Linux PC Builder
Hardware that just works on Ubuntu, Fedora, and Arch. No Windows license to buy.
What's it for?
Budget$1,500
Linux runs on almost any PC, but a few choices decide whether it just works or costs you an evening. We pick an AMD graphics card, because its driver is built into the kernel.
The rest is a current processor, plenty of memory, and fast storage. Pick your use above, set a budget, and every part links to Amazon. There is no Windows license to buy.
What you get
- AMD graphics, whose driver is already built into the kernel
- A current processor that mainline Linux supports
- Fast storage and plenty of memory for containers and builds
- No Windows license to pay for
Example linux builds
What the builder recommends today at a few budgets. Every part links to Amazon; customize a build to change the budget or swap parts.
Example build at $1,000 Software / data
Customize this buildComponentSelectionPrice
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 5 245K14-core · 14 threads · LGA1851$190Buy on AmazonCoolerThermalright Assassin X 120 RefinedAir · 155mm tall$25Buy on AmazonMotherboard
ASUS Prime B860-PLUS WiFiB860 · ATX · DDR5$245Buy on AmazonMemoryCorsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8) DDR5-560016GB · DDR5-5600 · 2 sticks$50Buy on AmazonStorage
Crucial MX500 1TB SATA SSD1000GB · SATA-SSD$60Buy on AmazonGraphics Card
AMD Radeon RX 7600 8GB8GB VRAM · 270mm$329Buy on AmazonCase
Montech AIR 903 MAXATX/mATX/ITX · GPU ≤ 400mm$80Buy on AmazonPower Supply
Corsair RM650e 650W650W · 80+ Gold · Full modular$90Buy on Amazon8 parts · about 414W peak · all parts compatibleTotal$1,069
Prices are approximate, from Amazon as of 2026-09-03. Each link opens the live Amazon price.
Example build at $1,800 Software / data
Customize this buildComponentSelectionPrice
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K20-core · 20 threads · LGA1851$350Buy on AmazonCooler
NZXT Kraken 360AIO · 360mm radiator$100Buy on AmazonMotherboard
MSI MPG Z890 Carbon WiFiZ890 · ATX · DDR5$254Buy on AmazonMemoryG.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 64GB (2x32) DDR5-600064GB · DDR5-6000 · 2 sticks$200Buy on AmazonStorage
WD Black SN850X 2TB NVMe2000GB · NVMe$270Buy on AmazonGraphics CardAMD Radeon RX 7600 8GB8GB VRAM · 270mm$329Buy on AmazonCase
Fractal Design Meshify 2ATX/mATX/ITX · GPU ≤ 460mm$160Buy on AmazonPower Supply
Corsair RM750e 750W750W · 80+ Gold · Full modular$102Buy on Amazon8 parts · about 505W peak · all parts compatibleTotal$1,765
Prices are approximate, from Amazon as of 2026-09-03. Each link opens the live Amazon price.
Frequently asked questions
Which graphics card is best for Linux?
AMD, for most people. Its driver is open-source and part of the kernel, so everything from Wayland to Proton gaming works without extra packages. NVIDIA is the pick if your work needs CUDA.
Do I need to buy a Windows license?
No. Linux is free, which saves the price of a Windows license compared with a typical build.
Can I game on a Linux PC?
Yes. Steam's Proton runs most Windows games, and the gaming builds here work well on Linux, especially with an AMD card. Games with strict anti-cheat are the main exception.
Ready-made builds
See all 8Complete parts lists at popular budgets. Open one and buy the parts, or change it first.
Budget Gaming PC$869
1080p gaming at high refresh rates for about $800
See the parts list1440p Gaming PC$1,414
The sweet spot: high settings at 1440p for about $1,500
See the parts list4K Gaming PC$2,479
Maxed-out detail at 4K for about $2,500
See the parts listStreaming PC$1,798
Play and broadcast at once, no dropped frames, for about $1,800
See the parts listOther builds
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