13. Other Resources on Building Linux PCs
The PC Tech Guide
offers pretty comprehensive descriptions of PC hardware technologies.
Andrew Comech's
The Cheap /Linux/ Box page is a useful guide to building with
current hardware that is updated every two weeks. Andrew also
maintains a
short-cut version.
The Caveat
Emptor guide has an especially good section on evaluating
monitor specifications.
Dick Perron has a PC Hardware
Links page. There is lots and lots of good technical stuff
linked to here. Power On Self Test codes, manufacturer address lists,
common fixes, hard disk interface primer, etc.
Anthony Olszewski's Assembling A
PC is an excellent guide to the perplexed. Not
Linux-specific. If you're specifically changing a motherboard, see
the
Installing a Motherboard page. This one even has a Linux note.
Tom's Hardware
Guide covers many hardware issues exhaustively. It is
especially good about CPU chips and motherboards. Full of ads and
slow-loading graphics, though.
The System Optimization
Site has many links to other worthwhile sites for hardware
buyers.
Christopher B. Browne has a page on Linux VARs
that build systems. He also recommends the Linux
VAR HOWTO.
Jeff Moe has a Build
Your Own PC page. It's more oriented towards building from
parts than this one. Less technical depth in most areas, but better
coverage of some including RAM, soundcards and motherboard
installation. Features nifty and helpful graphics, one of the better
graphics-intensive pages I've seen. However, the hardware-selection
advice is out of date.
The Linux Hardware
Database provides, among other things (e.g., drivers, specs, links,
etc.), user ratings for specific hardware components for use under
Linux. Our ratings take a lot of the guess work out of choosing which
hardware to buy for a Linux box. The site also provides several
product-specific resources (i.e., drivers, workarounds, how-to) that
help users get hardware working after they have made a purchase.