I'm a very long time linux user (I think first install was Mandrake around 1998) but haven't owned a linux PC in well over a decade (use MBPs for work, linux on the cloud and in docker). I also have an older iMac that my kids use, and I dual boot to Windows via bootcamp for the only game I play (Civ V).
With Civ 7 coming out next month the crew I play with want to give it a go, which makes me realize I'll need to upgrade my desktop (or buy a gaming laptop).
I've been looking at the System76 Thelio Mira line but they won't ship until end of Feb according to their website. Trying to find something prebuilt with Linux already on it (I don't care about distro/will likely change it anyway, but want to make sure everything is supported "out of the box"). Preferably under $2000 but I realize it might be difficult esp with an Nvidia card.
Other than playing Civ I'll probably use it for some OSS development and personal projects (including toy deep learning stuff, anything really needing much horsepower would also be in the cloud), as a media center for my house, etc.
Any suggestions for specific machines or vendors to check out? Anything to watch out for? (Because of crossplay I assume I'll have to run Steam in Proton)
I would suggest building a PC with a Ryzen 7800X3D or a 9800X3D if you can find one in stock and an RX 7800 XT GPU.
Prebuilt desktops are really overpriced if you want something high end and there is very little customization available.
7800x3d owner here and just wanted to add a little warning, avoid gigabyte motherboards. they don't play well with linux... and from what I've been reading, they don't really work well with windows either. mainly bios problems, suspend/wake issues...
I second this. OEM machines usually come with weird caveats where they saved money on the PSU or other parts that isn't used in their marketing of the machine.
In my country many online computer stores offer to prebuild your custom pc, offering warranty on the whole build.
Great if you don't have the time to put it together or if you want the warranty offered.
I have the 7800X3D with RX 7800 XT GPU, 32gb DDR5, and there is nothing I had to do, I just installed my distro of choice, Steam, and now I just play everything on maximum settings with no problem, except Flight Simulator 2024, because, you know - M$.
Ughhh that was my fear. Haven't built a desktop in probably 20 years. I definitely worry about the time sink mostly in deciding every component, researching if it'll work with linux, sourcing it, hoping it's authentic, etc. Any recent guides you could recommend if I have to go down that route?
Compatibility for desktop pcs is a whole lot better nowadays. Main thing to check is the motherboard; Bluetooth, WiFi and BIOS updates without windows can be pain areas but even that is getting rarer. Laptops require some more reasearch.
If you're going cutting edge (AMD Ryzen 9800X3D) then you'll need kernel 6.12 or higher.
Here's a Linux review of the 9800X3D - https://www.phoronix.com/review/amd-ryzen-7-9800x3d-linux
The article mentions that it works fine on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, so it shouldn't be an issue unless you're running something older than that.
Ah yeah, this was the line I read a bit too fast:
Pcpartpicker.com has compatibility filters and ratings, which makes picking out all the best parts in the price range a snap.
I usually recommend pcpartpicker.com to pick out the parts themselves. I've used it to build a few computers, and it makes it very easy to decide what you want.
As for Linux compatibility, many things should work right out of the box. I would agree with the other person that mentioned the motherboard being the main thing to watch for. Other than that, Nvidia GPUs would be the only thing I would avoid, just because they don't have drivers directly in the Linux kernel yet. You can install them yourself or use a distro that has them already built in, but it's just one more thing you might need to work through.