PC build for a software engineer
PC build for a software engineer
I'm a software engineer and I currently have a 5600x/3090FE primary gaming build but I just got a EVGA 3080 FTW Hybrid card. I was wanting to build myself a new work machine with this 3080 hybrid and run some flavor of Ubuntu/Linux on it. I know Linus and Luke are doing a similar challenge and wanted to get some input on what Luke's team deals with if any of them use Linux for development. I haven't decided on a CPU yet as I'm waiting for 12th gen Intel but I'm not sure how that will impact Linux performance(If at all). I'd be interested in some gaming on the machine + mostly PHP/Laravel/VueJS stack development. Currently on a 2020 13" Macbook Pro with 32gb of ram. I was debating a 5800 or 5900x or possibly snagging a 10/11900k once 12th gen releases.
Unless your project requires CUDA, consider selling the 3080 and opting for a 6800XT or 6900XT. Nvidia drivers function on Linux, though many features are missing, some functionalities are broken, and several issues persist. AMD's open-source drivers generally perform better on Linux, offer improved support for modern interfaces like Wayland, and deliver higher performance. For other components, develop them as you would any standard workstation. Skip Wi-Fi connections as they can be unreliable. Most hardware should run out of the box with appropriate drivers. Regarding Alder Lake compatibility, I wouldn't anticipate major problems since the Linux kernel supports ARM architectures for some time now, and Intel has shown support for open-source platforms to a degree. Expect solid Linux support either at release or shortly thereafter. For confirmation, wait for reviews—Level1Techs will likely cover this topic. When choosing a distribution, go with stability-focused ones like Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora, OpenSUSE, etc., and their derivatives. If you're new to Linux, stick with Debian/Ubuntu as it's well-documented for development and gaming. For those seeking a more recent experience, Pop_OS is an excellent choice—it's up-to-date yet stable and leverages Ubuntu's extensive documentation. If you want to explore older options, Vanilla Ubuntu remains a viable alternative.
Based on your comfort level with Linux, arch is the better choice because of the active AUR community and frequent updates. PopOS suits those who prefer a simpler experience. Nvidia integrates smoothly with Linux; those who haven’t used it recently might not have encountered issues. Installing nvidia-dkms ensures optimal performance. Nvidia generally outperforms AMD, though the difference stays around 5%. Regarding Alder Lake support, Intel has released updates to highlight their processors, but real-world results will become clear once the products are available.
Have you worked with functional programming before? Do you know anything about Linux systems? Seconded. My experience with AMD graphics on Linux is exceptional. With NVIDIA, updates to the graphics stack and kernels often lag, which can limit your GPU performance during upgrades. In contrast, AMD GPU support in the mainline Linux kernel arrives ahead of hardware releases and remains stable, eliminating concerns about kernel or Xorg versions.
He gave a clear illustration with a real scenario. Ampere started with day 0 support, and I've been using the mainline kernel with the newest stable drivers from NVIDIA for quite some time. They attempt to launch it early, but they consistently fall behind—merge windows often stall at just one version, suggesting mainstream distros won't have support for another six months. Navi 2 was the first instance where they experienced a more stable outcome.