Question Feedback on (Linux) PC build for image processing / gaming

[nindnarne]

Hi folks,

I am replacing my aging old desktop with something slightly fresher....

Country: UK
Budget: £1200+
Usage: on the demanding side: Darktable (photo editing) and gaming. I note that its for a Linux build (I haven't used Windows at home for decades).

I have a preference for AMD solutions, given open source and things just generally working well.

What I have put together so far is:

Item​	Name​	Price​	Link​
RAM​	Ballistix - DIMM 288-pin​	£139.19​	https://uk.crucial.com/memory/ddr4/bl2k16g36c16u4b​
Power supply​	Artic Blue 850W PSU​	£35.00​	https://www.cclonline.com/product/7...rtic-Blue-850W-ATX-Power-Supply-Unit/PSU0326/​
Cabinet​	be quiet! PURE BASE 500DX Black​	£89.00​	https://www.aquatuning.co.uk/cases-hardware/cases/27904/be-quiet-pure-base-500dx-black​
CPU​	AMD Ryzen 5 5600X​	£290.00​	https://www.scan.co.uk/products/amd...-37ghz-46ghz-turbo-35mb-cache-pcie-40-65w-cpu​
MB​	MSI MPG B550 Gaming PLUS ATX Motherboard​	£140.00​	https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...&ved=0ahUKEwj37NSIgsTsAhWktXEKHcGhA-AQ8wII0QU​
Drive​	Sabrent 1TB Rocket Nvme PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280​	£165.00​	https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sabrent-Internal-Maximum-Performance-SB-ROCKET-NVMe4-1TB/dp/B07TLYWMYW/ref=asc_df_B07TLYWMYW/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310762440393&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7220610067901149877&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006668&hvtargid=pla-783416127304&psc=1#ace-g0979249316

GPU: one of the latest from AMD...when you can actually buy them

I haven't yet put too many thoughts together on keyboard, mouse or monitor but I assume I will target 1440p.

Are the choices above sensible? Better options? Its been years since I did this and I confess I am not entirely up to speed on best options of RAM / MB / storage etc....

Many thanks for any and all thoughts!

Best,

 

[MalVeauX]

I use Linux (VMWare) distros on AMD and its fine. That said, I would be mindful to look into chipset compatability and stuff with B550 with Linux. I'm not sure yet. I'm using x570 chipset and its fine, but I know sometimes there are small issues with various configurations. I would just research Linux running on specific motherboards you're interested in and get the one with the best reports of everything working out of the box basically.

I am curious about your PSU choice. Seems awful inexpensive for an 850W unit. Makes me worry that it's not going to be efficient and likely won't last (and when it goes, it may drag your components down with it).

I'm not sure PCIE4 based NVME SSD is really going to matter yet compared to something PCIE3 speed for your purposes. You could save significantly there and not overpay for throughput potential that you likely won't be using.

Memory is good; remember to get those rated speeds, you'll have to turn on DOCP in Bios for it to detect and run that, your first boot it won't show that overclocked 3600mhz speed.

AMD's 5600XT would be a good card if you want AMD for an ok cost; if you can find one.

Very best,

 

[nindnarne]

Thanks for your feedback!

1. I will check up on the B550 support; I suppose that over at Phoronix there should be some sage advise on this. However so far I don't recall reading any issues wrt compatibility with B550 boards. But will check it out!
2. Good point on the PSU - will see if there are reported failures.
3. PCIE4: might be a fair point, but then again the gadget factor might overrule common sense
4. Good point on the DOCP!

Many thanks,

Carl

 

[richaron]

AFAIK B550 is "close" to being a rebadged B45, so support should be fine. But even if not I thought we were past the days when we worried if major parts were supported in Linux..

 

[Lopoetve]

B550 works well in Linux, did one of those with Ubuntu 20.04 and had no notable issues (IIRC on the distro version). Also done it on x570 - works fine there too. I'll second the PSU choice - sanity check that one. Also agreed on the NVMe, if you don't need the speed or aren't buying for the future.

 

[nindnarne]

Many thanks for all the feedback. I am actually leaving the country for a few months so I will pick up on this again when I am back Hopefully availability of products will improve