[ale] Do people still roll their own Linux desktops?

[Michael Trausch]

I tend to build my own systems, reusing durable components when I can. I
will spend $300--$400 on a collection of parts and usually assemble them,
reusing HD/PS/case/etc.

I will spend the bulk of the cost on the mobo and CPU; if I have to get a
case, I spend as little as possible on it. I am not picky about much, tho I
tend to use G.SKILL RAM, Rosewill power supplies and only AMD CPUs, because
I refuse to pay the overdone markup on Intel chips.

--
Sent from my Android-powered device.

On Mar 16, 2010 7:48 PM, "Björn Gustafsson" <bg-ale at bjorng.net> wrote:

I'm in the market for a new desktop Linux system, and I've never
bought a consumer unit before.  This time though I'm sorely tempted by
deals I see in the $350-$450 range on discount desktops, which are
sometimes even quad-core systems.
http://www.buy.com/prod/hp-pavilion-p6203w-desktop-athlonll-x2-r-215-2-7-ghz-4gb-500gb/q/loc/101/213720391.html
for example is $370 for an older model dual-core desktop.

My 5+ year old case is feeling creaky, and I'm probably due for a new
power supply, so I don't think I can build a comparable system myself
for under $450, and I worry about durability with such cheap parts.
My main requirements are a dual or quad-core processor and at least 4
GB of RAM, with a decent video card.  If I look at pricewatch.com and
similar sites the components add up to $500 or more. (Not including a
monitor, which I don't need.)

Does anyone have suggestions on a low-budget alternative to pre-built
systems, or am I wasting time even thinking about that?  For example,
are the "no OS systems" that Ascendtech sells any good?
http://www.ascendtech.us/customkititems.asp?kc=DTPCC2DE8400912

--
Björn Gustafsson

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