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Prioritise RAM or processor? (lemmygrad.ml)

submitted 2 years ago by redtea@lemmygrad.ml to c/leftistunix@lemmygrad.ml

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Hello Comrades,

Thanks for all your advice about setting up Linux. It was a success. The problem is that I’m now I’m intrigued and I’d like to play around a bit more.

I’m thinking of building a cheap-ish computer but I have a few questions. I’ll split them into separate posts to make things easier. Note: I won’t be installing anything that I can’t get to work on Linux.

Should I prioritise RAM or the processor? My budget is limited so I will have to make a choice between RAM and the processor. Would it be better to go for e.g. 32GB RAM and a slower processor, or 8GB RAM and a faster processor? Or is balance better? Say, 16GB RAM and a 'medium' processor (that's 'medium' between the 'slower' and the 'faster' option within my budget, not 'medium' for the market).

Intel or AMD?

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[–] redtea@lemmygrad.ml 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Mainly typing (mainly essays), reading (and annotating) PDFs and ebooks, and browsing the internet and streaming (YouTube, Netflix). Occasionally, I use Excel/Google Sheets. I won't be using AI. I might use wine if it's needed to play some games. Otherwise, I won't be using any virtual machines as I'll be avoiding Microsoft programs. I don't edit videos or graphics or make music. I might download videos or music. I might use GIMP occasionally but just for fun, not for work.

I wouldn't describe myself as a power user but I do like a snappy computer as I tend to need lots of documents/websites open for reference.

If it doesn't make the price skyrocket, I wouldn't mind playing some games. Nothing AAA, though, I don't think. I'd like to try HOI4 and Victoria 3. If it was legal I would consider using an emulator to play some Pokemon.

Lower power consumption would be preferred but I want/need a snappy computer, really. I can't be dealing with lag. I think processor-wise, it'd need to be at least as fast as OSX runs on an Intel i5 processor and 8GB ram. Windows running on an i3 with 8GB ram is a little too slow for me as it holds me up when I need to work fast. I'm imagining that some Linux distros on an i3 would run as quickly as OSX on an i5 because of how much lighter the OS is. (Feel free to tell me that's a misguided assumption!)

[–] rostselmasch@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 2 years ago

Simply take 16GB RAM and an i5 gen8 or Ryzen 3600X. Dont forget to buy a NVMe and you should be fine