Hi Ryan, Just a few lines: - Use for the moment a 32-bit OS unless you really need 64 bits for development or your application. In some integer performance sensitive applications the 64-bit version might run much faster but my experience with floating point extensive applications (like Gaussian - quantum chemistry) shows the opposite for now, however, in theory the floating point part should be able to reach the same speed than on 32-bit when the compilers learn how to do it ;-). The AMD64 processors as far as I can tell perform extremely well when running a P4 optimized code in 32-bit mode - If you really need 64-bit now with hardware acceleration, choose a machine with NVidia graphics card, their driver support seems to be reasonable for 64-bit Linux (I use a Geforce FX 5200). - The first 64-bit OS I installed on my machine was SuSE 9.0, so I cannot tell about the others, but since this was my first time with SuSE I just can tell that I was impressed. I like it and can advise using it. As I can see if you choose your hardware well you need no time for learning how to compile a kernel. Have a look to the problems reported in the messages here and make your choice. Best wishes, Ödön ------------------------------------- Odon Farkas Department of Organic Chemistry, Eotvos Lorand University, P.O.Box 32 Budapest 112.,H-1518 E-mail: farkas@chem.elte.hu URL: http://organ.elte.hu/farkas Phone: (36)-(1)-209-0555, ext. 1325 (36)-(1)-372-2570 (36)-(30)-255-3111 FAX: (36)-(1)-209-0602 (36)-(1)-372-2620 ------------------------------------- On Thu, 2004-01-29 at 22:02, rstarkey wrote:
Hi all,
I am a engineer/programmer (fortran,C++) with some experience in system admin, but not nearly to the level of the people on this list. I'm looking into buying a new computer system and would like the opinion of someone on this list how difficult they think it would be to set up with Suse. I've used numerous versions of Mandrake before and am now looking to try something better. I've never compiled a kernel or added a patch before, but would not be afraid to try it. Mostly, I'm worried about 3D accelerated video card support for some of the graphics intense applications I run.
OK, here's the computer (from www.hypersonic-pc.com). It's an AMD64 laptop system for about $3100.
1 Type II PCMCIA PC Card Slot 4 USB 2.0 ports, 1 Mini IEEE 1394 Firewire port, and 1 Parallel port Built-in 3-in-1 Media Card Reader for SD/SM/MMC HyperSense™ Advanced Remote Diagnostics
Aviator AX6 in Metallic Silver with Graphite Accents 3400+ AMD Athlon™ 64 DTR Processor w/ PowerNow!™ Tech. (800MHz FSB) VIA K8T800 + VT8235 Chipset Mobile Motherboard for AX6 512MB PC3200 DDR400 RAM SODIMM 512MB PC3200 DDR400 RAM SODIMM ATI Radeon Mobility 9600 Pro 64MB (w/ TV Out) Guaranteed No Dead Pixels 60GB 7200rpm Ultra ATA Hard Disk Drive w/ 8MB Cache 8X DVD / 24X-10X-24 CD-R/W Combo Drive w/ Recording Software 15.1" SXGA+ High Contrast Active Matrix LCD Display (1400x1050) Built-in Sound Blaster Compatible Audio (AX6) Integrated 10/100 Fast Ethernet Controller Internal 802.11a+b+g Triband Wireless Mini PCI Network Adapter Integrated V.92 56K Fax/Data Modem MS Windows XP Professional SP1 CD & Manual Pre-Installed & Configured Targus USB Mobile Port Replicator with Ethernet 1Year 24/7 Toll-Free Tech Support Platinum Service & Lifetime Support
Any insights you have would be appreciated. Thanks again. Ryan
-- Ryan P. Starkey, Ph.D. Faculty Research Scientist Reusable Launch Vehicle Institute Department of Aerospace Engineering University of Maryland, College Park College Park, MD, 20742-3015
phone: (301) 405-7248 fax: (301) 314-9001 mailto:rstarkey@umd.edu