AM4 motherboards for linux mint?

rnturn · 05-08-2020, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan64

In general it is ok.

It may not be a problem any more but when I went with a Ryzen CPU with the built-in Vega graphics (2200G), the motherboard was unable to use it without a BIOS update. The board had only on the market for maybe six months months but it was ju-u-st old enough that it didn't know how to deal with the graphics in the newly released CPU. Check the vintage of the m'board BIOS, see if it has any recent updates, and apply them to bring it up-to-date.

HTH...

vort · 05-08-2020, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachboy2

vort,

The R7 3700X is probably the best cpu available at your budget of $300.

The MSI B450 Tomahawk Max B450 board will do the job without going to the expense of an X570 board.

The X570 boards add PCIe 4.0:
https://www.anandtech.com/show/14605...sing-the-bar/3
Can you live without it?

For graphics cards you are looking at something like an AMD Radeon X580 or nvidia 1060, or something more modern (and expensive).

Note that the X580 will use a lot more juice (runs hotter) than the 1060 and could well be noisier.
Ask users for advice.

You need a recent kernel, so try Ubuntu 19.1 (5.3) or Ubuntu 20.04 (5.4) or Manjaro (5.6).

You really need to use dual not single channel RAM, so start with 2 x 16GB and then add two more sticks later.

Read up on RAM timings and overclocking. Lower CAS is generally better along with a high MHz figure.

http://blog.logicalincrements.com/20...-true-latency/

https://www.tomshardware.com/uk/revi...uide,6347.html

Check what LAN/wifi cards are used on the mobos.

For example, the MSI B450 Tomahawk Max B450 board uses the famous Realtek RTL8111 (just do an internet search), so you can either find a suitable USB wifi card or better still, use the Intel EXPI9301CTBLK PRO1000 Network Card CT PCIex which is supported in the Linux kernel:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-EXPI9.../dp/B001CY0P7G

I hope you have a quality case and case fans to keep things cool, plus a decent CPU cooler such as this Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cooler-Mast...0068OI7T8?th=1

I suggest that you do a lot more research before you part with your cash.

I will only be using Linux MINT because I need a graphical interface. I cannot even set the firewall on ubuntu.

And I thought everything past Ubuntu 18.04 didn't work with the new Ryzen 3000 series CPU's...??????? I know MINT 19.3 uses Ubuntu 18.4 as a base. I don't know what MINT 20 will be using.

I don't even need wifi. I don't use it. I would prefer a B550 or x570 chipset though, just to future...resist.

I know how to build a PC... generally (it's been a while). I just need to avoid compatibility issues, like that horrible processor compatibility issue. I really wish
these companies would stop being such a PITA. It shouldn't be that hard to just test to see if these things work,
and work with the Linux developers to make sure their stuff works.

And yes, I intend to. It will probably be months before I finally build.

beachboy2 · 05-08-2020, 08:14 AM

vort,

Plenty of motherboards for Ryzen 3rd gen listed here:
https://www.cgdirector.com/best-moth...ryzen-3rd-gen/

@rnturn,
You are right to flag up that warning.
It is less of a problem now but it is still possible to buy an AMD AM4 board which needs a BIOS update before it will work with Ryzen 3rd gen CPUs.

Those boards with boxes marked 3rd gen Ready should be okay, but those marked Compatible may well not be.
Then again, what's actually inside the box? Is it old stock?

You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?

All the x570 boards should work out of the box with 3rd gen CPUs.

Timothy Miller · 05-08-2020, 08:40 PM

All x570/b550 will work with 3000 series.

All x470 will work with a bios update. Some of these boards can be flashed WITHOUT a compatible processor installed. Some that are still being produced will now be coming with compatible BIOS for 3000 series.

MOST B450 will work with a bios update. A small number of these can be flased without a compatible processor installed. Some that are still being produced will now be coming with compatible BIOS for 3000 series.

Most X370 will work with a bios update.

Some B350/A320 will work with a bios update.

beachboy2 · 05-27-2020, 08:36 AM

vort,

Just in case you have not already seen this info about AM4 and Ryzen with Linux (including Realtek LAN drivers):
https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...og.php?b=38257

Good luck with your build.