New Computer Build

[daniell59]

I am in the process of building a new computer. I was thinking of AMD Ryzen with integrated graphics. I have not decided which motherboard. I am having difficulty in learning whether the chosen components will support Linux. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[Autodave]

The Ryzen is not a problem. However, some Ryzens do not have onboard graphics.....make sure before you buy!

[TheFu]

The older Ryzens that end in 'g' in the name 1xxxg and 2xxxg models should all work fine with graphics drivers. I haven't kept up with the 3xxxg series to know if any issues with GPU drivers exist or not. Probably fine by now, but do your own checking.

As for which motherboard to choose, certain vendors will ignore any Linux questions, so their support would be non-existent. Whether a vendor refuses to support Linux customers or not **is** a key differentiator in my mind. I have a Ryzen 2600 with an Asus B450 motherboard that uses an Intel I211 GigE NIC, so I don't have to fight with funky, broken, driver issues. To me, the $20 extra for Intel NICs is worth avoiding hassles. Plus the Intel GigE NICs are more efficient with offloading network workloads to the NIC chips.

Other peripherals would each need vetting for Linux compatibility. Well-known, name brand, disks, SSDs, all work. 2nd-teir brands can be hit-miss. For scanners, printers, it is always hit-miss. Wifi is always miss-hit ... with more hassles than it is worth, IMHO.

[Skaperen]

i've always chosen vendors that are explicit about supporting Linux, when buying for companies i worked for. that was always 100% success. for my own personal stuff, back when i liked to build, i would spend a lot of time researching my selections and/or buy from the vendors that are explicit about supporting Linux. everything was always compatible. i did have to take a board back once that was dead (not even a beep out of it). they took my word for it and handed me a replacement in a new box (it worked).

[daniell59]

I am currently using an Epson Scanner Perfection V30. I am satisfied with it. There is a problem however. It wont work on Ubuntu later than 16.04. When contacting the company, they replied by saying that they don't support Linux.

[TheFu]

I am currently using an Epson Scanner Perfection V30. I am satisfied with it. There is a problem however. It wont work on Ubuntu later than 16.04. When contacting the company, they replied by saying that they don't support Linux.

Yep. Epson is on my "avoid" list. I gave an Epson inkjet away in the early 2000s.

BTW, Seems Ryzen 3000 had an issue so be certain you get any firmware updates available. BIOS updates are important BEFORE a new install.

[oldfred]

New Ryzen 3000 systems must have UEFI update from vendor that includes AMD's update.
AMD UEFI/BIOS update for Ryzen 3000 series
https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pa...OS-Update-Good
ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR VIII HERO WiFi - update supports Ubuntu 19.04
MSI has also put out BIOS updates last week as a "beta" though without explicitly acknowledging the Linux fix.
Asus ROG Strix B450 E motherboard UEFI update worked
https://askubuntu.com/questions/1174...960921_1174679

[daniell59]

I am now looking for a Ryzen compatible MB. I want one that will support 3rd generation Ryzen without a BIOS update. Two years ago it was a nightmare building my wife's computer. I was told that it was compatible with the 2nd generation Ryzen. It took 3 boards to finally have a working computer.

[mastablasta]

can new BIOS be updated, if you don't have windows?
i really miss a list of well supported desktop motherboards or at least vendors that offer support.

been thinking of getting a PC for the kids, but officially it's either pre-built business/pro intel based desktops or a few laptops (again mostly intel only). officially.
but to build one yourself you would need to know the motherboard compatibility (since now motherboards have network chips and audio chips. the rest is standard drivers and should work.

i wonder whta th esupport for ITX baords is. i was thinking of getting smaller box if i go with desktop.

[oldfred]

I have not had an issue updating UEFI on my Asus or Gigabyte motherboards. They directly read from within UEFI an update file from a FAT32 formatted partition. I use my ESP, since it is FAT32.
Many have three ways, Windows, DOS bootable flash drive, and directly from within UEFI reading a FAT32 partition for update file.

Now some systems support direct update from Linux.
Devices using LVFS for firmware updates
https://fwupd.org/lvfs/devicelist
https://fwupd.org/vendorlist

This is now an old build, so most parts either are not available or expensive. Newer parts would be cheaper.
oldfred's new SFF system with skylake i5-6500 and 16.04
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...4#post13449024
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8QKkCJ