Is Linux compatible with Haswell or are we better to stick with Ivy Bridge?
 

I realise the answer to this will change over time depending on when this is read but as of this current time frame (the present till the end of 2013) is Linux compatible with Intel's Haswell CPUs or are we better off sticking with Ivy Bridge?

The reason I am asking is I am planning a new build that I would like to last for a decent length of time. As an example my old (current desktop) Pentium 4 has been used everyday without complaint since 2002/3 (the CPU since 2002, the motherboard since 2003). It is slowing down with modern graphical DEs and programs so it will become a headless server. The build will probably be completed by the end of this year, no promises even to myself, and I will get the bulk of the hardware (motherboard, PCU, RAM, PSU, in other words the "needs") this month depending on how much work I get. This will get the machine operational and I can add the extras (the "wants") later.

Define "Linux".
Use a modern enough distro and it will. I know RHEL 6.4 works on a Haswell machine (though 6.2 DVD wouldn't boot). I'm sure Debian Testing does; I am not sure about Wheezy.

Hello

I built another new box about a month or two ago and it's running Linux just fine with a Haswell CPU. In fact, I'm typing this from that machine.

Edit: I'm running the Intel Core i7-4770K Haswell 3.5GHz if it matters.

Look at my signature and see what I use.
Well my desktop runs Sid, my laptop (Sandy Bridge I think although maybe older) runs various versions of Wheezy, Testing, Sid, and also Slackware 14.

Thank you for that. I will be using an i7 but was tossing up between an i7 4820k, i7 4930k (both Ivy Bridge Socket 2011 which gives the opportunity for ridiculous amounts of RAM up to 64GB and somewhat future proofs the system) or the i7 4770k like you are using (Socket 1150 which current motherboards only allow up to 32GB RAM which is still a ridiculous amount currently).

Right... I have 32GB of G.Skill RAM in this box, but rarely ever use more than about 3 or 4 percent of it.

The only problem I had was getting my head around UEFI vs Legacy-BIOS motherboards. After playing around and experimenting with it for a couple of days, it all made sense, so I reinstalled Arch and I've been living happily with UEFI, Haswell, and Linux ever since.

When going to the absolutely latest-and-greatest I've found issues with the non-Intel chips incorporated on the motherboard rather than the Intel itself. With more functionality moving on-chip this is likely less of an issue as time passes. Intel are pretty good with Linux support.

Staying right on top of Linus' git tree usually sorts driver support pretty quickly.

If I go Haswell that is where I would go, Socket 2011 I was just gonna splash for the full G.Skill 64GB kit.

Yes well that's the next hurdle. I know nothing about UEFI and Linux so I have alot more reading to do.

Maybe I asked the wrong question then. Maybe I should start a new thread about my motherboard choices.

OK, this might not 'feel' right, but...

For non-australian forums users, all prices in $au from one of the cheapest australaian suppliers.

64GB (8 x 8GB) gskill is $759 @ umart-

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products...d=2&sid=104555

A LGA 2011 motherboard is going to be minimum $220 or so, up to $350-400 depending on brand a features.

Not much point buying a 4 core LGA 2011 CPU like the i7 4820K, which is just under $400 (and sometimes the 4770K is faster anyway)-

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products...d=2&sid=139213

The 6 core i7 4930K is $665-

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products...d=2&sid=139219

So for about $1600 you can get LGA 2011 board/64GB RAM/6 core CPU.

A LGA 1155/1150 system with quad core and 32GB would be more like $700-1000 depending on exactly what parts (about $120-240 on the board, about $400 on 32GB RAM, $200-350 for the CPU).

I dont think that 64GB is going to be useful enough to bother spending twice as much as a 32GB system, or that a 6 core i7 is going to offer value for money performance over a LGA 1155/1150 i5/i7.

The only reason why I'd even consider a LGA 2011 system for most users without a large bank ballance is possibly for heavy use of virtualisation. To be honest, I'm not really up on virtualisation, but IIRC while the 'sandy bridge/ivy birdge' i7s do support most or all (depending on model) virtualisation features, getting a motherboard that suports them can be a huge PITA with LGA 1155.

I havent checked the situation with LGA 1150.

BTW, UEFI is suppotred by debian 7.0 64bit. A lot of motherboards have a 'legacy' BIOS setting.

Thanks for doing the legwork .... ;)
Haven't been down to the Milton store in a while ... might (also for me) be time to trash a couple of old systems and get a decent box in operation.

Huh?

PCCG $715 http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=20099, the price went up last week from $699.

I was looking at this http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=21585 for $239
the same motherboard with "Workstation" features is $489.

Thanks, the difference between the CPUs is what I have been juggling.

Moving motherboard discussion here.