[ILUG-BOM] Linux with ASUS P5K64, Intel Q6600(?)...

[km]

Subject: Linux with ASUS P5K64, Intel Q6600(?) Experience in buying a WS
running Linux? Any problems worth knowing with mid-high-end hardware?

Hi List,

I have lately decided to assemble a new rig for my
graphics work, and your help / suggestions are sincerely solicited.
This is a long mail, so please feel free to skip and read at
leisure if you may.

The primary concern being that it should play well with Linux.
Sadly, the ASUS' site only states Windows OS compatibility;
//mentioning ASUS here because the MoBo i have rounded up on
is mfd by ASUS
(Link [1]).

Please share if you have any experience or suggestions with
the below mentioned configuration. I am really looking
forward to some `good` experiences as I am really anxious
to get the rig home :)

Any help/suggestions/experiences (with vendors even) will
be gratefully appreciated.

The config:
	COMPONENT	MAKE/MODEL NO.
	--------------------------------------------
	MOTHERBOARD	P5K64 WS				

	PROCESSOR	Core 2 Quad Q6600
			(All vendors in Vashi have denied availability
	 		of Q6700 that, I believe is a better processor!)

	GPU		NVidia GeForce 9800 GT 512 MB
			(denied availability of all specific makes i
			mentioned; ZOTAC, XFX, ASUS) :(
	
	RAM		2 X 2GB Transcend Modules
			(I've heard that windoze xp (32 bit) etc do not
			support more than 3GB of RAM; never confirmed
			though. But I would be most interested to learn,
			if there is any such limitation with 32 bit
			Linux distros too! I would be mostly using
			32-bit platform for now)
	--------------------------------------------

With vendors nearby my place playing a game of chess, I
really can't expect any help from them regarding OS
compatibility and, for that matter, even honest hardware
prices. (Will soon post a blog on my experience with vendors
while going for this hardware, which was quite a saga!)

So, that gives me another genuine reason to turn to the
Linuxers for help. :)

<OT>
Going a bit OT with my experience here:

In fact, the vendors have even denied availability of ASUS P5K64 WS,
in which case, I might go for an ASUS P5K WS. (Link [2])
"poore India mein kahin nahi mil raha hai! I have spoken to all major
distributors" (sic), as a vendor told me for MoBo, Q6700 as well as
the ZOTAC graphic card. Sad! He's denied availability of any MoBo about
which I have gathered detailed information, while the hardware `remains
available` until I do not know the genuine price (-slot, for the Indian
market, as I see it, no consistency at all!)
</OT>

I believe the other components (HDD, Monitor, etc), should not
be a matter of any concern in this regard, however, please share
any experiences if you will :)

Thank you very much for your precious time reading through the long
mail :)

[1]
http://in.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=534&l4=0&model=1692&modelmenu=2
[2]
http://in.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=534&l4=0&model=1691&modelmenu=2

PS: The fact that I have had bad experience with a couple of vendors in
Navi Mumbai does not, in any way, mean that I would generalize that
there might not be any good vendors in the region; may be, its just that
I wasn't lucky enough to find one.

TIA

Regards,

kamal morjal