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AMD CPU Use Among Linux Gamers Approaching 70% Marketshare
(www.phoronix.com)
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this post was submitted on 09 Jul 2023
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Is there anything that makes AMD CPU’s the preferred choice over Intel CPU’s, when running Linux? I was of the understanding that compatibility was quite smoothed out at this point at the CPU/motherboard level and that there wouldn’t be any particular preference in that respect.
I myself have had both Intel CPU’s back in the Sandy Bridge days and then AMD CPU’s since Zen - both worked equally well for Linux in my experience.
I can't speak for anyone but myself but I recently built a new PC for myself with an AMD Ryzen 7950X. When I was doing research I looked at loads of benchmarks and prices of both AMD and Intel chips and ultimately chose AMD because it offered the best value. Especially when you factor in the power costs over time (eco mode is very impressive and yes, I do run with eco mode enabled).
I'd imagine most folks who build their own PCs go through the same sort of obsessive process, haha.
There's no major issues with either AMD or Intel CPUs on Linux these days so that's not really a factor. I did go the extra mile though to double check that the 2.5GB Ethernet and Wifi chips in the motherboard I chose had excellent Linux support. I also made sure that updating the motherboard BIOS didn't require Windows-only software (turned down one motherboard because of reports of Linux users having bad experiences there).
I like the eco option too! Zen CPUs are quite effective at slightly lower clocks than what gives the utmost of performance, which is neat when an energy crisis hits. Is that why you bought a 7950X, and then chose to make use of the eco option? So that you at a later point could turn up the performance (given an acceptable trade off with energy at that time)?
I’d also guess a lot of people like that somewhat obsessive but exciting feeling when researching new gear (be it hardware or otherwise)! Choosing the right stuff for you - with options and capabilities - is a fun exercise in optimisation. At least that’s how I think of it.
Yeah i get that about support and ability to update firmware; and it’s actually what I was interested in learning when I asked with regards to the Intel/AMD debacle. But it’s more regarding the other components in the setup that would affect the experience, right? Do you run a Linux distribution daily, or was it simply required that it should be able to someday?
I myself have used Ubuntu for years, and finally got my better half to let me install it (though it was Kubuntu for both of us at that time). It actually worked quite well, until we got to gaming Hogwarts Legacy… that didn’t quite agree with our setups. On one (5600X+6950) it was sadly only fixed when I switched it to Windows. The other one was also switched to Windows (😓) but it didn’t fix the problem - after a lot of tries and increasing frustration, I tried turning off SMT. And it worked… entirely. That is a 1800X+6950.
I’d really like to go back to Kubuntu (or Neon), but it would have to be a sure solution as I have just started a job and the free time is limited now. I tried lots of debugging measures, including trying to increase the memory maps (I think - please correct me if I’m wrong) to rather large number, as others said it was defined to on the Steam Deck. Also I tried SAM both on/off without luck. So, Windows it is for now, but I lurk in these sections on any input for gaming on Linux, hoping 😅
as another comment said, it’s probably the steam deck contributing to the amd numbers. i don’t think intel is any worse compared to amd on the cpu side of things.
Right, good to have that confirmed by others 👍
I am generally supportive of the “underdog”, so at least for now I am choosing AMD parts (disclaimer: subject to change - or at least continuous reconsideration)
It's the AMD GPUs that are much better performing on linux than NVidia. My primary reason for choosing an AMD CPU was bangs for bucks.