On Fri, May 30, 2025 at 02:18:06AM -0700, David Christensen wrote:
On 5/29/25 11:13, Russell L. Harris wrote:
Should I purchase a used computer with AMD RX550 video?
The only reliable method I have found for determining if a specific
version of a specific FOSS OS works on a specific computer with
specific hardware is to test. Perhaps you could take Debian Live
media to Blair and test before purchase?
Regrettably, no. Blair is in Kentucky; I am in Texas.
Back in the day, I had problems with FOSS OS's on computers with
discreet graphics and/or non-Intel integrated graphics. My solution
since then has been to buy computers with Intel processors and Intel
integrated graphics. This strategy works, so long as the hardware has
been out long enough for the Intel open-source reference code to be
included in Debian Stable.
I suggest getting a PC with ECC memory. Memory has become so large
now that the bit error rate is something to worry about. I consider
ECC memory to be required for ZFS.
My daily driver for several months last year was a Dell Precision 3630
with a Xeon E-2174G processor, integrated Intel UHD Graphics P630, 2 @
16 GB ECC memory modules, and 2.5" SATA SSD. The computer was very
responsive and had more than enough power for my needs.
However, the small tower cases used by Dell for their entry-level
workstations and servers have marginal cooling if you populate the
expansion slots and/or internal 3.5" drive bays. When I installed
HDD's in the two bottom drive bays of the Precision 3630, I also added
a Dell front fan and bracket. I do not see an obvious way to add
cooling for the one remaining drive bay (front).
If the computer is going to have graphic cards, sound cards, network
cards, PCIe drive cards, disk drives, etc., it would be better to
start with a full tower case, vibration isolated internal drive bays,
sound absorbing liner, big power supply, large fans, and suitable
motherboard/ CPU/ memory. This is how I built my SOHO servers.
David
Thanks, David, but way beyond my budget.
I ended up ordering from Blair a HP tower. Under $250 (free
shipping), but it is newer and likely much better than anything I
currently am running (Several hand-me-down Dell machines; some
very reliable, others troublesome).
EMacs & LaTeX with Debian do not require much, so my only real concern
is reliability.
https://blairtech.com/hp-z420-workstation-pc-intel-xeon-e5-1650-6-core-3-2-ghz-nvidia-quadro-k2000-16gb-ddr3-ram-256gb-ssd-1tb-hdd-windows-10-professional-wifi-bluetooth/
RLH
