Hey everyone! I'm building my first custom PC and I'm excited to jump into productivity software like Blender for 3D modeling and video editing, with some gaming on the side. I'm considering switching to Linux for a fresh start, but I want to make sure I choose the right GPU for both Linux compatibility and performance in Blender.
From what I've gathered, AMD Radeon works fairly well on Linux but doesn't perform as well in Blender. Nvidia GPUs, while great for Blender, have had some driver issues on Linux, although I've heard the latest drivers have improved. There's also Intel Arc, but since it's relatively new, the reviews are still rolling in.
I'm looking for a GPU that won't compromise my productivity but fits within my budget. Here are my budget options:
- NVIDIA RTX3060 12GB
- Intel Arc B580 12GB
- Intel Arc A770 16GB
- AMD Radeon RX7600XT 16GB
- Radeon RX6800XT 16GB (used)
And if I stretch my budget a bit, I could consider:
- RTX3080 10GB (Used)
- Radeon RX7700XT 16GB
- RTX5060ti 16GB
For context, here are my other specs:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
- Motherboard: MSI B650M GAMING PLUS WIFI
- RAM: Kingston FURY Beast 32GB 6000mhz
- Power supply: 1st Player NGDP 80+ GOLD 750w
Any thoughts or suggestions on which GPU would be the best fit? Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
Honestly, if you're serious about productivity in Blender, you're better off with Windows at this point. I've tried using Blender on Linux, and the experience wasn't as smooth due to driver support. Windows has more robust GPU support and less hassle with driver issues. Maybe consider dual-booting? Stick to Windows for your main work and allocate some time for Linux on the side to get the hang of it.
In terms of Linux compatibility, AMD traditionally shines brighter. On the other hand, if Blender is your main software, you might find Nvidia's performance hard to beat. It's true they've had driver issues, but things have gotten much better with newer cards and updates. If you have a recent Nvidia card and you're using a current distro, you should be fine. In a nutshell, if Blender's your priority, Nvidia's likely your best choice!
If you're focused on Blender, you'll probably want to lean towards Nvidia GPUs. They dominate in performance due to their strong CUDA support, which Blender relies heavily on. AMD cards can work on Linux, but their performance in Blender isn't as polished yet. Just be aware that while Nvidia's drivers on Linux have improved, they still require some attention due to ongoing issues with upstreaming. Overall, if Blender is your main focus, Nvidia might be the safest bet for you.
Thanks for the input! I might give dual-booting a shot to get a feel for both OSes without fully committing to one just yet.