I've built one computer for a friend before, but this time I'd like to build one for me. I'm basically trying to build the most powerful personal computer possible (within reason) that's compatible with 100% free software.
Here's the breakdown on the parts I've chosen (generated by PCPartPicker): > PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/10fMD > Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/10fMD/by_merchant/ > Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/10fMD/benchmarks/ > > CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($119.99 @ NCIX US) > Motherboard: Asus F2A85-M/CSM Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($94.20 @ Amazon) > Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.99 @ > Newegg) > Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($219.99 @ NCIX > US) > Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($289.99 @ Newegg) > Case: Silverstone TJ08B-E MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon) > Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V > Power Supply ($55.99 @ Amazon) > Keyboard: Filco Majestouch-2 Wired Standard Keyboard ($149.00 @ Amazon) > Total: $1102.14 > (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.) > (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-26 19:17 EDT-0400) I've already had this gone over by the PC-building enthusiasts at /r/buildapc for technical compatibility, but now I'd like to have some freedom enthusiasts check it over for free driver support / other tips. Some notes: - I know that the CPU has an AGPU in it, and I'd be kind of wasting that power by using a dedicated graphics card, but it's kind of my only option given that I have to stick with the F2A85-M motherboard for coreboot support. - I already have my own mouse and monitor, which is why they're not on the parts list. - The Asus F2A85-M motherboard was chosen because, as far as I can tell, it's the only relatively recent motherboard that's still sold that supports coreboot (the free BIOS replacement); see <http://www.coreboot.org/Supported_Motherboards> and <http://www.coreboot.org/ASUS_F2A85-M>. - The GTX 660 Ti GPU was chosen because, as far as I can tell, both 2D and 3D graphics acceleration is supported with the free nouveau driver; see <http://h-node.org/videocards/view/en/1001/> and <http://nouveau.freedesktop.org/wiki/HardwareStatus/>. And my questions for you guys: - Does the AGPU on the AMD CPU pose a freedom issue? Are binary drivers or firmware required for it to work? - Is the 3D / 2D acceleration using the nouveau driver for the GTX 660 Ti GPU too unstable to be usable? - From this page: <http://nouveau.freedesktop.org/wiki/FeatureMatrix/> It seems that video decoding using my graphics card would require binary firmware? Is my assumption true? How important *is* video decoding? - Are there any parts in this build that pose a freedom issue? Would Richard Stallman use this computer? You may want to look at my reddit threads for this; there's a lot of information and discussion there. <http://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/1f43bb/> <http://www.reddit.com/r/gnu/comments/1f432f/> Thanks a lot ahead of time for any responses. -- Harry Prevor
