Planning a new machine.

[RedAlpha3]

I plan to have a new desktop machine built. Not being up to date with hardware I have noticed several new developments since I last bought a desktop PC. Things like:- dual core processors, DDR2 ram, and the use of Sata as well/instead of IDE among other things. I would like to have a machine that is as high spec as I can afford and quiet and more energy efficient.
Firstly, where in the linux community am I likely to get advice concerning which hardware functions and which doesn't yet? Do some modern distros cope better with this stuff? Secondly, has anyone anyone experience using a dual core processor on a linux system? Is it worth the extra money to help multi-tasking? Thirdly, considering the trouble I've had with my NVidia graphics card over the last two years I'm seriously considering ditching it and simply using the Via chipset onboard graphics. Is this a better idea? I don't use the machine for games.
Thanks in advance.

[danieldk]

FWIW: I use Red Hat's HCL, it is a good representation of what machines are supported. Though, of course that only works for major brand machines (HP/IBM/Dell). Besides that, I'd get a dual core machine, I use an SMP machine, and it gave me a huge performance boost (I am often doing things in the background, like compilation). And second, I'd get a CPU that supports VT, this is a virtualization extension that will be important, and allows you to use Xen with operating systems that are not "Xen-enabled" (like Windows) simultaneously with Linux.

[RedAlpha3]

Thanks for that Daniel. I think I will go for the dual core processor which only adds £40 to the total cost and will check to see what supports VT.

[sammil]

I bought a new machine some nine months ago. Unfortunately I was a bit early on the dual core and ended up with P4 3.4. As for video, I have a Nvidia 7300GS, and it's been very nice. Low price, no gaming here either. Latest drivers work nicely. One thing I would suggest is 2GB RAM. I have this, and it allows me to run VMWare very comfortably. DDR2 667. I'd suggest SATA plus a minimal IDE for CDroms. I've installed Debian, CentOS and Fedora without problems on the SATA drive. My MB is an ASUS P5LD2 which has worked nicely with both Linux and Win2000. Later versions may be even better.

Question for Daniel. The MB has a 775 socket, Would a dual core fit, and would it be worth the upgrade?

[danieldk]

RedAlpha3: If you go to http://www.intel.com/products/processor/coreduo/ , and click on "View specification chart", it will show what models support VT (all but one).
sammil: I don't think so, it uses Socket M (whatever that is ;))

[RedAlpha3]

Thanks sammil. Answers all of my questions. The 2Gb Ram is a good idea though, according to my computer chap, DDR2 is still about £75 per Gb. DDR is much cheaper but not suitable for up to date motherboards. I want to use it with Debian and have a Parallels virtual machine so the extra cost should be worth it, I've always had trouble in Debian with my NVidia 5500. I'm wary but nothing ventured...etc.