April 06, 2008

Hello! I am looking for some critiques / commentary regarding a new system that I am thinking of purchasing, as described below, with some additions. I am a Ubuntu Linux user; I believe that next long-term support (LTS) release version, Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, is scheduled for release in April 24, 2008, which fits very well into my plans:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardyReleaseSchedule

I am currently running Ubuntu 6.06.1 LTS (Dapper Drake) on an older Pentium 4 computer, but I am planning to purchase a new computer, within the next few weeks. I'll append some of the specifications for the system that I was planning to purchases at the end of this post, for reference and comments. While I have built seveal systems from scratch, it's actually cheaper and less hassle (RMA's, etc.) to purchase a pre-assembled system, from an exceptionally good local computer store. Thus, this isn't strictly a "build' per se, although I do need some input on the lastest hardware (e.g. CPUs) and peripherals, and I will need some advice on adding a "thin client" (hardware / software).

My main interests are the following:

(1) Getting a very powerful, highly responsive machine - I'm not a "gamer," but I do a fair amount of video recording (Hauppauge PVR-500 TV tuner card) and post-capture processing, etc.), and a few other computational-intensive tasks (e.g. data analyses / visualization).

What do you recommend regarding processors (CPU)? I was thinking of purchasing a 64-bit Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.4GHz Quad Core, 1066 FSB, 8MB cache) CPU if it is supported; a second option (form the retailer, below and online at www.intrex.com) would be a 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 (2.66GHz Dual Core, 1333 FSB, 4MB Cache)?

(2) I need some instruction or reference to a guide for transferring my files, my user account, configuration settings, etc. from the old computer to the new one. Can I simply install the next LTS version, then transfer these files? What is the preferred method (e.g. via my home LAN? ...)?

(3) Partitioning issues? I'd like one main (big) partition for my account and my wife's, one for backups, one for videos, etc. Is there any advantage to the old Windows-style thinking regarding the partitioning hard drives into (e.g.) an operating system partition, a media partition (for videos, music, pictures, ...), a partition for backups, etc. I do think it is a good idea to back up to a second hard drive, in case the primary drive fails, right?

(4) Backups: I'm currently running rsnapshot (based on rsync), and would continue to do so, if a better method is not available. What about backing up to an external hard drive. Is RAID used in linux (forgive my ignorance) - is this a viable / useful backup option?

(5) I have a question about "thin clients" - I currently have 3 computers at home (1 x Ubuntu; 2 x Windows 2000; networked via router, USB cables). I want to replace all of these with my new Ubuntu computer essentially operating as a server for my wife, who would have a user account, a keyboard/monitor/mouse, and perhaps a small, basic hard drive, etc. Do you have any recommendations regarding hardware / configuration (and/or references to guides)? Is anyone familiar with LTSP (Linux Terminal Server Project, http://www.ltsp.org/)? If so, could you comment?

(6) What do you recommend regarding wireless (home LAN, internet) recommendations (generally)? We use TWC's Road Runner high-speed internet service (cable modem). I may add a networked laptop and/or a dedicated MythTV PVR, eventually - I would like to use these, wirelessly.

(7) Do you have any other suggestions / recommendations, regarding my plans (or issues that I hadn't considered)?

Thank you, very much appreciated! Greg :-)

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"System Specs [April 02, 2008]:"

Vendor: Intrex Computers, Durham, N.C. (*excellent* local computer retailer)
www.intrex.com

PC: GL Series Intrex System

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Mid-Tower ATX Case with window, no Power Supply

Power Supply: 700W FSP ATX Power Supply, 24-pin (converts to 20), 120mm Quiet Fan, Active PFC, SLI Certified

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600: 2.4GHz Quad Core, 1066 FSB, 8MB Cache, Socket 775, 64-bit

CPU Fan: GlacialTech Igloo 5062 Light (E) Fan for Socket T, 2600rpm, 25dBA, 35.5CFM

Motherboard: Intel DP35DPM SocketT, ATX, iP35, 1333 FSB, Onboard Audio, GigLAN, RAID, eSATA, 1394 - No Video

Memory: Mushkin EM 4GB (2x2GB Matched Pair) PC-2 6400 DDR2 w/ Heat Spreaders

Hard Drives: 2 x Seagate 750GB 7200rpm SATAII Hard Drive, 32MB Buffer, perpendicular, 5-Year Manufacturer Warranty

CD/DVD Reader: 16X Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive

CD/DVD Burner: Lite On 20X Black SATA Dual Layer, DVD+-RW Drive w/ Software

Floppy: Mitsumi 3.5" Black Floppy Drive with 6-in-1 Flash Media Reader/Writer

Backup Drive: Maxtor OneTouch 4 500GB External USB Hard Drive w/ Backup software

Video Card: nVidia GeForce 8800GT 512MB DDR, PCI-E Video Card, TV-Out, Dual Display

System Retail Price: $1,807.85 [April 02, 2008] - This is cheaper / far less hassle than building it myself ( I have built four computers, previously).

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Motherboard options:
* Intel DP35DPM SocketT, ATX, iP35, 1333 FSB, Onboard Audio, GigLAN, RAID, eSATA, 1394 - No Video: [$130]
* EVGA motherboard Socket T nVidia 780i SLI, 1333FSB, PCI-E, RAID, Audio, GigLAN, SATAII, 1394: [$259]

Processor options:
* Intel Core 2 Duo E6750: 2.66GHz Dual Core, 1333 FSB, 4MB Cache, Socket 775, 64-bit: [$220]
* Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600: 2.4GHz Quad Core, 1066 FSB, 8MB Cache, Socket 775, 64-bit: [$290]

Video card options:
* nVidia GeForce 8600GT 256MB DDR, PCI-E Video Card, TV-Out, Dual Display, DX10: [$120]
* nVidia GeForce 9600GT 512MB DDR, PCI-E Video Card, TV-Out, Dual Display: [$210]
* Dual (2 cards) GeForce 8600GT 256MB DDR, requires SLI Motherboard: [$240]
* nVidia GeForce 8800GT 512MB DDR, PCI-E Video Card, TV-Out, Dual Display: [$260]
* nVidia GeForce 8800GTS 512MB DDR3, PCI-E Video Card, TV-Out, Dual Display: [$350]
* Dual (2 cards) GeForce 8800GT 512MB DDR, requires SLI Motherboard: [$520]

Network/Wireless Interface Card options:
* On Board Network Connection
* TP-Link TG-3269 PCI Gigabit 10/100/1000M Ethernet Network Adapter: [$12]
* PCI-Express Gigabit 10/100/1000M Ethernet Network Card: [$18]
* TP-Link TL-WN551G 802.11g Wireless PCI Network Adapter Card w/ eXtended Range: [$19]
* Intel PWLA8391GT 10/100/1000 Gigabit PCI Network Card, OEM: [$33]
* TrendNet TEW623PI 802.11n Wireless PCI Network Adapter Card, 300Mbps: [$60]

Hard Drive options:
* Seagate 160GB 7200rpm SATAII HDD, 8MB Buffer, perpendicular recording, 5-Year Manufacturer Warranty: [$70]
* 250GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive, 8MB Buffer, 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty: [$80]
* WD 320GB 7200rpm SATAII Hard Drive, 16MB Buffer, 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty: [$95]
* WD 500GB 7200rpm SATAII Hard Drive, 16MB Buffer, 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty: [$130]
* Seagate 500GB 7200rpm SATAII HDD, 32MB Buffer, perpendicular recording, 5-Year Manufacturer Warranty: [$150]
* Seagate 750GB 7200rpm SATAII Hard Drive, 32MB Buffer, perpendicular, 5-Year Manufacturer Warranty: [$190]
* WD Raptor 150GB 10000rpm SATA Hard Drive, 16MB Buffer, 5-Year WD Warranty: [$230]
* Seagate 1TB 7200rpm SATAII Hard Drive, 32MB Buffer, perpendicular, 5-Year Manufacturer Warranty: [$280]

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