Hello all! I want to build a gaming/productivity pc for around $1,600! But I need the components to be fully compatible with Linux. I will be using Ubuntu for my OS. Thanks!
There isn't a single piece of computer hardware that is not compatible with linux.
I guess the main things are:
- nVidia is just annoying in linux, you don't get to enjoy it because since about 2012 nVidia decided to boycott linux, so you need to manually compile your kernel modules every two weeks because they're screwed with every kernel update. And not only that, you also get a lot less performance in linux from nVidia cards, especially if you want a stable system with the nouveau drivers;
- since you'll be using Ubuntu, it's not going to be a real problem for you because it doesn't use a real MAC system, but if you want to use a distro with SELinux or Tomoyo, be aware that all proprietary graphics drivers for the moment require a ballpark exemption from the MAC, making the MAC effectively futile. AMD has announced that they want to use full open source kernel modules, which would remedy that problem, but they aren't out yet. nVidia will never release open source kernel modules. As to open source drivers, Intel only has open source drivers, and AMD has pretty good open source drivers (they fund the open source linux driver development, it's pretty much just one single dev working on them, but they steadily progress and you get pretty good performance and a pretty good feature set out of them), and with those drivers this is also not a problem because they're KMS drivers that don't require binary blobs in your kernel.
- A thing to note is that you should be careful of buying hardware that comes with proprietary drivers that are subject to the US export limitations. This is mainly a problem for some Wi-Fi adapters, including some Wi-Fi enabled printers. It's also a problem for some linux distros (e.g. Fedora) that subject to those export limitations voluntarily, which is the stupidest thing ever because it's open source, but then the export limitations themselves are stupid. The problem is not so much that you won't be able to take your computer on a trip to Cuba, Iran, Syria or other countries on the US embargo list, but that you won't be able to use your computer to program a quad-copter for instance, because the software that is subject to the export limitations, is also prohibited for anything to do with unmanned aerial vehicles. So if you get a Wi-Fi card or Wi-Fi printer, take a look at the drivers. This is of course only for people that set foot in the US. It's ridiculous to a point where there's no word for it any more, but you don't want to find yourself locked up in some NSA waterboarding hole because you've programmed your toy with your computer, and the law is the law.
- The main thing to note is that it's futile to pay extra for "gaming" peripherals that are only provided with Windows (and/or OSX) application software. Logitech products for instance always work with Linux (like dpi switching on mice, volume and media keys on keyboards, USB audio products), even though they don't provide linux application software, and the build quality is pretty good, but things like Razer peripherals or Asus sound cards don't make any sense on a Linux machine, because the software controlled functionality doesn't work in Linux, and there is no benefit at all. For audio products, the general rule of thumb is that Dolby Surround doesn't work when it's software decoded. If you want surround in linux, use the linux standard software with any class compliant audio hardware (no need to pay extra for surround hardware), or use the older Creative audio hardware and the things based thereon, as the DSP chips used in these devices are fully integrated in linux (the Creative source code was leaked at some point, and instead of pressing charges, Creative decided to officially publish the code instead to make it "kinda" open source). The newer SBPro/SBX Creative devices are not open source supported any more though.
Most Ralink wifi adapters are "free" hardware right? They will most likely work in Linux?