I'm looking to build a work computer using Linux, and I'm curious about hardware recommendations. Linux is known to use fewer resources compared to other operating systems, but I've had some issues with drivers, especially on my ASUS laptop where even Ubuntu can be unstable at times. I'm interested in your principles for building a Linux workstation. What proven, cost-effective solutions can you suggest? I think I'd need at least 64GB of RAM. Any suggestions would be awesome, especially for software development!
3 Answers
Your requirements will largely dictate the specs. Personally, I get by just fine using an Intel N100 for my work. It really comes down to what tasks you need to accomplish—what exactly are you planning to do with this machine?
Stay away from Nvidia! Just from my experience, they’re not the best with Linux. But someone did mention that if you're using HDMI, Nvidia actually has better support. So it might depend on what kind of connections you use.
It really depends on your specific needs, but I’d recommend building a PC from scratch as it’s usually cheaper in the long run and easier to upgrade later. Since you mentioned you don’t need a GPU, that can save a ton on costs. I’ve had good luck with AMD parts. My ASUS hardware runs just fine, but laptops are trickier because of things like power-saving modes and unique hardware quirks.
True, HDMI support is generally better with Nvidia, but if you’re on DisplayPort, you might want to look elsewhere.