AMD Athlon 64 Motherboards for server

[Rajan Varadarajan]

Dear PC Stats forum folks:
I am interested in building a home server running Linux (ubuntu) 64-bit OS. The more I read about motherboard specs the more I am confused. First, my needs:
1. I am not a gamer but the server should be able to act as a file server, web server, and database server.
2. Should be able to handle 8GB RAM
3. The case and power supply do not have to be fancy but sufficient enough to permit upgrades like adding a fancy graphics card if necessary later.
4. Don't like Vista but may be forced to run it to allow me to bring work home.
5. Ideally would like to be able to dual boot Linux and Vista either by using two separate hard drives (haven't figured out yet how to do this).

I am a software (database and web) developer and mostly ignorant about the subtleties of hardware like overclocking (which I don't want to hassle with).

If I can get the motherboard, processor, and the case and power supply under $200, I can scrounge other components from my older machines (at least for now).
Thanks much in advance for your suggestions/recommendations.

Rajan

[-=CrAnSwIcK=-]

200$ is a little tight for cpu, mobo and PSU...as any decent PSU will cost almost 100$...i would say you need a bit more cash...$300 might do it...but with a budget like that you're looking at an AMD CPU probably, or the new core2 based Intel celeron dual-core CPU's...generic DDR2 RAM is cheaper than a family meal at KFC, so if you don't plan on overclocking, go with that...case doesn't matter, whatever's cheapest, they all work :p and as far as the power supply goes, i think Antec has a budget line of decent PSU's...

[yahooadam]

Your sort of asking for conflicting things

A PSU capable of running a "fancy" gfx card is going to set you back quite alot
The motherboard shouldnt be too hard, most DDR-2 Ones support 8gb

any PC should work with vista

A P3 with 512mb ram is probably more then you need for what your doing (depending on the file server bit)

[jdrom17]

I don't think you can really get everything you want in a $200 price...

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103774
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131172
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313019
Case/PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129031

So you'd need to spend at least $300 to get something semi-decent which could run Vista okay as well. You definitely need 2GB of RAM for Vista, the dual-core CPU is optional I guess but I'd recommend having it.