this post was submitted on 28 Jul 2023
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Prioritise RAM or processor? (lemmygrad.ml)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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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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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (4 children)

I think if you go with a slower processor it will limit you on options to upgrade RAM later, if needed to. If you don't actually do some hardcore stuff on your computer, I would go with medium option and 16GB of RAM. 32GB sounds excessive to me (well, considering you don't do the suff that needs too much RAM).

Intel and AMD both work really well under Linux, but I would go for Intel.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

It depends on what is meant by slower CPU. If you can, I would go with current gen staff anyway, and then it doesn't matter. You can upgrade no matter which CPU you choose. The only factor is a number of channels your CPU have (which will almost always be 2), what generation of DDR it supports (current gen is DDR5 but if you go for older it will be cheaper DDR4) and how many DIMM slots your motherboard have.

Also, AMD is almost always better value with lower power consumption, with some exception in some rare use cases.

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