Attempting a Thunderbolt Linux PC

[CptKrf]

I am about to start building a new Debian box, but with significant advance in the displays. (I hope). Not talking about a gaming screamer, just a midrange CPU for programming. (Really clear text required.) I have a pair of surplus Apple Studio Displays that are vastly superior to the other 4k's that I have on my main desktop. (Well, vastly superior as long as they are hooked to a Mac).

There are supported TB drivers for Linux now, although unknown to me as to their usability. A Thunderbolt 3/4 GPU will be needed, either on Motherboard or separate.

I favor AMD as I find it more supportive of Linux, but Thunderbolt is an Intel invention. So, would an Intel motherboard and CPU have a greater chance of working? Fortunately, my searches have come up with two solid answers. Yes and No. Does an Apple monitor have the slightest chance of working with Linux. Again, I get firm search answers but with an addition. Yes, No, Maybe.

As a whim, I asked ChatGPT what it would recommend and surprisingly got a detailed answer. Partial part of the answer...

AMD-Based Motherboards:
1. ASUS Pro WS X570-ACE – Supports Linux well, but requires a separate Thunderbolt 3/4 add-in card.
2. Gigabyte B550 Vision D – Has built-in Thunderbolt 3 and good Linux support.
3. ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming-ITX/TB3 – A Mini-ITX board with Thunderbolt 3 and good Linux support.

Intel-Based Motherboards:
1. ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WiFi – Thunderbolt 4, great Linux compatibility, and good I/O options.
2. Gigabyte Z790 AERO G – Works with Linux, has Thunderbolt 4 via an add-in card.
3. ASRock Z690 PG Velocita – Requires an add-in Thunderbolt card but has solid Linux support.

What to Consider:
• Kernel Support: Newer motherboards may need an updated Linux kernel for full Thunderbolt functionality.
• Thunderbolt BIOS Settings: Make sure the BIOS supports Thunderbolt security levels and PCIe tunneling.
• Drivers: Intel-based boards tend to have better native Thunderbolt support in Linux.

Of course, anybody with any knowledge of AI accuracy would never whip out a credit card without really, really, giving examination to the above recommendations.

I haven't started acquiring hardware yet, beyond finding an ATX case, but would welcome any ideas or actual experiences.

Thanks all.

 

[gvisoc]

I am about to start building a new Debian box, but with significant advance in the displays. (I hope). Not talking about a gaming screamer, just a midrange CPU for programming

For this use case, a semi-recent ThinkPad will work perfectly. ThinkPad T490 work amazingly with Debian and support Tunderbolt 3 OOtB

If you need it to be a desktop computer, I think the seamless way would be to go with Intel, but as I never have tried any of the below, take this with a pinch cup of salt

I'd put most of the focus on the specs of the PCIe lanes. As a rule of thumb and despite they are independent specifications, PCIe, Thunderbolt and USB gen numbers usually go hand by hand (PCIe 3 -> TB 3 and USB 3, PCIe 4 -> TB4 and USB4,...) Where Intel supports Tunderbolt 4, AMD supports USB 4. If you prefer AMD CPU, focus on having the highest USB generation and ensure you have a few connectors capable of DisplayPort over USB.

In terms of the eGPU, most of the cases are Thunderbolt, and using one of those with an AMD system often requires to plug a Thunderbolt daughter board.