How to buy a good computer to run Linux

Buying a new computer is a very interesting process for those who like technology and keep up with the industry. But for anyone else, this is a tense moment, after all, a good deal of the budget that will be invested and the goal is always to use the financial resource to the best of our ability.

If you are planning to buy a new computer and don't know where to start your review, read this article and find out what you can't ignore.

Linux computer

Buying a computer for use with Linux is no different from buying a computer for use with Windows, but there are some interesting features that we will discuss throughout the article.

Let's start with an overview.

What to do on the computer

This is the first question that should be asked when buying a new computer. If the device is for light text editing, social networking and basic Netflix sections on the weekends, then an input device will most likely deliver everything you need.

If you are looking to play, run video and photo editing programs, and 3D modeling, that is, do computer-intensive tasks, then it is best to choose a model with a more advanced processor and video card. But also, no need to overdo it: know that today, the most powerful computer runs 93 quadrillions of data per second. Not for that much! (And it even runs Linux). It is important to mention that not all games require so much from the computer. Online games, for example, usually run well on more basic models, these card games and casinos, which also offer welcome bonuses, so you can use your new machine to play without worrying so much about the financial issue.

The big secret is understanding the purpose of the computer you are looking for, this will provide situations where you will make better choices.

The important thing is to choose the computer well, so let's see the most critical elements of a PC.

Get to know the basic elements that make up your PC

Knowing what goes inside your computer may be exactly what is missing to ensure your money is well invested. Thus, you avoid falling for marketing gimmicks and salesman talk. For many people, a computer is not so different from a Smartphone, where you buy a "closed package" without much possibility of changes, and to tell the truth, depending on the model you choose this unfortunately can also happen, but in the world of PCs you can choose in greater detail what will be part of your machine.

Let's understand the basics:

Processor

This is the brain of your machine and therefore the right choice of the essential component to achieve the expected performance. If your computer is for simpler tasks like word processing, small spreadsheet editing and movie streaming, then opt for an Intel i3 processor or AMD Ryzen 3. They are powerful enough for that and will probably even go a little further than expected. I recommend going below this only if you know that your need will be met even by giving up some things.

If you qualify as a power user ie you will work with multiple programs at the same time and eventually consider playing or working with something a bit heavier then stick with Intel i5 or Ryzen 5 processors from AMD.

Core i7, i9 and Ryzen 7 are generally suitable for those who are sure they need all the power offered by the chips. The highest investment in these cases, but the performance also does not leave the user on hand. I currently use a Ryzen 7 1700 (first generation) on the channel editing computer, it is very good and for most tasks it is left over, but when required it responds very well. I even venture to say that unless you really need it, the rare thing to see, an i9 or an AMD Threadripper is completely unnecessary.

RAM memory

This simple item: opt for at least 8GB of DDR4 memory. If your computer is really for very basic tasks and your budget is too tight, 4GB may be adequate, just don't expect cloud performance from these machines. If you have money to invest and want to open dozens of tabs in Chrome, then you can go for 16GB of RAM, surely your money is being used well, plus always keep to the minimum requirements of the heaviest RAM software you plan to run on. machine and try to add extra consumption based on the other software you will run on your computer, this will make you have a safer choice

Storage

Now the choice depends a lot on your habits, formerly having a multi-terabyte hard drive was important for movie and series storage. But with the advent of Netflix and other streaming sites this is becoming less relevant.

The tip: opt for performance, if you can get a solid-state drive (SSD), and while capacity is reduced (compared to a hard drive of the same value), the time to turn on your computer and open programs will be infinitely shorter. . If you really can't handle a series of games, movies and programs on your PC, then you come from an SSD + HD combo. Install the operating system on the SSD and leave the hard drive for storage.

If actually having storage space is much more important than performance, then just consider traditional HDDs.

Video card

This is important for those who want to play PC games and also for those looking to use the PC with specific video editing or 3D modeling programs. Overall, the choice depends much more on expected performance and, for the vast majority of casual gamers, a video card like the Nvidia GTX 1060 is enough. But there are slightly less powerful options that may suit, depending on the type of game and the resolution. Just as there are much more powerful (and expensive) cards that may be the desire of more demanding gamers.

And with that we end up summarizing the four most important components for computer performance. Of course, if you are buying piece by piece it is essential to pay attention to the details of your setup. Your motherboard me, for example, need to be compatible with your processor. Your power supply must provide sufficient power for the various equipment connected to it. It's important to think about the cooling issue as well. But if you're excited to assemble the whole PC piece by piece, then this research will just be another pleasurable step in the process.

If you are looking for Notebooks / Laptops specifically, this video will cover all the information you need:

Particularities of using a Linux computer

In terms of a traditional desktop there are virtually no restrictions, it is even difficult to cite anything, in terms of notebooks, for example, there are some observations.

In the case of Laptops, or Notebooks (as we call it here in Brazil), computers that have dedicated and hybrid video cards, having for example the combination of Intel + NVIDIA, are often problematic in the sense of exchanging these graphics.

You can use yes, the full power of your Nvidia cards in these hybrid configurations, however, usually battery optimization is not as efficient and, unlike Windows, usually not the option to change the use of one card or another in a way. yet integrated, some distros like Pop! _OS, Ubuntu and Linux Mint often bring minimally decent support for it.

You may notice that there are also some brands that already sell Linux computers, such as Dell, this will ensure even better support. We have here a blog section of offers and products with Linux, in addition to finding discounts you can help maintain the site, take a look.

It should be noted that there are distros that have ultra light interfaces and can help in more modest hardware computers such as XFCE (Xubuntu, Mint XFCE, Manjaro XFCE, etc.) and it should be noted that when you buy a Windows computer, theoretically you can Request a refund if you are not using it, recovering from $ 200 to $ 500 usually, just be aware of not accepting the license terms.

See you next time and good shopping!

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