Hey everyone! I'm working on a new PC build that I'm planning to run Linux on, but I'm currently limited to WiFi since I can't use ethernet at the moment. I've read that the compatibility of a motherboard's WiFi with Linux isn't always guaranteed, and I think it might depend on the chipset. I want to avoid purchasing a motherboard that won't work with my setup. I know that the Linux Hardware website used to be a good resource, but it seems to be down now. Are there other ways to check which motherboards or WiFi chipsets work well with Linux? Also, would it be a smart idea to just get a separate WiFi dongle instead of relying on the built-in WiFi?
4 Answers
It's good you're doing your research! Can you share which motherboards you've found and what their WiFi chipsets are? Like, are they Atheros, Realtek, Intel, or something else? That can really help narrow things down.
You can definitely check out resources like this link to see if your motherboard has Linux compatibility: [Linux Hardware](https://linux-hardware.org/?id=board:asustek-tuf-gaming-b650m-e-wifi-rev-1-xx). It's a handy tool!
From my experience, Intel WiFi chipsets usually perform the best on Linux. If you're considering an upgrade, that might be the way to go!
You’re definitely being cautious, but honestly, most modern WiFi chipsets work pretty well with Linux. I’d say at least 99% of the time, you won’t run into issues. If there is a feature not functioning, it might not be noticeable. A good practice is to look for an OEM desktop that uses the same chipset. If it’s common in mass-market devices, the chances are it’ll work. Just a heads-up, Intel chipsets tend to be the most reliable—I'd steer clear of Realtek if you can.
Thanks for that! I get a little anxious since someone mentioned on another thread that WiFi chipsets can be finicky with Linux. But I appreciate the reassurance! The motherboard I want is indeed the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-E, using Realtek and Mediatek as mentioned.
I'm looking at the ASUS TUF Gaming B650-E WiFi. It seems to have everything I need, and it's on sale! It uses Realtek for wired and Mediatek mt7922 for WiFi.