[SGVLUG] The "ultimate linux box for 2009" -- what would youput into it?

[Matt Campbell]

I consider choosing the power supply and case about as important as choosing
the CPU and memory when building a computer.  That said with the crash in
prices for standard desktops I have purchased the last 50 computers instead
of building them.

Having built my own super image processing machines for years (going on 20
now) I found that skimping on the power supply was deadly as far as heat and
reliability goes.  I gave up about 6 years ago and won't touch a computer
unless it has a $100+ power supply in it.  At the time the Antec supplies
were well rated (yes from www.sharkeyextreme.com of all places), who is
making good supplies now-a-days?

Matt

> -----Original Message-----
> From: sgvlug-bounces at sgvlug.net [mailto:sgvlug-bounces at sgvlug.net] On
> Behalf Of Emerson, Tom (*IC)
> Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 5:27 PM
> To: SGVLUG Discussion List.
> Subject: Re: [SGVLUG] The "ultimate linux box for 2009" -- what would
> youput into it?
> 
> > -----Original Message----- Of matti
> >
> > Power Supply!!!
> > -------------------
> >
> > I bought one of those Dell Deals last year,
> > and the frustrating thing is that the power
> > supply isn't powerful enough to handle additional
> > components, NOR old style power connectors.
> 
> Part of the problem is that you bought a Dell... ;)
> 
> I've seen/noticed that the "name brand" computers tend to have
> non-standard mounting brackets and/or parts bays -- OTOH, any "generic"
> PC case (even the more fanciful "gamer" cases) all have the *exact*
> same
> sized "spot" to put the power supply (or at least a *minimum* size for
> the supply...)
> 
> > I recall it being very challenging to find good
> > power supply reviews awhile back - things have
> > gotten better thanks to people building custom
> > gaming rigs. Still sometimes power supplies can
> > run $100+!! OUCH.
> 
> At the time I built my previous machine, you more-or-less would buy the
> case WITH a power supply [probably in the range of 100-300 watts,
> though...]  I was somewhat surprised when I found the "recommended"
> case
> for the system did NOT come with a power supply AND that
> externally-purchased supplies were as much as (or more!) than the case
> itself. (typically $100 would get you a very nice case/supply combo,
> while $65-80 would generally get you an acceptable solution, so $95 for
> the case + $more for the supply was outrageous at the time!)
> 
> As such, I was looking for about 600W at the time; most supplies at the
> pomona show were $100-150 or more, and I finally found one for $30 or
> so
> and went with it.  It finally died some time last year and I replaced
> it
> with a 750W unit from Fry's (for about $100, I think)