Every year around this time I get the urge to build a PC or some derivative of it, like picture frames. I probably yearn for the extra heat or the whine of hard disks and fans all around me. Last year I assembled a new desktop PC to replace my aging 7 year old.

 

This year is no different. Except I didn't need another desktop PC and I didn't feel like another picture frame (though I do have a laptop lying around for that purpose). So, despite not having any need or purpose, I wandered to good ol' Newegg and ordered some parts to build a cheap PC. One can always find a reason to use a PC, no?

 

My budget was in the $200-$250 range. Here is what I went with:

MSI barebone - MSI MBOX K9N6SGM-V - $89.99 (case with a uATX mobo with an AMD AM2 socket, nVidia chipset and 400W power supply)

CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ 2.2Ghz - $74.99 (this is the 65W version)

RAM - OCZ Platinum 2GB (2x1GB) - $45.99 (after $30 mail-in-rebate)

 

I have hard disks (8GB to 80GB) lying around at home, so didn't need that. Didn't want a CD/DVD drive, keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc. So, that was it.

 

Total: $210.97 + $20 shipping (for the case) = $230.97

 

 

I just put in a hard disk, plugged in a CD drive and powered it on. Downloaded the Gutsy Gibbon release of Ubuntu and started installing it.

 

I saw Gutsy with Compiz (see video) on K's laptop recently and was quite impressed with the wobbly windows and how much Ubuntu has shaped up. I had played with the first edition of Ubuntu (Warty Warthog) and briefly with Feisty Fawn on a LiveCD, but Gutsy seemed quite slick. So time to give it a whirl.

 

This will be the second device running Linux in my home - the first was a Series 1 TiVo that is now taking a well deserved break.