Need to build a cheap Linux box

Hardware Build a PC
1

Howdy,
I'd like to build a cheap pc to do surfing, bills, home work, and maybe the occasional kerbal space program.

I, with very little rhyme or reason, came up with this config. It's a bit more than I really want to spend.

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/LnttgL

Do y'all have any thoughts or suggestions?

Budget. How much are you willing to spend? - $350ish
Where do you live? - Tulsa/USD
Is there a retailer you prefer? - No
Do you need or already have peripherals? Yes.
Do you overclock or want to get into overclocking? - no
Do you plan on going for custom water-cooling now, or in the future? No
Operating System. Ubuntu

2

Craigslist is your friend for local good deals.

3

Buy an old dual processor Mac Pro and upgrade it and put a 380 in it. 350 - 400 bucks for a 12 core god.

4

I'd just recommend trying to snag a used system and maybe swapping out the hard drive. No need for brand new parts for a linux desktop.

2 Likes
5

a8....750 watt PSU?
7850k will work fine on a 220 watt OEM PSU from the bottom of the barrel emachines rig. Saw one guy get a good antec PSU for under 20 bucks on ebay.
You can add a cpu cooler anytime and AMD coolers have greatly improved
If you're near a microcenter go with a combo. Also check out open box stuff at nearby retailers. scored a nice antec case with psu for 45 bucks cause it had a scratch.
16 gig on a linux build?
Used X4 and a 270 370 950 etc will work great also. When my x3 went from 8 to 4 gig I switched to mint and it did fine.
OK microcenter aint in your state. You can print out the combo you like and see if Best Buy will do their price match garentee, never tried this but other guys have.
Awesome price on the MB, avoid MSI
Hope this helps

6

You can get that for less than $300

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/8y2FtJ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/8y2FtJ/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD A8-7600 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A68HM-H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($41.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Mushkin ECO3 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($51.83 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 350W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($32.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $266.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-07 20:57 EDT-0400

1 Like
7

Nice!

8

Only major difference was mine has 8gbs of RAM vs your 16gb if you really wanted 16gbs of RAM

9

And there's also the ITX option

Or for $20 more this is easily the best FM2+ board around, even has USB 3.1, but I've no clue on Linux support for that

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/yVwqqs/asrock-motherboard-a88mg31

10

If it were me, I'd build something like this for $350. I'm sure you have more storage laying around.

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/6tFfHN

11

Not sure how much VRAM the intel iGPU can use, but the A8 would be better for games

recommended here is 1GB of VRAM
http://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/System_Specs#Current_Paid_.281.1.2C_Unity_5.29

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Aparently the maximum is 64gbs of VRAM...huh

"Processor Graphics ‡

Intel® HD Graphics 530

Graphics Base Frequency

350 MHz

Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency

1.05 GHz

Graphics Video Max Memory

64 GB"

12

I've played KSP with a HD 4000. It did the job.

13

How do I tell how much Vram the A8 system will have?

14

Also consider a Chromebook with Crouton.

15

Also if I get the A88M-G/3.1 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard then do I really need the cpu with integrated graphics?

16

FM2+ is used widely for APU's.

17

Anyone know whether an R7 360 can Crossfire with a A10 7890K or 7870K?

18

Ok, this is great info guys. Thanks by the way.

I swapped the motherboard for the better one suggested by Streetguru. Since I didn't need the GPU on chip, I swapped out the CPU for a Athlon X4 860K

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/8s6MZ8

19

Theres a newer ath that has better ipc #s
might want to look into that

20

Yeah, the price is starting to get a bit higher than I'd like, but then again I'm in no hurry, I can wait for prices to drop and/or get stuff piece meal....

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/R8JV6X I swapped out the cpu for the ath 880 quad core. I'm assuming that is the one Aremis was suggesting....

1 Like