Intel vs AMD, when running LinuxMint, which is better..?

[stuartornum]

Hi,

Its that time again when I need to upgrade my good old desktop.

However now I've made the transition to Linux from windows, I am unsure on the best hardware for the job, here what I use my desktop for:

Web browsing
Email (Thunderbird)
Music (Banshee)
Web Development (MS Frontpage, Flash through Crossover office)
A lot of remote server administration / maintenance

And thats about it, I don't play games really so theres something to exclude.

So what do you reckon would be the ideal setup on the hardware side:

CPU

I was thinking of the AMD 64 X2 6000+ or the Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 both roughly the same price... and advantages / disadvantages to either..?

Graphics Card

Now I have a dual screen (2 x 19in widescreen setup) with a third possibly on the way..

What is better nVidia or ATI in terms of performance / ease of setup on a LINUX system. In guessing in order to use a third screen an additional cheap PCI graphics card will be required.

Sound Card

I have always had problems with linux and 5.1 surround sound setup. Is there a card that is universally accepted in linux distros to work fully with 5.1? without any major modification as well.


I think once I get these three things sorted I can really make staying with linux more achievable, instead of relapsing back to windows... (please.... I really don't want to!)

Thanks in advance.

[Husse]

In terms of CPU and motherboard not really a big difference but some of the newest Intel has had problems, so perhaps AMD
Video card definitely nvidia. ATI is not quite ready yet with the new drivers, but hopefully soon
Sound - don't know - use 2+1 myself and to few questions in the forum. It seems though that you should not use Creative, but with the exception of (sorry I forgot which one) they should work with some tweaking

[linuxviolin]

Video card definitely nvidia. ATI is not quite ready yet with the new drivers, but hopefully soon

And what about nvidia card with ATI SATA Controller PCI and Host Bridges, ATI USB Controllers, ATI IDE Interface etc on the same PC?

[poision]

And what about nvidia card with ATI SATA Controller PCI and Host Bridges, ATI USB Controllers, ATI IDE Interface etc on the same PC?

hi i dont think it ll create any problem.Only ati graphic is an issue in linux but amd just released some linux drivers for ati.I think clem is going to include those in daryna.So if you ll wait n see review that ll be better.

[mbjbdc]

specs
biostar tf560+2 motherboard
nvidia 8600 gt
4gig ddr800
amd x2 6000
the only problem i ran into was running two sata dvd burner
will not boot
swapped out one for ide works great now. took a while to figure out

[Husse]

@ poision
It actually works well with your combination