Linux driver compatibility concerns
 

Hey guys. I am new to computer science, and have been building a desktop pc. I would like to use Linux as my os, but I am concerned about driver compatibility. My specs are as follows:
Cpu: i7 4770k
Mobo: Asus z87 pro
PSU: Corsair hx750
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 2 x 8
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 2tb
Boot Drive: Plextor m5s 256gb
Optical Drive: Lg ch12Is28
Video card: Zotac GTX 660 ti AMP!
CPU cooler: cooler master 212 evo

If anyone could tell me if these components are linux compatible, tell me where I could find that out myself, or assist me in any way, I would greatly appreciate it. Sorry if I am posting this in the wrong section, I just joined the forums :p.

Everything on the list should be fine.
CPU and main-board are both brand new so somethings may not function right away. However Intel has very good support in up to date distributions (Fedora, Mint etc).

You will need to do a little extra work to get TRIM up and running for the SSD.

The on-board Ethernet is 1xIntel and 1xRealtek, both should work fine. Audio is Realtek should work great. ASmedia SATA controller can be ignored (dark brown) may function but the Intel will have great support. Bluetooth and wireless, this is a bit harder to judge without downloading a couple hundred MB of Windows drivers I am not sure who makes them, I will assume Atheros as on some of the previous boards and they may or may not work.

The graphics card should be well supported with either a akmod-nvidia approach or the drivers from nVidia directly.

Personal note, I have had the chance to work with Corsair RAM frequently and unfortunately it has proved to be rather unstable for my tastes. Furthermore if it is 1.65v RAM the main-board may only be able to increment to 1.64v or 1.66v, 1.66v would void the warranty (if Asus or Intel ever found out).

This will be a pretty sweet rig.

I believe the ram is 1.5 volts. Is that okay? The bluetooth and wireless connectivity are important to me, because I don't have a hardline for my computer to hook into, and my peripherals operate off bluetooth. Do you think I can still pull it off, or should I bite the bullet and go Windows?

If you already have all the components what you can do is get an updated version of a Linux base OS, like:
Linux Mint---------------> http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php
Zorin -----------------> http://zorin-os.com/
Ubuntu -------------------> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/deskto
OpenSUSE ----------------> http://www.opensuse.org/en/

Download the ISO file from their site, burn it to a CD or DVD, or you can make a bootable USB drive and start your computer from it.

If all the hardware is supported then you would know because everything will work fine during boot. You can run a Live Session while booted from the CD or DVD or USB and further test other components while in the live session, test the bluetooth, sounds, etc.

If everything is working fine then you can install in the hard drive of your machine. Now if something doesnt work chances are there is a driver for your component that was not included in the install ISO image but you can always find it after installation and then it will function fine. If there is not a driver then just give it few months and there will be a driver for it.

Good luck to you and have fun

1.5V should be fine, I just worry about quality/stability.

I did end up downloading the bluetooth and wireless drivers, the board uses a Qualcom Atheros chip for both, I think they will function. I doubt the bluetooth will work during the OS install, be it Windows or Linux, but I have not tested this.

Worst case if you try Linux then you have just lost a day or two, no investment in $120+ operating system.

You might want to see the HW compatibility link (HCL) at the top of this page