Want to construct a fresh Linux-based PC? Any guidance is appreciated.
Want to construct a fresh Linux-based PC? Any guidance is appreciated.
Alright, after doing more research (from mainly watching GamersNexus, thanks guy for the suggestion), I've managed to make a build that's a lot closer to my desired price mark of £1500.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor
(£139.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
CPU Cooler:
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler
(£36.95 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Motherboard:
MSI PRO B550M-VC WIFI Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard
(£110.09 @ Amazon UK)
Memory:
Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
(£90.00 @ Amazon UK)
Storage:
Western Digital Black SN770 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive
(£109.69 @ Amazon UK)
Storage:
Seagate IronWolf NAS 4 TB 3.5" 5400 RPM Internal Hard Drive
(£106.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Video Card:
Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB Video Card
(£319.00 @ Amazon UK)
Case:
be quiet! Pure Base 600 ATX Mid Tower Case
(£89.99 Overclockers.co.uk)
Power Supply:
MSI MAG A750GL PCIE5 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
(£89.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Optical Drive:
Asus BW-16D1HT Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer
(£88.03 @ Amazon UK)
Case Fan:
Thermalright TL-C12C X3 66.17 CFM 120 mm Fans 3-Pack
(£18.07 @ Amazon UK)
Monitor:
Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A 27.0" 2560 x 1440 180 Hz Monitor
(£198.95 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Keyboard:
HP HyperX Alloy Origins Core RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard
(£66.70 @ Amazon UK)
Mouse:
HP HyperX Pulsefire Surge Wired Optical Mouse
(£42.98 @ Amazon UK)
Headphones:
HP HyperX Cloud II 7.1 Channel Headset
(£53.79 @ Amazon UK)
Total:
£1,600.52
I believe the main issue was the CPU. I don't think I needed a AM5 type, this AM4 one I found along with this other GPU should be able to achieve 1440p 144hz gaming, as well do general software tasks fine. I don't play triple AAA games anyway so I'm not bothered that this rig won't be able to run them at peak performance, but from what I've seen of the CPU and GPUs capabilities, it can run newer games fine. A friend of mind helped me fix the storage, so that's all good.
When discussing a Linux build, it's best to avoid being too forward with the latest features. Linux drivers tend to be less available compared to Windows.
I believe the conversation has focused too much on components while overlooking your Linux selection. I've used Mint and Ubuntu before for testing, and noticed their drivers are often inadequate, particularly for the latest audio chips. To get the best results, choose a specific Linux distribution, check which peripherals it supports, and identify any required drivers. I’ve discovered that with sound drivers, Linux may not function properly. It’s wise to verify which sound chips your chosen distro supports and whether an extra driver is needed before using any hardware. Without proper audio output, editing videos or gaming becomes difficult.
Thanks for the advice, I heeded it, and it seems like now I have to go make an account on a Linux Mint forum to get some help on this further. I've searched around, and there isn't really any website or information that shows Linux compatibility with components, peripherals, and their drivers. Even the people on Linux mint forum say this. There's this...
Linux Hardware Database
A database of all the hardware that works under linux
linux-hardware.org
But I've only managed to find that the CPU is cleared. Can't find if Linux works on the other PC components and peripherals I want, seems like it's only effective when it already has the PC built to probe. Perhaps I'm not looking properly, I dunno. ;_;
The only information I have is that Mint doesn't work well with Realtek ALC 4080 audio chips, which are recognized as USB audio in Windows. I searched for ways to make Mint compatible with that chip, but found instructions about modifying Linux installations that were confusing. I wouldn't suggest using Linux right away on motherboards with a 4080 chip.
I personally rely on Pop OS from System76, which is crafted to be more suitable for businesses and straightforward to adopt. It offers a balanced experience and works well with most systems. It isn't a cutting-edge distribution, and it's built on Ubuntu 22.04, meaning the latest hardware software might not function immediately.
System76 also assembles their own machines using Pop or Ubuntu pre-installed, providing solid performance based on the configuration.
A friend assisted me in creating an alternative version with only minor changes. The GPU was switched to a nvidia model, and there was no monitor included. This adjustment was made to ensure compatibility with the G-Sync monitor I already own, resulting in a more cost-effective build. I chose AMD components because others frequently criticize nvidia on Linux, but my friends have reported no issues using nvidia hardware with Linux. I remain uncertain about the decision.
Video Card:
Asus DUAL OC GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB Video Card
(£399.95 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Alright, so I think I've managed to narrow it down between two builds. The first one that I've already talked about that's on the lower end here...
And this new one I've made, which uses most of the same parts, except for the CPU, Motherboard, Memory, and Video Card. This build is on the higher end...
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor
(£319.97 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler:
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler
(£39.90 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard:
Gigabyte B650 EAGLE AX ATX AM5 Motherboard
(£124.99 @ Amazon UK)
Memory:
Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory
(£94.99 @ Amazon UK)
Storage:
Western Digital Black SN770 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive
(£109.69 @ Amazon UK)
Storage:
Seagate IronWolf NAS 4 TB 3.5" 5400 RPM Internal Hard Drive
(£106.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Video Card:
XFX Speedster SWFT 210 Core Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card
(£429.98 @ Amazon UK)
Case:
be quiet! Pure Base 600 ATX Mid Tower Case
(£89.99 Overclockers.co.uk)
Power Supply:
MSI MAG A750GL PCIE5 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
(£89.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Optical Drive:
Asus BW-16D1HT Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer
(£88.03 @ Amazon UK)
Case Fan:
Thermalright TL-C12C X3 66.17 CFM 120 mm Fans 3-Pack
(£18.07 @ Amazon UK)
Monitor:
Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A 27.0" 2560 x 1440 180 Hz Monitor
(£198.95 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Keyboard:
HP HyperX Alloy Origins Core RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard
(£66.70 @ Amazon UK)
Mouse:
HP HyperX Pulsefire Surge Wired Optical Mouse
(£42.98 @ Amazon UK)
Headphones:
HP HyperX Cloud II 7.1 Channel Headset
(£53.79 @ Amazon UK)
Total:
£1,893.16
I would perhaps prefer to go with the cheaper build, however, it was highly suggested that I pick the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D for my CPU, as it's a lot more efficient for gaming and general program use than the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, and other AM4 CPUs. Also with AM5 CPUs and compatible motherboards, the builds are a lot more customisable, so if I ever wanted to change parts later on, it would be a good investment.
Hello there. Here are my thoughts:
The PSU looks good, and I’m assuming the PC Parts Checker has a calculator for PSU power needs if it doesn’t. For PSUs, I’d use this spreadsheet for quick facts and some personal tips (there’s another thread on Google with a different version).
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...pZ...=931697732
Regarding RAM, keep in mind that 32GB is now considered basic for video editing.
For a free video editor, Linux has options like Kdenlive, which works well on Debian-based systems (though it can crash sometimes). You also have DaVinci Resolve, free with a paid version called DaVinci Resolve Studio. It’s more advanced, but I’ve found that having the right tool is better than chasing the latest features. Not everyone uses ProTools with a 64-channel mixer because it doesn’t fit their needs.
As for the operating system, I’m considering CachyOS since it’s Arch Linux-based and Arch is well respected. But I also think it can be a bit complex for beginners. I haven’t installed it yet—just tested it on a USB drive. Arch is rolling release, which means bugs can pop up unexpectedly, but that’s part of the process.
Whichever OS you pick, remember to note the changes you made so you can switch easily later. After some time adjusting the desktop, you’ll feel more comfortable.
I’ve also tried Linux Mint, but I wouldn’t suggest it. It’s tidy and easy to set up, but there are issues that might only become clear after using it.
CachyOS seems modern enough, so I hope they keep improving it. I haven’t deployed it yet, just tested it on a USB.
Arch Linux is also an option, as it’s popular and well-supported. It’s running continuously, which can be both a plus and a downside—bugs can appear without warning.
Whichever you choose, keep track of the tweaks you make. This will help you move smoothly to another OS if needed, and get back up quickly after some time spent customizing your desktop.
I’ve also looked into SSDs for video editing. An NVMe M.2 SSD is ideal, with speeds starting around 3 GB/s for professional 4K work. Opinions differ, but it’s important to match the SSD’s PCIe generation with your motherboard. For example, a Gen 3 board should work with Gen 3 SSDs, but not with very high-end 2TB models. I ended up getting a Gen 3 SSD because finding a Gen 3 one is hard, and the board would only support up to that speed regardless of the SSD type.
Mint forums are worth checking out. They work well once you've set them up yourself. Linux can be tricky with USB devices, though. Also, do you require a proprietary synchronization tool? This is because on my old RX570 regular V sync, etc., the settings performed fine. And I'm not fond of screen tearing.