Linus Torvalds and Linus Sebastian from Linus Tech Tips Built the Ideal PC for Linux

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Linux creator Linus Torvalds recently teamed up with Linus Sebastian of Linus Tech Tips to build the ultimate Linux PC. In an hour-long video, the two tech icons collaborated on the build, discussing everything from component choices to kernel development and Torvalds' personal hobbies.

The Build Specifications

To create a powerful and stable workstation, they selected the following components:

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X (24 cores, 48 threads)
  • RAM: 64GB Kingston DDR5 (4 x 16GB ECC)
  • GPU: Intel Arc B580
  • Motherboard: GIGABYTE TRX50 AERO D
  • Storage: Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB SSD
  • Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S TR5-SP6
  • PSU: Seasonic PRIME TX-1600 1600W 80+ Titanium
  • Case: Fractal Design Torrent E-ATX
  • Monitor: 31.5-inch Asus ProArt PA32QCV (6K HDR)

Philosophy Behind the Parts

While Sebastian handled the physical assembly, Torvalds guided the selection process based on his key principles: stability and out-of-the-box compatibility.

The hardware was chosen for seamless operation with the vanilla Linux kernel's stock drivers. Torvalds' preferences for a quiet air cooler and reliable ECC memory heavily influenced the final parts list.

A notable choice was the Intel Arc B580 GPU, a departure from the more common AMD Radeon cards often seen in high-end Linux builds. This selection underscores a focus on ensuring broad, stable hardware support directly within the kernel.

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A Minor Hiccup

The build wasn't without a small challenge. During the first boot, an unusual noise led them to discover a disconnected fan. After a quick fix under the desk, the system started up perfectly, recognizing all 64GB of RAM and suggesting the activation of an XMP profile.

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Torvalds' Hardware Journey

This build continues Torvalds' recent trend in hardware preferences. In 2020, he famously upgraded his main workstation to an AMD Threadripper 3970X after 15 years with Intel. In 2022, he also shared an experience with an ECC memory failure on that same machine, highlighting the real-world challenges of sourcing and maintaining high-reliability consumer hardware.

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