What is the best hardware to use with LMDE 4?

james.jadesword · 11-05-2020, 07:39 PM

My current computer is showing its age. I would like to acquire/build a better computer using the best that can be found. The problem may be that budget constraints may cause me to compromise. What I want is hardware that will be fully compatible with LMDE 4. Would prefer the best AMD processor, best motherboard with the best chipset, and best graphics card(s) for compatibility with LMDE 4. I would like to know what is the best even if it does not conform to my preferences.

IN GOD WE TRUST

frankbell · 11-05-2020, 07:54 PM

I did a search for "linux compatible hardware" because your post intrigued me and found this, which appears to be a great round-up of references: https://www.linux.com/news/my-hardwa...find-out-here/

In general, as regards peripheral devices (wireless, video, etc.), your easiest route is probably Intel inside. Broadcom and RealTek wireless can be problematical, but can usually be got working. The same goes form NVidia graphics (full disclosure: I've not used NVidia graphics; I'm basing that on what I've read here).

james.jadesword · 11-05-2020, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankbell

I did a search for "linux compatible hardware" because your post intrigued me and found this, which appears to be a great round-up of references: https://www.linux.com/news/my-hardwa...find-out-here/

In general, as regards peripheral devices (wireless, video, etc.), your easiest route is probably Intel inside. Broadcom and RealTek wireless can be problematical, but can usually be got working. The same goes form NVidia graphics (full disclosure: I've not used NVidia graphics; I'm basing that on what I've read here).

Thank you for your reply. I will check out the link. I presume the recommendations will be LMDE compatible.

I am currently using AMD Curacao PRO [Radeon R7 370 / R9 270/370 OEM]. You need not answer, but I would line to know which graphics card you are you using.

After reviewing the link, I now have more resources available to make informed decisions. It would be convenient to have a single source, but I do not believe anyone is interested in compiling the data from so many diverse sources. Thank you for the link.

IN GOD WE TRUST

sgosnell · 11-05-2020, 08:32 PM

LMDE has no really unique features. If the computer will run Linux, it will run LMDE. And I know of no PCs, either Intel or AMD, that won't run Linux. If you get the absolutely newest and shiniest, the drivers may not be in the kernel yet, but shouldn't be far behind.

ondoho · 11-06-2020, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james.jadesword

My current computer is showing its age. I would like to acquire/build a better computer using the best that can be found. The problem may be that budget constraints may cause me to compromise. What I want is hardware that will be fully compatible with LMDE 4. Would prefer the best AMD processor, best motherboard with the best chipset, and best graphics card(s) for compatibility with LMDE 4. I would like to know what is the best even if it does not conform to my preferences.

IN GOD WE TRUST

Nothing wrong with the specs you posted. Seriously.
Except RAM maybe, which I could not find.

IN ENTROPY WE TRUST

james.jadesword · 11-06-2020, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ondoho

Nothing wrong with the specs you posted. Seriously.
Except RAM maybe, which I could not find.

Too much RAM does not seem to hurt anything and helps because there is no need for swap space. I figure at least 32 GiB to be sufficient. I never ran out of RAM even running a BOINC process per processor.

The link I was given needs to be updated as all the information is dated and the linked websites have been repurposed or no longer available. I am still looking for a CPU/MOTHERBOARD/CHIPSET as the heart of the new computer that will be compatible with LMDE 4. AMD has some interesting CPU options, but which motherboard will be able to feed it fast enough keep up with the processor's speed?

IN DEBT WE TRUST

mrmazda · 11-07-2020, 03:14 AM

I just put a PC rather like OP's online about a month ago:

Code:

# inxi -bay	# ara88
System:
  Host: ara88 Kernel: 5.4.0-48-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 9.3.0 
  parameters: noresume mitigations=auto consoleblank=0 radeon.cik_support=0 amdgpu.cik_support=1 
  Desktop: Trinity R14.1.0 tk: Qt 3.5.0 info: kicker wm: Twin 3.0 dm: TDM 
  Distro: Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS (Focal Fossa) 
Machine:
  Type: Desktop Mobo: ASRock model: FM2A88X Extreme6+ serial: E80-38024200616 
  UEFI: American Megatrends v: P4.20 date: 01/13/2016 
CPU:
  Info: Quad Core AMD PRO A8-8650B R7 10 Compute Cores 4C+6G [MCP] 
  arch: Steamroller speed: 1397 MHz min/max: 1400/3200 MHz 
Graphics:
  Device-1: AMD Kaveri [Radeon R7 Graphics] vendor: ASRock driver: amdgpu 
  v: kernel alternate: radeon bus ID: 00:01.0 chip ID: 1002:1313 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.8 driver: ati,modesetting 
  unloaded: fbdev,vesa alternate: amdgpu display ID: :0 screens: 1 
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 2560x1440 s-dpi: 144 s-size: 451x254mm (17.8x10.0") 
  s-diag: 518mm (20.4") 
  Monitor-1: DP-1 res: 2560x1440 hz: 60 dpi: 109 size: 598x336mm (23.5x13.2") 
  diag: 686mm (27") 
  OpenGL: renderer: AMD KAVERI (DRM 3.35.0 5.4.0-48-generic LLVM 10.0.0) 
  v: 4.6 Mesa 20.0.8 direct render: Yes 
Network:
  Device-1: Qualcomm Atheros QCA8171 Gigabit Ethernet vendor: ASRock 
  driver: alx v: kernel port: e000 bus ID: 04:00.0 chip ID: 1969:10a1 
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 238.47 GiB used: 41.56 GiB (17.4%) 
Info:...Bash v: 5.0.17 running in: konsole inxi: 3.1.08

Unless he's looking for NVME boot support, I don't see how it could worth trying to upgrade on a low budget. And, I fully agree with sgosnell.

cynwulf · 11-10-2020, 02:28 AM

The kernel supports hardware, not any given distribution. You will need to direct your research / investigations there.

james.jadesword · 01-04-2021, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cynwulf

The kernel supports hardware, not any given distribution. You will need to direct your research / investigations there.

My research so far has yet to be of much help. Impossible to find definitive answers.

I got my current computer on the word of the sales lady that it will be fully Linux compatible. My current computer has USB 3.0 on the motherboard, yet I have never been able to use it.

A previous version of Ubuntu Linux supported my printer to print both sides of a page, Linux Mint and LMDE does not. I am not going back to Ubuntu just to print both sides of a page as I do not require that feature often enough.

Eventually, something critical will fail and I will be without a desktop computer. Most of my storage is on SATA hard drives and I do not have a way to interface SATA hard drives with a laptop. Currently I have six SATA hard drives with data and older versions of Linux. Any suggestions may be helpful.

Yet the resources are seemingly limitless, so I may find what I am looking for on some website that will have me as it's only visitor. The problem with search engines is that they generate hundreds of search result pages and most of the resulting links are not relevant. Just means I must dig deeper in my ongoing quest for arcane knowledge about hardware and Linux.

Perhaps I should not include all of this, but I felt like letting you know how frustrating it is. Apologies for being too verbose.

TorC · 01-04-2021, 08:45 PM

" I do not have a way to interface SATA hard drives with a laptop."
SATA adapter

mobos?

And the CPU?

I'd go with a laptop, as you're looking at close to a grand just for mobo, cpu and fans.

heathcliff36 · 01-05-2021, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james.jadesword

My current computer I would like to acquire/build a better computer using the best that can be found. The problem may be that budget constraints may cause me to compromise.

What is your budget for your new pc?
Generally a higher spec pc costs more money. So it's best to know what's the best pc-build for you within your price range.

Quote:

Originally Posted by james.jadesword

My current computer has USB 3.0 on the motherboard, yet I have never been able to use it.

I have an old pc and also not getting higher than usb2 speeds on my usb3 port.
But I'm putting the fault on the motherboard rather than the linux distro.

Quote:

A previous version of Ubuntu Linux supported my printer to print both sides of a page, Linux Mint and LMDE does not. I am not going back to Ubuntu just to print both sides of a page as I do not require that feature often enough.

Simply have a multi-boot system. Installing Ubuntu won't cost any money.
Use LMDE for general purposes and boot into Ubuntu for printing.

Quote:

Eventually, something critical will fail and I will be without a desktop computer. Most of my storage is on SATA hard drives and I do not have a way to interface SATA hard drives with a laptop. Currently I have six SATA hard drives with data and older versions of Linux. Any suggestions may be helpful.

You can buy an internal/external SSD and transfer all your data onto that.
The new SSD should last far longer than any HDD. With an internal SSD it can simply be transferred to the new-build pc.
I opted for the external SSD version and it has a really thick cable hooking up to the pc. This is important as it's more likely the wiring fails rather than the solid state hardware.
Also, as it's external it's not always hooked upto the pc - thereby increasing its longevity.

Quote:

Just means I must dig deeper in my ongoing quest for arcane knowledge about hardware and Linux.

Currently AMD Ryzen Zen2 cpus are considered much better than Intel.
Get the one within your budget.
Then get a motherboard that is made for that specific cpu. Motherboards aren't so important for performance or compatibility with LMDE imo. Unless it's the more expensive motherboard which will overclock an Intel cpu.

The graphics card is probably the main issue. You'll need to find out if the gpu needs extra device drivers to run with LMDE.

masinick · 01-05-2021, 03:30 PM

If you want to "play it simple" and you live in the USA, just go out and purchase a system manufactured by one of the major desktop or laptop systems companies. If you get a Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and I have probably missed a few, but that's a decent sample, you should be fine.

I've been able to get NVIDIA and Broadcom stuff working too, but I'd generally agree that if you have Intel network and peripheral equipment, that's about as easy as it gets. I've never had difficulty getting a commodity HP printer working either. That doesn't mean that other stuff won't work; these days it probably will. I think I've had more Dell models than anything else, both on the desk and laptop models, but I currently have possession of a Dell Inspiron 5558 laptop that I am using right now, a rock solid Lenovo Thinkpad X201 (former IBM Thinkpad series); a bit heavy as a laptop but as rugged and solid as they come, an HP d5000 series laptop, which HP inherited from their Compaq computer acquisition; again a solid unit. I also have an old HP Pavillion desktop with a large, nice looking flatscreen monitor.

All of these run Linux just fine; these are only examples; plenty of other stuff works too.

mrmazda · 01-05-2021, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heathcliff36

The new SSD should last far longer than any HDD.

Should being the keyword. Being leery of the product's maturity, my first SSD purchase was 31 months ago. I've bought 11 2.5" and 4 M.2. Most get very little use. Of the 15, I've had to have 3 replaced under warranty so far. None that had to be replaced lasted as long as 11 months.

heathcliff36 · 01-06-2021, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmazda

Should being the keyword. Being leery of the product's maturity, my first SSD purchase was 31 months ago. I've bought 11 2.5" and 4 M.2. Most get very little use. Of the 15, I've had to have 3 replaced under warranty so far. None that had to be replaced lasted as long as 11 months.

Wow what are the brand names of the SSDs?

Mine is a 1TB Kingdian from Aliexpress. Just realized some things aren't made to last on Aliexpress.

TorC · 01-06-2021, 11:21 AM

Re: SSD lifespan -- depends on usage -- bought a Samsung 840 PRO 5 yr ago that just late last year went bad on me. Used the crap out of it on at least three laptops and probably more than half a dozen distro installs. The newer Patriots seem better than when first released. And for $20 I bought two of them. See one from inxi below

Code:

Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 111.79 GiB used: 5.48 GiB (4.9%) 
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Patriot model: Burst size: 111.79 GiB 
  speed: 3.0 Gb/s serial: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Adata was not a good choice for me. Have one Neo Forza that is running strong after close to a year.

I'm sure others have experience with other brands I am not at all familiar with. I don't use anything but SSDs nowadays unless it's free.