High performance linux computer

Boniato · 09-20-2017, 09:09 AM

Hi all,

I need to buy a high performance Desktop to install Linux on it and run some 3D simulations.

So I was thinking on this specifics:
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or GTX 1080
Intel 7th Gen Quad Core I7 7700K 4.2GHz
SSD drive/HDD
GIGABYTE GA-Z270X-Ultra Gaming Motherboard
16 GB ram

I have seen similar set-ups in built in PC's (Alienware,Lenovo), but I have also read in some forums people having trouble installing Linux on those.
So I was considering customizing my PC with the above specs in novatech.co.uk.

The problem is that I don't have any experience on this, so my question is double:

1) Is there any built in PC with similar specs that works well without issues with Ubuntu type of distributions?
2) If I assemble the above specs in novatech, will I have installation problems?

Thanks a lot!

DavidMcCann · 09-20-2017, 11:03 AM

GeForce GTX 1070 and the Intel 7700K are fine
http://phoronix.com/scan.php?page=ar...gtx-1070&num=1
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...0k-linux&num=1

The tester used Linux 4.9 and Ubuntu LTS only has 4.4 (Mint has 4.8) but that shouldn't be a problem. I believe there was a problem with the Kaby Lake graphics only being fully supported on the latest kernels, but with NVIDIA graphics that wouldn't apply. Don't forget to get the proprietary driver, though!

John VV · 09-20-2017, 11:07 AM

why only 16 gig ram ?

put in as much as you can afford

also 3d sim's take up a LOT of drive space include a 3 to 4 TB drive

but if you want a REALLY high performance machine ....
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017...6-core-3tb-z8/

Boniato · 09-20-2017, 11:55 AM

All right!

Thanks for your answers.
16Gb of Ram only because I have tested the simulations in a 16Gb laptop and they worked fine. I noticed that for that simulations Ram or CPU were not so relevant but it was GPU making a very big difference.

ondoho · 09-20-2017, 01:06 PM

please be aware that you'll be relying on proprietary graphic drivers, and there is potential for misfortune there.
choose carefully, try to find other people's experiences with a particular hardware, or even better test it yourself.

snowday · 09-27-2017, 02:03 PM

How about a Dell Precision workstation? Highly customizable (many options for CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, etc.) and your choice of either Red Hat or Ubuntu factory preinstalled and 100% supported.

jefro · 09-27-2017, 02:56 PM

Kind of one of those questions with no clear answer.

Might as well look at the newest Intel x processors while you are shopping. It may take some time for linux drivers to catch up fully.

sevendogsbsd · 10-01-2017, 09:15 AM

I thought 3d simulations require something like an Nvidia quadro but I could be wrong. Also, you can pick up an HP z800 or z820 on ebay and newegg (lease return) for a reasonable price. They are absolute beasts. Here's my specs:

Code:

System:    Host: bigzbox Kernel: 4.9.0-3-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit)
           Desktop: Xfce 4.12.3 Distro: Debian GNU/Linux 9 (stretch)
Machine:   Device: desktop System: Hewlett-Packard product: HP Z800 Workstation
           Mobo: Hewlett-Packard model: 0AECh v: D
           BIOS: Hewlett-Packard v: 786G5 v03.60 date: 02/24/2016
CPU(s):    2 Hexa core Intel Xeon X5650s (-HT-MCP-SMP-)
           speed/max: 1596/2661 MHz
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA GP107 [GeForce GTX 1050 Ti]
           Display Server: X.Org 1.19.2 driver: nvidia
           Resolution: 3440x1440@59.97hz
           GLX Renderer: GeForce GTX 1050 Ti/PCIe/SSE2
           GLX Version: 4.5.0 NVIDIA 375.66
Network:   Card-1: Broadcom Limited NetXtreme BCM5764M Gigabit Ethernet PCIe
           driver: tg3
           Card-2: Broadcom Limited NetXtreme BCM5764M Gigabit Ethernet PCIe
           driver: tg3
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 5263.1GB (3.8% used)
Info:      Processes: 353 Uptime: 2:07 Memory: 1472.9/96671.3MB
           Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.3.5

It's about 6 or 7 years old and I have not run any 3d sims or other cad type things through it because I do not have a need to. The box came with a quadro. With my ram upgrades and disk (SSD) upgrades, I am into it about $800-$900 (US). It is a power hog: 1100w power supply so don't expect it to be efficient. I can compile chromium in just over an hour, libreoffice and webkit in about the same time. Those are unfortunately the only use cases I can provide.

Shadow_7 · 10-01-2017, 10:38 AM

It depends on what type of 3D simulations. For gaming nVidia is probably better. For general maths amd might be better. And depending on the workload more cores (thread ripper?), and FAST RAM could be a better boost than faster cores, but fewer of them. Not that recommendations can be made without an implied budget. And more specifics about the workload, like VR versus exploring mars or mapping the sea bed.

John VV · 10-01-2017, 11:23 AM

however to get the most out of a nvidia card it really needs to be CUDA 4 or 5

the nvidia 1060 is a good deal ,the 1080 card is very pricey

273 · 10-01-2017, 11:31 AM

When I'm building a desktop I just do a quick search for the motherboard and Linux in Google (or whatever) and look for issues or not. The vast majority of middle-priced hardware (which seems to be what is being discussed here) is usually supported fine under Linux especially a few months after release. I'd just do a few searches for motherboards capable of supporting the i5 or Rizen 5 and go from there.
As mentioned the NVIDIA card will just need proprietary drivers but the 1070 and 1080 have been around a while so I'd expect them to work fine -- Phoronix tested a 1080 a few months ago.

ballsystemlord · 10-14-2017, 02:42 PM

THREADRIPPER

Actually, for compute, unless you *have* to use CUDA, Vega is a much more powerful compute card.

trumpforprez · 10-17-2017, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boniato

So I was thinking on this specifics:
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or GTX 1080
Intel 7th Gen Quad Core I7 7700K 4.2GHz
SSD drive/HDD
GIGABYTE GA-Z270X-Ultra Gaming Motherboard
16 GB ram

Don't forget you'll need a PSU, case, and CPU fan (the Intel standard fan is not great).

The hardware is high-spec and mainstream - so the manufacturers should provide the necessary drivers for most linux distros to run smoothly.

You can do an internet search for each model of the hardware to see if there are linux compatibility problems.
If there aren't - then you should be fine.