Low cost Ubuntu Linux rig

[phoenix198]

I have a number of spare components and I am looking to build a low cost Linux rig.

I have:
ASRock 4CoreDual-SATA2 S775 motherboard - takes DDR and DDR2 RAM
2 x 1Gb DDR PC3200 RAM sticks
80Gb Samsung SATA HDD
OEM nVidia 7300LE

I'm looking to get:
Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 or Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2180
Generic DVD-RW
Low-cost midi-tower case and PSU

My one concern is whether I can use the DDR memory with either of the two processors mentioned. Can anyone advise me please?

[chrestomanci]

Intel processors don't contain a memory controller, they access memory via the north bridge so if the CPU is compatible with the mobo, then any memory that fits in the mobo can be used. (Modern AMD processors are different and are compatible with specific memory types).

Presumably this ASRock motherboard is one of those unusual ones that have slots for two different types of memory, and a north bridge that can talk to either type. You will almost certainly find that you can only use one type at once.

[directhex]

via chipset? ought to be fine

[phoenix198]

Intel processors don't contain a memory controller, they access memory via the north bridge so if the CPU is compatible with the mobo, then any memory that fits in the mobo can be used. (Modern AMD processors are different and are compatible with specific memory types).

Presumably this ASRock motherboard is one of those unusual ones that have slots for two different types of memory, and a north bridge that can talk to either type. You will almost certainly find that you can only use one type at once.

Yep, that's the one. Its also got both an AGP and a PCI-e slot .....

[phoenix198]

via chipset? ought to be fine

Thanks for that. On the other hand, that self-same Via chipset is incompatible with newer PCI-e 2.0 graphics cards (8800GT and 3850/3870) so, as always, there are swings and roundabouts.

[chrestomanci]

Thanks for that. On the other hand, that self-same Via chipset is incompatible with newer PCI-e 2.0 graphics cards (8800GT and 3850/3870) so, as always, there are swings and roundabouts.

Hardly anything supports the new PCI-e 2.0 standard (only Intel X48 I think), but the standards are backwards and forward compatible for both cards and motherboards, so If you plug a PCIe 2.0 card into a PCIe 1.0 motherboard it will work fine at the old speed.

When you consider that the need for the increased speeds in current games in debatable anyway, especially when you have other bottlenecks in the system such as your DDR Ram, I would not worry.

[Zak33]

when you have a chipset that takes either ram, then use the stuff you have chap, cos the faster DDR2 that you're prolly thinking of buying just in case, won't be worth your money.

Tell me...I'm intrigued..what's the box gonna do?

Are you going to FOLD with us ?

[directhex]

he ought to, both considered cpus should get through smp units at a decent rate

[phoenix198]

Hardly anything supports the new PCI-e 2.0 standard (only Intel X48 I think), but the standards are backwards and forward compatible for both cards and motherboards, so If you plug a PCIe 2.0 card into a PCIe 1.0 motherboard it will work fine at the old speed.

When you consider that the need for the increased speeds in current games in debatable anyway, especially when you have other bottlenecks in the system such as your DDR Ram, I would not worry.

Regret to say that this mobo definitely will not support a PCI-e 2.0 standard gfx card. I know this from (bitter) personal experience - it wouldn't even POST - no graphics signal output. Something to do with the Via 880 chipset according to the ASRock website.

[phoenix198]

when you have a chipset that takes either ram, then use the stuff you have chap, cos the faster DDR2 that you're prolly thinking of buying just in case, won't be worth your money.

Tell me...I'm intrigued..what's the box gonna do?

Are you going to FOLD with us ?

Gonna learn me some Linux ...

May also turn it into a home server in time, once I've (hopefully) mastered the intricacies. If not, then Windows Home Server might beckon.

Oh, and some FOLDing Did a number of units on my PS3 a while ago, then the electricity bill arived .....