Best components for linux pc build

hawksfan92 · 02-20-2017, 07:11 PM

So I've been looking at building a desktop, and research isn't very specific so I'm wondering if there is better components to use for a Linux build, AMD or Intel, motherboard and ram. Has anyone done a custom Linux build? What hardware did you use?

frankbell · 02-20-2017, 09:07 PM

I haven't built a Linux computer, but I've run a lot of them. As regards hardware, you pretty much can't go wrong with Intel.

For trouble-free wireless, in particular, avoid Broadcom and Realtek and stick with Intel.

hawksfan92 · 02-20-2017, 09:13 PM

That's kinda what I gathered, I looked up what system 76 uses and I don't think I saw 1 AMD system. The only thing I'm debating on in Intel I3 dual core or I5 quad core. And from my research Ubuntu 16.04 is made to work with the new uefi bios. It was a pain installing Ubuntu on my windows 8 laptop a few years ago when uefi was still kinda new.

frankbell · 02-20-2017, 09:17 PM

I have two Zareasons which I'm quite happy with. They are both Intel inside and the desktop has an MSI motherboard (I'm not sure about the laptop). And because they are native Linux machines, Windows secure market shar--er, secure boot--is not an issue.

Good luck. And when you have the computer built, I think the project would make a great LQ Blog post.

Afterthought:

My machines are both i3 and I'm quite satisfied, but I'd say go for the i5. There is no such thing as too much computer.

hawksfan92 · 02-20-2017, 09:20 PM

Have you had any problems with your mobo? Yeah it would. I'm sure it could answer a lot of people's questions.

frankbell · 02-20-2017, 09:21 PM

I have had no problems with either machine, at least no problems not of my own doing

.

I'm a satisfied Zareason customer.

hawksfan92 · 02-20-2017, 09:24 PM

I'm glad to hear that, I've kinda been leaning towards an msi board, and then I read this article and someone was saying to avoid msi with a Linux build. But if you use it and haven't had a problem that's good enough for me.

frankbell · 02-20-2017, 09:41 PM

I can't comment on the experiences of others, but I have no complaints. I have a copy of the manual (I like to RTFM). It's for a "Z87M-G43/H87M-G43/B85M-G43 Motherboard," according to the title, so I'm guessing it's a G43.

The desktop machine, a Zareason Limbo, is a couple of years old and I'm sure the current version has slightly different components. You can see the specs for the current version of the Limbo here.

[EDITORIAL MODE ON]

Just as an aside, speaking as a Linux geek, buying native Linux computers was one of the high points of my geek life. I picked Zareason because they let me pick the distro. Ubuntu lost me with Unity. I like my overlapping windows.

[EDITORIAL MODE OFF]

Good luck and fill us in with the end of the story.

jsbjsb001 · 02-20-2017, 09:47 PM

Yes I have, here's the lspci command output for ya;

Code:

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor DMI (rev 11)
00:03.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor PCI Express Root Port 1 (rev 11)
00:08.0 System peripheral: Intel Corporation Core Processor System Management Registers (rev 11)
00:08.1 System peripheral: Intel Corporation Core Processor Semaphore and Scratchpad Registers (rev 11)
00:08.2 System peripheral: Intel Corporation Core Processor System Control and Status Registers (rev 11)
00:08.3 System peripheral: Intel Corporation Core Processor Miscellaneous Registers (rev 11)
00:10.0 System peripheral: Intel Corporation Core Processor QPI Link (rev 11)
00:10.1 System peripheral: Intel Corporation Core Processor QPI Routing and Protocol Registers (rev 11)
00:16.0 Communication controller: Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset HECI Controller (rev 06)
00:19.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82578DC Gigabit Network Connection (rev 06)
00:1a.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset USB2 Enhanced Host Controller (rev 06)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset High Definition Audio (rev 06)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset PCI Express Root Port 1 (rev 06)
00:1c.4 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset PCI Express Root Port 5 (rev 06)
00:1d.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset USB2 Enhanced Host Controller (rev 06)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 PCI Bridge (rev a6)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation H55 Chipset LPC Interface Controller (rev 06)
00:1f.2 SATA controller: Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset 6 port SATA AHCI Controller (rev 06)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset SMBus Controller (rev 06)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: NVIDIA Corporation GF116 [GeForce GTX 550 Ti] (rev a1)
01:00.1 Audio device: NVIDIA Corporation GF116 High Definition Audio Controller (rev a1)
03:00.0 USB controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VL805 USB 3.0 Host Controller (rev 01)
04:00.0 Network controller: Qualcomm Atheros AR9227 Wireless Network Adapter (rev 01)
3f:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor QuickPath Architecture Generic Non-Core Registers (rev 04)
3f:00.1 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor QuickPath Architecture System Address Decoder (rev 04)
3f:02.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor QPI Link 0 (rev 04)
3f:02.1 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor QPI Physical 0 (rev 04)
3f:03.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Memory Controller (rev 04)
3f:03.1 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Memory Controller Target Address Decoder (rev 04)
3f:03.4 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Memory Controller Test Registers (rev 04)
3f:04.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Memory Controller Channel 0 Control Registers (rev 04)
3f:04.1 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Memory Controller Channel 0 Address Registers (rev 04)
3f:04.2 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Memory Controller Channel 0 Rank Registers (rev 04)
3f:04.3 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Memory Controller Channel 0 Thermal Control Registers (rev 04)
3f:05.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Memory Controller Channel 1 Control Registers (rev 04)
3f:05.1 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Memory Controller Channel 1 Address Registers (rev 04)
3f:05.2 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Memory Controller Channel 1 Rank Registers (rev 04)
3f:05.3 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Memory Controller Channel 1 Thermal Control Registers (rev 04)

The only thing that does not work is getting the fan speeds with utilities like the sensors command. I built it in around 2010/2011, therefore today's hardware offerings would be better. But must say it works well!

ardvark71 · 02-21-2017, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawksfan92

So I've been looking at building a desktop, and research isn't very specific so I'm wondering if there is better components to use for a Linux build, AMD or Intel, motherboard and ram.

Hi...

I agree with what frankbell has said. Intel and Nvidia are well supported in Linux for the most part. Take a look through the page here, which, although a bit dated, might give additional helpful information. The other bit advice I'd offer is, if possible, don't skimp on quality if you can afford it, particularly with the motherboard and PSU. The brands used for the capacitors is also important here. For PSU's, Seasonic, Corsair (higher end) and PC Power & Cooling are good brands, although there are others. Here is a guide to the different brands and products and their level of quality along with a calculator here that might be useful.

Regards...

jsbjsb001 · 02-21-2017, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardvark71

Hi...

I agree with what frankbell has said. Intel and Nvidia are well supported in Linux for the most part. Take a look through the page here, which, although a bit dated, might give additional helpful information. The other bit advice I'd offer is, if possible, don't skimp on quality if you can afford it, particularly with the motherboard and PSU. The brands used for the capacitors is also important here. For PSU's, Seasonic, Corsair (higher end) and PC Power & Cooling are good brands, although there are others. Here is a guide to the different brands and products and their level of quality along with a calculator here that might be useful.

Regards...

Just what frankbell said?? I guess you did not see my post above, no?

hawksfan92 · 02-21-2017, 02:59 AM

Yeah those links confirmed what I already thought I was going to have to do. Except I don't think I'm going to get a video card right now, should just be able to use the graphics card on the CPU. I decided to go with I5 7400. And for my motherboard I think I might go with the gigabyte GA z207x gaming 5. On new egg it specifically mentioned working well with Linux.

Shadow_7 · 02-21-2017, 03:38 AM

I look at computers as disposables. No need to build one if all you're getting is an i3 or i5. Buy prebuilt and buy cheap IMO, which leaves you enough cash to buy in on the "next" generation if you're still underwhelmed. And have a usb dongle for anything that might be quirky under linux (or BSD).

Unless you need something special like 64GB ECC RAM, or the latest GPU, building one is a waste of money IMO. Most of my recent upgrades, have been forced upgrades, because a web browser no longer runs in 512MB RAM, or even 2GB RAM. But I'm not that reluctant to buy in since newer things use about 1/10th the power of the older things while being silent and smaller.

jsbjsb001 · 02-21-2017, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow_7

I look at computers as disposables. No need to build one if all you're getting is an i3 or i5. Buy prebuilt and buy cheap IMO, which leaves you enough cash to buy in on the "next" generation if you're still underwhelmed. And have a usb dongle for anything that might be quirky under linux (or BSD).

Unless you need something special like 64GB ECC RAM, or the latest GPU, building one is a waste of money IMO. Most of my recent upgrades, have been forced upgrades, because a web browser no longer runs in 512MB RAM, or even 2GB RAM. But I'm not that reluctant to buy in since newer things use about 1/10th the power of the older things while being silent and smaller.

Yeah, that's why I got the i7 straight away!

hawksfan92 · 02-21-2017, 04:07 AM

Wish I had that kind of money to spend