Linux AMD computer

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
compewpewter

compewpewter

Reputable
Aug 3, 2015
37
0
4,530
Hi I am going to build a new computer in the near future and planning on using Linux instead of Windows to save money and just curious about Linux.

My build would be an AMD FX-6300 with 16gb ram, r7 260x, and SSD. I did some research and I am thinking about using Linux Mint 17.2 xfce or mate.

Is either of them good for games on steam or league of legends? If not, what would you suggest as a better version of Linux?

Also when a new version of Linux comes out do I have to reinstall Linux all over again or can I just update it?
 
Solution
JQB45
I use Linux Mint 17.2, when I updated from 16.0 to 17.1 it was a reinstall. When I updated from 17.1 to 17.2 all it required was a reboot.
99% of system updates do not require a reboot like you're probably accustomed to in Windows. It saves a remarkable amount of time.

I use Cinnamon because it looks better then XFCE and Mate. The install takes maybe 15 minutes for Linux Mint, then the system updates take another 20-30 minutes and you're ready to go. Linux Mint boots up faster on my laptop then Windows 7 does.

There are some stability issues with Cinnamon, but they rarely bother me and don't typically require a reboot. ALT+CTRL+ESC or ALT+CTRL+Backspace can be used to restart Cinnamon when it becomes unresponsive.

CTRL+ALT+F2...
Sort by date Sort by votes
JQB45

JQB45

Splendid
Jun 23, 2006
3,606
51
24,040
I use Linux Mint 17.2, when I updated from 16.0 to 17.1 it was a reinstall. When I updated from 17.1 to 17.2 all it required was a reboot.
99% of system updates do not require a reboot like you're probably accustomed to in Windows. It saves a remarkable amount of time.

I use Cinnamon because it looks better then XFCE and Mate. The install takes maybe 15 minutes for Linux Mint, then the system updates take another 20-30 minutes and you're ready to go. Linux Mint boots up faster on my laptop then Windows 7 does.

There are some stability issues with Cinnamon, but they rarely bother me and don't typically require a reboot. ALT+CTRL+ESC or ALT+CTRL+Backspace can be used to restart Cinnamon when it becomes unresponsive.

CTRL+ALT+F2 can be used when things go really bad (think of it as CTRL+ALT+DEL), it will give you a console where you login and can then issue a reboot command if needed.

When you get better at linux you can use command line tools like TOP to view running processes and if needed kill processes and cinnamon and you get the GUI back all fresh and new without having to reboot.

Obviously kill is a bad thing to do but sometimes its better then having to reboot.

To use Linux Mint or any Linux you will need to read a lot and get comfortable with the Command Consoles and typing commands.

I have not run across a problem with Mint that I couldn't just google and find the answer to quickly. The most complex thing was setting up my multifunction printer, but if you can follow directions and search effectively online its not a big deal.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
JQB45

JQB45

Splendid
Jun 23, 2006
3,606
51
24,040
Get 8GB of RAM and an NVidia Graphics Card, the NVidia cards work better with Linux then AMD does due to the AMD Driver Quagmire in Linux.
Put simply the AMD Graphics drivers are not as good as the NVidia Graphics Drivers in Linux. This goes for all types and builds of Linux, not just Mint.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
compewpewter

compewpewter

Reputable
Aug 3, 2015
37
0
4,530


Hey thanks for the reply. So is it ok if i use the AMD Fx-6300 processor alongside a NVIDIA gpu? Is cinnamon better for gaming then xfce or mate? I ask this because I would feel better not having to worry about more stability issues then better visuals. Would a GTX 750 TI work well?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Mr5oh

Mr5oh

Splendid
Jul 28, 2004
2,982
27
21,940


I second this. If you do a search you'll find the AMD drivers are far behind Windows drivers in terms of performance. Nvidia cards will work fine, and it's easy to install the official nvidia drivers if you wish.

From a performance standpoint I'd go Intel, but the AMD processor will run fine in Linux, that is not an issue.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
JQB45

JQB45

Splendid
Jun 23, 2006
3,606
51
24,040
Mate is suppose to be more Stable, but you do loose some eye candy. XFCE is down right ugly. You can install more then one Windows Manager and choose when you login which you want to use. So you could for instance have XFCE for stability and Cinnamon for times when better looking is needed. You're not stuck with just one choice with Linux.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
photonboy

photonboy

Titan
Jun 20, 2006
21,567
13
85,015
1) OS - only a handful of games are available on Linux vs Windows.

2) If set on Linux, go with Steam and investigate what Linux games are supported. If they are also available on Windows then if you buy Windows they'll be there in your catalogue to install.

3) AMD CPU - I'd personally go with an i3-4170 Intel CPU instead. Lots of info out there comparing benchmarks.

4) SSD - a 1TB HDD might be a better way to go on a budget. I'd partition that to 200GB C-drive and the rest (about 730GB) as your secondary partition to which I'd put Steam, downloads, media etc (you can CLONE the c-drive to an SSD later if you want)

5) DDR3 memory - agreed on 8GB (2x4GB 1866 or 1600MHz C9). Not quite sure where 16GB came from.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Mr5oh

Mr5oh

Splendid
Jul 28, 2004
2,982
27
21,940


I run Cinnamon on everything at this point, and haven't had any stability problems. Mint has always worked very well for me. Ubuntu is where I started, and it was horribly unstable, with their updates that would routinely break my system. That bumped me over to PCLinuxOS up until they dropped their Gnome version.

XFCE / LXDE and those variants are for hardware that would struggle with a "pretty" desktop GUI. Both are "stripped down" lightweight GUIs. They function fine, but it's been a while since I've come across hardware that isn't fast enough to handle Cinnamon or Mate.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
photonboy

photonboy

Titan
Jun 20, 2006
21,567
13
85,015
How about dual-boot?

a) SteamOS, and
b) whatever Linux distro

I personally have a hard time recommending a completely Linux environment. I'd strongly recommend Windows 10 64-bit Home as the main OS and dual-boot with Linux and dip your toes in the water.

I've used Linux and it's interesting until things go wrong, and if you're a newb they can go horribly wrong. Sure, things are improving all the time but they aren't at the point where I'd recommend people drop Windows even to save a bit of cash.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom