System requirements for new machine?

madape · #1 18th March 2004, 01:54 PM

It's been a while, haven't posted much lately.

Anyhow, a mate of mine is going to put Linux on a spare machine of his (He would put Windoze on, but its too expensive). He admitted himself that he will probably get rid of the computer as its too old, but I thought that if I found a distribution thats fairly user friendly and looks swish, then maybe he'd look into Linux a little more.

The PC he's installing on will have a 266-300ish mhz processor and 64 meg of Ram.

Now my first idea was to let him install Fedora, simply because its a fairly nice environment to explore with, and has an easy installer. I've looked for system requirements on the fedora website, but to no avail.

I can't give support or development to the linux community, so I try my hardest to promote it in every way. Thats my way of trying to give something back. You think Fedora would run okay on this machine? If you think Fedora would be hard pushed on this machine, could you recommend another distro for a first timer on this spec?

Sorry if I've got this in the wrong section

Ug · #2 18th March 2004, 02:13 PM

The release notes can be found here. And they suggest:

Quote:

Hardware Requirements
The following information represents the minimum hardware requirements necessary to successfully install Fedora Core 1:

CPU:

NOTE: The following CPU specifications are stated in terms of Intel processors. Other processors (notably, offerings from AMD, Cyrix, and VIA) that are compatible with and equivalent to the following Intel processors may also be used with Fedora Core.

Minimum: Pentium-class

NOTE: Fedora Core 1 is optimized for Pentium PRO (and later) CPUs, but also supports Pentium-class CPUs. This approach has been taken because Pentium-class optimizations actually result in reduced performance for non-Pentium-class processors.

Recommended for text-mode: 200 MHz Pentium-class or better

Recommended for graphical: 400 MHz Pentium II or better

Hard Disk Space (NOTE: Additional space will be required for user data):

Custom Installation (Minimal): 520MB

Server: 870MB

Personal Desktop: 1.9GB

Workstation: 2.4GB

Custom Installation (Everything): 5.3GB

Memory:

Minimum for text-mode: 64MB

Minimum for graphical: 192MB

Recommended for graphical: 256MB

Note that the compatibility/availability of other hardware components (such as video and network cards) may be required for specific installation modes and/or post-installation usage.

So yea, it should be fine. I run Fedora Core 1 quite happily on a P3 450.

mike · #3 18th March 2004, 05:23 PM

Should be fine. If he can fine some memory for cheap, he may want to pump that up.

If he wants a graphical environment, I would suggest using WindowMaker. Works great for me on slow CPU/small memory machines.

Mike

Ug · #4 18th March 2004, 06:29 PM

I found the default Gnome to be quite speedy, too on low spec PCs.

Lindy · #5 18th March 2004, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by madape

The PC he's installing on will have a 266-300ish mhz processor and 64 meg of Ram.

My old laptop is about the same class ( 300Mhz. 64mb ram) I run Vector Linux 3.0 on it. Vec. is a slackware based dist. thats stripped down to the essentials, and tweaked to play nice on older hardware. They now have a live CD version so you can check it out without having to commit any hd space.
Point your browser to http://www.vectorlinux.com/

Ug · #6 18th March 2004, 06:42 PM

*cough* traitor *cough*

I run FC1 fine, on a P450 have i mentioned?

Prometheus · #7 18th March 2004, 08:44 PM

basically it will run, but more = better. If nothing else, get him to pick up another stick of ram. You can find a 128 meg chip for under $30 american, (i dont know exactly what that converts to in pounds)

Ug · #8 18th March 2004, 08:52 PM

£15 - which tbh sounds a bit too cheap over here.

Prometheus · #9 18th March 2004, 08:53 PM

thats for like pc 100, for pci 2100 or higher itll still be round like $50, so 25 pounds. You can pickup a 512 stick of 3200 for $70, so i wouldnt pay more than like $40 for a stick of 128.

check www.pricewatch.com

just dont buy from anyold site though, some try to screw u. Check their history and reveiws and stuff, and if all else fails, check www.crucial.com though theyre kinda pricey

Bana · #10 19th March 2004, 07:12 AM

I reccomend Xfce4 it is very slick but designed for low performance hit. I am running fedora fine on a 266 Pentium 2 with 96 Megs of ram (laptop) so you should be fine.

Ug · #11 19th March 2004, 12:34 PM

XFCE4 i've heard of that. Any good? Whats it like?

mhelios · #12 19th March 2004, 01:12 PM

I'd say XFCE4 is a cross between the speed of ICEWM and the power/usability of GNOME/KDE. There's a screenshot a one of our users running it in the Screenshots gallery. It looks fantastic imo.

Ug · #13 19th March 2004, 03:24 PM

I'm quite happy with my gnome atm.

Jman · #14 25th March 2004, 12:03 AM

In summary: more memory is better and consider a less resource-intensive window manager or desktop enviornment.

Marked as resolved.

AliOop · #15 10th April 2004, 07:07 AM

I like Fedora and am not trying to steer you to another distro, but if I had the machine your friend has, I'd download DSL. Damn Small Linux. Perfect for a low powered PC.