# Decided to get a desktop
The time is coming nearer to me starting my MSc in Machine Learning and Data Mining at the University of Bristol (I actually start at the end of September (2008)).
And because my Masters project (and other bits of coursework) will be processor and memory intensive, it will be way too much for my Apple MacBook (2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1GB RAM, 64GB HD, Mac OS X 10.5.4) to cope with. So….
With the project funding money ( I still haven’t had anybody interested in funding me yet, although it’s looking more likely now). I decided to get PC parts to build my own PC (based on recommendations by my girlfriend and my girlfriends dad). Here are the specs:
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad 64-bit 2.4GHz (Energy Efficient)
- Motherboard: Asus P5N-E SLI 650i (on-board audio circuit, on-board gigabit network circuit)
- RAM: 4GB DDR2 with Heat Spreader
- Processor Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7
- Disc Drive: Optiarc 20x DVD RW/DL/RAM SATA
- Hard Drive: Samsung 750GB (32MB Cache, 7200RPM) SATA
- Graphics: nVidia GeForce 7300LE on a Microstar International PCI-E Card (256MB GDDR with 512 TurboCache, 450MHz Core Clock) (VGA, DVI and HDTV Output)
- Case: Antler ATX Midi Tower with 350w PSU (white)
- Wireless Keyboard and Mouse (comes with the case)
- Monitor: Acer 19inch TFT Widescreen VGA (Contrast Ratio = 2000:1 )
Plus: I’ll be putting the lastest version (8.04 at the time of writing) of Ubuntu Linux (with Gnome UI and AiXgl) on it.
My requirements are essentially that it needs to be able to do complex Artificial Intelligence and Statistics algorithms quickly, and it needs to be able to cope with reasonably large databases and knowledge-bases. So I think I’ve covered it with the above.
I will need it to be able to run the following programs/systems (and reasonably smoothly):
- Java Runtime and Compilation Tools
- Mono Runtime and Compilation Tools
- SWI-Prolog Environment
- Ruby Programming Environment
- Haskell Programming Environment
- C and C++ Programming Tools (gcc)
- Weka Machine Learning Environment
- possibly also…. MatLab, Squeak, Croquet/Cobalt and GNU-STEP
- and most importantly…. OpenLink Software Virtuoso Universal Server
I think that it’s going to be a very very yummy machine!
Does anyone have any comments? More importantly, does anyone want to offer me funding for the outcome of the project (I only ask to cover the costs of tuition)?
July 28th, 2008 at 9:41 am
…. and it’s all being delivered this coming Tuesday.
…. and I’ve never built a computer from scratch before, so good job Beki is going to be around!
July 28th, 2008 at 9:46 am
No comment as I don’t do PC (in either uses of the term!)
But a hand built PC can be good value if you source your bits right, but you have no warranty for the whole thing. I would buy a pre built system from Dell or HP as they are fairly inexpensive today.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Hi Alex,
I’m getting it for an incredibly good price, and although there isn’t a warranty on the whole thing, there is warranty on each individual part. I would have been able to get almost the same configuration from Dell or HP for a few hundred pounds more (I’m not disclosing how much I’m spending in total on the parts).
This is going to be a Linux and Artificial Intelligence powerhouse, rather than any old PC. And it’s certainly not going to be a gamers PC! (Surprisingly Daniel isn’t a gamer)
Cheers for the comment Alex… and I hope that you’re enjoying your reasonably new EEE PC.
Daniel
July 30th, 2008 at 10:23 am
[…] got all of my new hardware yesterday evening…. and as usual when putting together a new PC from parts there are […]
August 8th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I would love a clone of your new machine - without going into any probs like drivers - I am running a world scale project on a 633Mhz machine with twin monitors. I need to get away from computers altogether though as we are trying to put together a core set of tools that listen and do.
And Happy August 2008 to you and all yours mate (-:
Mark