G'day all. Finally looking to refresh the old desktop at home.
Target state is a Linux PC, able to host VMs, play games and interact with various hardware items. I might even get it access to work, we'll see, that's just a stretch goal.
I've been trying this with legacy hardware. Plenty of stuff either works via Proton or works natively. Already enough to make me fairly happy - until the GPU died, hence I'm now shopping around. Intend to go AM5+Radeon7k.
Have seen and read about running a Windows VM for gaming titles that refuse to run natively, versus simply dual booting. Apparently there is a hardware limitation to consider - IOMMU groupings, which premium mainboards like ASrock Taichi, Gigabyte Aorus or Asus ROG offer but is often sketchy on anything under $500aud. Who's tried that? If your M/B doesn't feature IOMMU groupings suitable to the task, is there a workaround?
Was hoping the Asrock x670e Steel Lightning would cut it, the price is good, but forum feedback from a user with those was negative last year.
Gigabyte Tough Gaming x670e maybe? Price is fair. Integration with Corsair iCue a bonus. Can either control that with native Linux software or pipe it to a Win VM for iCue. But unsure of IOMMU aspect.
ASRock Taichi is apparently great, but yeesh, the price on those things.
Source: level1techs.com
Now I can keep researching the above and find stuff that should work, but I haven't found anyone saying whether you can switch the GPU from feeding the guest back to feeding the host without restarting. A lot of what I'd play is either Proton supported or native Linux, it's only the odd title that even requires Windows now (what a change right?). And dual boot doesn't require premium anything, but dropping out of Linux to warm up Windows just for a fussy game would be annoying.
If a hypervisor can push the GPU to a VM, and hand it back after, that's a clear advantage and I'd pay more for a mainboard to have that option. Has anyone tried doing that? How'd it go?
Target state is a Linux PC, able to host VMs, play games and interact with various hardware items. I might even get it access to work, we'll see, that's just a stretch goal.
I've been trying this with legacy hardware. Plenty of stuff either works via Proton or works natively. Already enough to make me fairly happy - until the GPU died, hence I'm now shopping around. Intend to go AM5+Radeon7k.
Have seen and read about running a Windows VM for gaming titles that refuse to run natively, versus simply dual booting. Apparently there is a hardware limitation to consider - IOMMU groupings, which premium mainboards like ASrock Taichi, Gigabyte Aorus or Asus ROG offer but is often sketchy on anything under $500aud. Who's tried that? If your M/B doesn't feature IOMMU groupings suitable to the task, is there a workaround?
Was hoping the Asrock x670e Steel Lightning would cut it, the price is good, but forum feedback from a user with those was negative last year.
Gigabyte Tough Gaming x670e maybe? Price is fair. Integration with Corsair iCue a bonus. Can either control that with native Linux software or pipe it to a Win VM for iCue. But unsure of IOMMU aspect.
ASRock Taichi is apparently great, but yeesh, the price on those things.
Source: level1techs.com
Now I can keep researching the above and find stuff that should work, but I haven't found anyone saying whether you can switch the GPU from feeding the guest back to feeding the host without restarting. A lot of what I'd play is either Proton supported or native Linux, it's only the odd title that even requires Windows now (what a change right?). And dual boot doesn't require premium anything, but dropping out of Linux to warm up Windows just for a fussy game would be annoying.
If a hypervisor can push the GPU to a VM, and hand it back after, that's a clear advantage and I'd pay more for a mainboard to have that option. Has anyone tried doing that? How'd it go?
Last edited:
