Building a decent Linux/SteamOS rig

[Montu]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of choosing components for my new build (first in quite a while), but I feel extremely overwhelmed by all the choices.

So, here are the things I'm decided on:
Purpose: Gaming, Workstation.
Budget: Open.
Overclocking: No or factory.
SLI: No.
4K: Yes.
Moding/Ricing: No.
Storage: 1x 250GB SSD, 1x WD Black 6TB HDD, No RAID*.
GFX: 1x GeForce 980 Ti 6GB DDR5
RAM: 32GB min.
CPU: Intel Core i7
Case: Dust and rust proof (I live near the sea so this matters)
Monitor: Don't need a new one right now.

What I need help with:
Storage: Which SSD?
GFX: Which 980 Ti?
RAM: What kind?
CPU: Which model? (I do a LOT of compiling/processing)
Case: Which? The smaller the better (e.g. microATX), meeting all other requirements is more important though.
Motherboard: No idea what to do here. Has to fit the case, ofc.
Cooling: No idea.
PSU: No idea.
Keyboard: I play FPS games mostly, macros don't matter, backlit doesn't matter, mechanical doesn't matter, build quality does, numpad does.
Mouse: No idea.

Am I forgeting something?

Would appreciate any and all suggestions.

Cheers.

[Weak1ings]

I'd suggest going for an X99 chipset with a good 128GB support motherboard and the i7 5820K(I know this chip doesn't support 128GB) For the price, it's almost silly to go with Haswell and Is silly to go for Skylake when a 6-core 3.3Ghz CPU is there.

[Streetguru]

Hi all,

Decent GNU/Linux gaming rig doesn't exist, your best bet is doing a GPU hardware passthrough to a windows virtual machine for games, and Nvidia apparently tries to block you from doing such with a "code 43" error, when you try to passthrough the GPU, but there's an easy fix

Do you already have a 4k display?

the 980ti generally isn't worth getting, what software? do you really need CUDA?

Mostly what budget what country?

[Nena Trinity]

You better stick to 1440p on Linux based OSs... >.< 

 

BECAUSE AMD AND NVIDIA HAVE THEIR HEADS IN THEIR ASSES!!!

[Montu]

Decent GNU/Linux gaming rig doesn't exist.

The thing is, I'd only (re-)started gaming to support Linux as a gaming platform (been a Linux user for well over 10 years), but then I sorta got sucked into the game, and that is when I discovered that my current system is not quite up to the task, because it was bought with power, not gaming, in mind. I'm already in the final stages of repurposing it into a powerful entertainment hub/media center (got it an mSATA SSD, a DVB set, a Steam controller, and hooked it to the TV), but I digress. My point is, all my favourite titles are already Linux-native (e.g. 7 Days to Die, CS:GO, TF2, DiRT Showdown, etc..), I'm just attempting to future-proof my workstation for the growing list of native Linux/SteamOS titles, so I don't feel impotent when surprise releases (like Dying Light) happen. But I really have little to no interest in Windows gaming. 

 

 

your best bet is doing a GPU hardware passthrough to a windows virtual machine for games, and Nvidia apparently tries to block you from doing such with a "code 43" error, when you try to passthrough the GPU, but there's an easy fix

 

I do intend to use GPU passthrough, but only as an evolution of my current gaming habits, not as prime purpose of this build.

 

 

Do you already have a 4k display?

 

No, and I have no place on my desk for a new monitor right now, but I do want my system to be 4K-ready.

 

 

the 980ti generally isn't worth getting, what software? do you really need CUDA?

 

I was just going for the most powerful Nvidia GPU out there, without going overboard with a Titan. I'm still open to suggestions though. Being an Nvidia card is the only prerequisite, besides power.

 

 

 

Mostly what budget what country?

 

Egypt (http://www.egprices.com/en/category/computers ),but I have an easy access to international shipping, with the only exceptions may be the case, because shipping it would probably cost more than its retail price. Budget is open as mentioned in the OP.

 

Cheers.

[Inception9269]

Decent GNU/Linux gaming rig doesn't exist

 

This here. If anything you should get windows 8.1 or 10 as your main OS and then make a second partition on your ssd to do a dual boot for linux. Windows is going to have much better compatibility for gaming and other programs. Not to mention if you're going to go with SteamOS as your OS, that is a terrible idea and a complete waste of money and equipment, especially considering games which "support" SteamOS have terrible frame rates and run like shit.

[Montu]

People, I'm here to get hardware advice.

 

 

Cheers.

[Streetguru]

The thing is, I'd only (re-)started gaming to support Linux as a gaming platform (been a Linux user for well over 10 years), but then I sorta got sucked into the game, and that is when I discovered

Well as far as gaming and performance per dollar is concerned you're better off with a mid range AMD card and a free-sync display over a 980 ti

 

or buy a solid 4k display first, no reason to waste money on any high end GPU before you have a display that can actually utilize it.

[Montu]

Well, the point is future-proofing, I don't want to buy mid-range now, then need to upgrade within a year. because I got into 4K. Also, AMD cards are much less supported on Linux, so they are not an option.

[Montu]

You convinced me to buy a gaming laptop (again).

 

Thanks for nothing guys.

[Streetguru]

You convinced me to buy a gaming laptop (again).

must have missed your last post, but future proofing isn't really real, and as far as AMD's linux support goes as soon as vulkan drops AMD is looking to gain a decent advantage over nvidia as it's using parts of mantle like how DX12 is, and nvidia cards have issues with asynchronous compute, also isn't like everyone terrible with linux basically? 

But again, you can't exactly game on linux very well still.

 

and you'd only be losing a lot of performance per dollar going with a laptop. but if you truly want a desktop replacement laptop you'll have to look to Eurocom

 

or something like this which has a desktop i7 in it

https://www.originpc.com/gaming/laptops/eon17-x/

[drc00k3]

CPU: Which model? (I do a LOT of compiling/processing)

 

What are you compiling?

[Montu]

future proofing isn't really real

Well, as long as you're realistic about it, it sorta is.

 

and as far as AMD's linux support goes as soon as vulkan drops AMD is looking to gain a decent advantage over nvidia as it's using parts of mantle like how DX12 is, and nvidia cards have issues with asynchronous compute

I'm not holding my breath, AMD had always promised better support for Linux, but they never delivered, their next step is to opensoure their drivers, which is probably their best and only shot to beat Nvidia at Linux support, as they seem to lack in-house talent.

 

also isn't like everyone terrible with linux basically?

Not exactly, Nvidia proprietary drivers have been on bar with their Windows' drivers for quite a while, though their open drivers are even worse than AMD's, so everyone is terrible in their own way. Also, as Linux gaming gains more steam, companies are racing to dominate that niche.

 

But again, you can't exactly game on linux very well still.

I can, and I do.

 

and you'd only be losing a lot of performance per dollar going with a laptop.

About that, I'm not so sure actually, the thing is, if I bought local, I'd probably pay about the same (or even save a little) by going mobile, because Laptops are less taxed than high-end computer components here (aprox. 8EGP/USD vs 10EGP/USD, i.e. 20% cheaper), and since I'm not planning to OC, or upgrade soon (if that's even viable, with Pascal, Skylake and other new architectures set to take over within the next year), I don't see a point in switching to desktop at this very moment. Maybe in the near future, when the dust had settled on all the new technologies coming out in 2016-2018. Also, I'm pretty good at repurposing old laptops once they become obsolete, I have no idea what to do with the big hunks of metal that are desktop towers.

 

but if you truly want a desktop replacement laptop you'll have to look to Eurocom

or something like this which has a desktop i7 in it

https://www.originpc.com/gaming/laptops/eon17-x/

I've checked out several "custom" gaming laptops (here, here and here), and I still don't see the point. First of all, they all seem to be clones of each other, or some better known brands, and their prices don't really make sense, unless you really want to support the small-time manufacturers. Could you please tell me what advantages they have over, say this MSI Dominator Pro? (27800EGP~=3500USD)

 

What are you compiling?

I'm a developer, and I also use a non-binary Linux distribution, so my CPUs are busy pretty much 24/7.

[Streetguru]

Well, as long as you're realistic about it, it sorta is.

Like anything you buy now is going to be outdated in 2 years or so, usable sure, especially if it's a high end part, but still outdated comparatively. Well aside from a nice case

So long as the laptop has the desktop CPU you're set for desktop replacement, if it costs about the same well, might as well go for the laptop in that case.