Building a Computer for Linux

If you want a new car, you probably go to the dealer and buy a Ford, or a Toyota, etc. knowing that these makes are well supported by the dealer. You expect a Ford to have a Ford engine, Ford seats, Ford transmission, etc..

Buying a computer is not quite like that; it's more like buying a hot-rod. Ford V8 engine, Monroe shocks, Bosch electrics, body by Joe's Auto Detailing and so on. You probably wouldn't consider a car with a Ford body, engine by Wal-Mart, and electrics by Radio Shack.

Brand-name components, not a brand-name case

When building a computer to run Linux, it's important to use components made by reputable manufacturers who publish their documentation. It may be better to have a local PC dealer assemble you a machine, rather than purchase a "name brand" PC from a discount store. Name brand computers often have inadequate documentation and generic components inside, and their support staff may not understand anything except Microsoft products.

Reputable manufacturers include for instance Intel, ASUS, TYAN, GigaByte, Creative Labs, Seagate, etc.
See for instance Tom's Hardware Guide for component reviews.

Checking the HOWTOs

Not all card manufacturers publish their documentation, and some use custom ICs for which no details are made public. This means that some cards are not supported in Linux. It is important to check the Linux documentation such as the Hardware-HOWTO before choosing components. Some devices such as graphics cards may have only basic support; do not pay extra for features such as 3D rendering which you cannot use. Be especially careful with sound cards and external devices such as tape backup, scanners, cameras etc., and with cards such as WinModems which require downloading or special software.

Minimum Requirements

Although Linux will run on a wide range of hardware from Intel 386 to DEC Alpha and PowerPC, the basic system is probably:

• Intel Pentium
• 24Mb RAM
• 3.5" Floppy Disk
• 1Gb IDE hard drive
• ATAPI IDE CD-ROM drive
• VGA video adapter
• 15" colour monitor
• Keyboard
• 3-button mouse

Notes:

• MMX
  Linux compilers and programs do not (currently) use the MMX instruction set, but MMX chips have a superior cache.
• FPU
  Many Linux programs use floating point, so avoid 486SX or similar chips. IF your PC has no FPU, it will be emulated in software; it'll just be slow.
• Mouse
  Most GUI programs for Linux use 3 mouse buttons (left is cut, middle is paste) so you need a 3-button mouse.
• RAM
  Linux will use all available memory for a filesystem cache, and will run several programs at once, so the more memory the better.
• Monitor
  Users typically have several applications running on the screen, so a bigger monitor is useful.
• Disks
  Linux will take advantage of bus-mastering Ultra DMA and SCSI drives, so it's a good idea to use a bus-mastering interface. Another task may be active while the first is blocked awaiting data. For optimum performance, multiple fast SCSI drives with disk striping may be used, but this may be too expensive for home use.

Installation

Installation is covered elsewhere, but yes, you can dual-boot Linux and Windows and no, you don't lose all your existing files.