Building linux machine

[fordie1000]

Hi,

I want to build a small-ish computer from individual components ...
I have been taking parts from computers for years and upgrading
older computers with fans/PSUs/motherboards etc. but I have never
actually built a full system.

I want the machine to use a mini-ITX 2.0 motherboard and obviously
the same size case but I was wondering if anyone has any advice for
me on the best type of components to go for ... sites to buy from etc.

I am based in the UK.

Thanks,

[Stang02GT]

Moved to Linux forum

[fordie1000]

cheers ... didn't know where I should post a hardware question!!

[Nepomuk]

I have been taking parts from computers for years and upgrading
older computers with fans/PSUs/motherboards etc. but I have never
actually built a full system.

I want the machine to use a mini-ITX 2.0 motherboard and obviously
the same size case...

Hi fordie1000!
Which Parts do you have and which not? Also, what will "small-ish" be? What exactly do you expect the machine to do? Have you thought of what OS do you want to use? I guess it's some Linux, as the Topic suggests that, but depending on the Distribution one or the other part might be more suitable.

Building a system from scratch really isn't that difficult. I'm sure, you'll manage. :-)

Greetings,
Nepomuk

[Stang02GT]

cheers ... didn't know where I should post a hardware question!!

No problem at all, if you don't know where something should go the MISC forum is the right place. I moved it here because you title suggests that you are building it to use linux. And i figured that our linux experts would be suited the best to help you with this :)

[fordie1000]

Hi fordie1000!
Which Parts do you have and which not? Also, what will "small-ish" be? What exactly do you expect the machine to do? Have you thought of what OS do you want to use? I guess it's some Linux, as the Topic suggests that, but depending on the Distribution one or the other part might be more suitable.

Building a system from scratch really isn't that difficult. I'm sure, you'll manage. :-)

Greetings,
Nepomuk

Hi Nepomuk,

Thanks for the response ... I guess I was sorta vague ....

When I say small-ish I mean in terms of size .... hence I am looking
at the mini-ITX motherboards ... I think these are 17cm x 17cm.

I was looking at the following componets :

1. Nexus Psile Case & DVD writer
2. Jetway J9F2 Extreme HDMI Mini ITX Motherboard
3. T7200 2.0 GHz Inter Core 2 Duo Mobile CPU
4. 2GB DDR2 667 DIMM RAM
5. CPU Cooler
6. Seagate 320 GB Sata2 HDD
7. Nexus Universal AC Power Adapter 150W
8. Nexus DC Converter

I chose the Nexus purely for aesthetic reason!! Shame on me!
Anyway ... nothing is ordered yet so I am open to suggestions.

I am most familiar with some sort of Redhat/Fedora distribution of Linux
so I would probably go with one of these ... but again I am willing to
take direction on this too!

I want the machine to be display-less in the end so I can just SSH into it
and set jobs running and back-up to also. I don't think I'd consider installing the
server versions of Redhat just because I suppose I will at some stage be
working directly from it. But I would disable the X/GNU desktop enviroments.

Let me know if I left anything out,

Thanks

[prn]

I want the machine to be display-less in the end so I can just SSH into it and set jobs running and back-up to also. I don't think I'd consider installing the server versions of Redhat just because I suppose I will at some stage be working directly from it. But I would disable the X/GNU desktop enviroments.

Hi fordie1000,

I suspect that a server version (e.g., Centos) might be exactly what you want. The biggest difference between a "server" and a "desktop" distro is the graphical desktop environment and its related components. If you build a system without a graphic display and use SSH to connect to it, and especially if you use a wired connection rather than wireless, you will eliminate most of the hardware-specific, "desktopy" need for a distro like Fedora and can use Centos just fine. (I'm suggesting Centos primarily because you expressed familiarity/general happiness with RedHat/Fedora and Centos is based on RHEL, so will use the same rpm/yum type repositories, etc.)

Another advantage, IMHO, of Centos is that you will be able to use a CD drive in your box instead of a DVD drive (cheaper). Fedora cannot be downloaded these days on CDs, but only as a DVD ISO (or as a "live" cd, from which you then "upgrade").

Overall, if you are planning on not installing X and a windowing environment, I'd say you are probably better off with a "server" type distro. It's smaller and cleaner for your purpose. You are not thereby restricting your non-graphical apps in any way.

HTH,
Paul