce3 in Linux.

**smindinvern** · 10-28-2005

As for motherboards, I'm not against using no-name motherboards, but I've found that ASUS usually works very well. You'll probably want one with a VIA chipset, and SATA, as those hard drives are usually recommended by gamers (for loading big maps, things like that). Get a good 400-500Watt power supply, hard drives and video cards suck a _lot_ of power. Last thing... _don't be tempted by the dark side_, use nVidia, otherwise you're screwed for linux (I am).

Good luck, hope it all turns out well

**Anonymous1c4** · 10-28-2005

Originally Posted by techieMoe

You'll probably want a Socket 939 motherboard with a VIA or SiS chipset, just from my experience. I don't know how well the Nforce4 chipsets work, but I've had issues with Nforce2 and Nforce3 in Linux.

Hmm...what kind of problems? I've read my motherboard specs at Chaintech's website and it says this mobo has NVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400 and MCPS. Maybe i don't have problems because of MCPS? I dunno....

Originally Posted by smindinvern

As for motherboards, I'm not against using no-name motherboards, but I've found that ASUS usually works very well. You'll probably want one with a VIA chipset, and SATA, as those hard drives are usually recommended by gamers (for loading big maps, things like that). Get a good 400-500Watt power supply, hard drives and video cards suck a _lot_ of power. Last thing... _don't be tempted by the dark side_, use nVidia, otherwise you're screwed for linux (I am).

Good luck, hope it all turns out well

Yeah, i was just looking at an ASUS mobo and it looked really good. I edited it into my first post but i'll link it again.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131517
It comes with SATA so thats good. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a mobo with VIA or SiS (or at least on newegg...then again, their search engine kind of sucks :/ ).

Also, the harddrive i selected uses SATA so i think i'm good there. And the power supply i currently have appears to have a max of 380W, but i'm not sure.

**techieMoe** · 10-28-2005

Originally Posted by Anonymous1c4

Originally Posted by techieMoe

I don't know how well the Nforce4 chipsets work, but I've had issues with Nforce2 and Nforce3 in Linux.

Hmm...what kind of problems? I've read my motherboard specs at Chaintech's website and it says this mobo has NVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400 and MCPS. Maybe i don't have problems because of MCPS? I dunno....

Some Linux distributions wouldn't boot, or if they booted the onboard devices wouldn't work. The Nvidia nforce drivers didn't help (in fact they rendered one install unbootable for me). This was with an Nforce2 board. I've stuck to VIA and SiS since then. ASUS motherboards generally have VIA or Nforce. I am a fan of ASUS.

**smindinvern** · 10-28-2005

have you tried any other sites? tigerdirect.com is a good one. If you don't like newegg's search go to google and search `ASUS VIA site:newegg.com'

**deek** · 10-28-2005

Also, while you may have some RAM already, by getting some high performance, speedy RAM, you will enhance your system performance. For games, I would say throw the money in the RAM and Video card. The processor doesn't have to be cutting edge, so if you can save some money, that is where you can cut a few corners.

I have also heard good things about ASUS mainboards...I would really make sure you read up on the mainboard and checkout reviews and gamer feedback, as that is the one thing you kinda are strapped down to once you buy it...

Fast bus speeds and harddrives that can take advantage of the speed are also a plus.

Basically, wide bus speeds, fast harddrives, high performance RAM and a top video card will really make your system the king...get a decent processor, but no need to spend a ton of money on the best...just get something decent and if you put your money in those other four areas, you will have a great gaming box!

**Anonymous1c4** · 10-28-2005

Originally Posted by smindinvern

have you tried any other sites? tigerdirect.com is a good one. If you don't like newegg's search go to google and search `ASUS VIA site:newegg.com'

Ah, tiger direct...i forgot about that site...my dad goes likes to get stuff off their since the shipping is really quick and they have good prices... I'll check it out.

And techieMoe, i don't recall ever having those problems but maybe because i had MCPS, but like i said i'm not sure. The JetWay mobo has MCP so maybe that one would work better.

Originally Posted by deek

Also, while you may have some RAM already, by getting some high performance, speedy RAM, you will enhance your system performance. For games, I would say throw the money in the RAM and Video card. The processor doesn't have to be cutting edge, so if you can save some money, that is where you can cut a few corners.

I have also heard good things about ASUS mainboards...I would really make sure you read up on the mainboard and checkout reviews and gamer feedback, as that is the one thing you kinda are strapped down to once you buy it...

Fast bus speeds and harddrives that can take advantage of the speed are also a plus.

Basically, wide bus speeds, fast harddrives, high performance RAM and a top video card will really make your system the king...get a decent processor, but no need to spend a ton of money on the best...just get something decent and if you put your money in those other four areas, you will have a great gaming box!

Well, i'm good with the bus speeds and harddrive. Maybe i should upgrade my graphics card to a GTX instead? And i think the processor i have is decent for now, but i might change it later.

Also, i've found a ASUS mobo with VIA http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813131523R

Its good, plus its less expensive. The only problem still, is that it uses Realtek for its onboard audio and i checked alsa to see if they had drivers for it and i didn't see anything about it...but i assume that most ASUS boards use Realtek on board audio so i guess i'm fine there.

**winter** · 10-28-2005

id get a tagen power supply for that hungry card, also stick with the asus tyhe north bridge heat sink and fan on the jetway north bridge is noisy, also id recomend corsair memory (the pro stuff) it over clocks well and is extreamly stable

**smindinvern** · 10-28-2005

tagen.... neve' heird of it.... but I would recommend antec as well, I've got one and it's been running for years

Thread Tools

Display

Building a Linux Gaming PC

Posting Permissions