help me build linux-libre compatible desktop for my friend
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Hello free software lovers,
My friend tasked me with building a desktop under 40k INR (Indian
Rupee). He wants it to be as powerful as possible under that amount and
I want it to be at least linux-libre compatible. He wants to stick with
x86 architecture.
Can you help us with which parts should we buy and things we should
avoid? My knowledge on this subject is very little for example I know
that I need to stick with Intel integrated graphics, but I don't know
anything more specific.
I tried to search the Trisquel forums for information on this topic, I
guess my search keywords weren't good enough. I have come across this[0]
but tbh I don't understand it much.
[0] https://trisquel.info/en/wiki/personal-computer
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Abhiseck Paira
E34E 825B 979E EB9F 8505 F80E E93D 353B 7740 0709
https://paira.in
For a free BIOS, see that recent post by jxself: https://trisquel.info/forum/librebooting-my-desktop#comment-166973
Unfortunately, I believe both options with Libreboot exceed your budget.
I know that I need to stick with Intel integrated graphics, but I don't know anything more specific.
Well, assuming you do not need Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, there is not much else to know for compatibility with free drivers. Converting 40,000 INR to 480 euros and assuming the prices in India are like those in France, you can have that:
- Motherboard: Gigabyte H510M S2H for the 10th generation of Intel processors, with several slots for DDR4 3200 MHz RAM, Ethernet, several USB 3 ports, an HDMi output, a connector M.2 for a SSD, another one for a SATA disk, both allowing 6 Gb/s, etc.;
- Processor: Intel Core i3-10105 (from the aforementioned 10th generation, with integrated graphics, quad-core, no anti-feature such as vPro and TXT);
- RAM: G.Skill Aegis 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) DDR4 3200 MHz CL16 (one single stick, so that you keep the free slot to double or triple the amount of RAM in the future, if necessary);
- SSD: Textorm BM5 SSD 120 GB, which are more than enough for the root partition and the swap;
- HDD: Western Digital WD Blue Desktop 1 TB SATA 6Gb/s 64 Mo (and 7200 RPM) for /home;
- Fan: Arctic Alpine 12 CO, supporting the socket Intel 1200;
- Power: Corsair VS Series VS350;
- Box: (Zalman S2 TG, compatible with the Micro ATX format of the motherboard).
All that amounts to 456€ (38,000 INR) on https://www.ldlc.com what lets space for a (possibly wireless) keyboard+mouse kit or 8-Watt speakers or a 1080p webcam or ..., if your friend does not have that yet. I hope he was not expecting a screen within the 40,000 INR. The cheapest 21.5" 1080p screen at LDLC costs 130€ (almost 11,000 INR).
"Unfortunately, I believe both options with Libreboot exceed your budget."
Yes. A workaround are some of the other systems like the Gigabyte GA-G41M-ES2L motherboard which I can usually find for around $25 USD. You'd be limited to using the onboard VGA port, since the onboard PCI Express slots don't work with the current version of libreboot (20160907.)
A side benefit is that the Gigabyte GA-G41M-ES2L can have libreboot flashed with software, unlike the Asus KGPE-D16 which needs to have the first flash done with hardware and then later flashes can be done with software (or buy a chip from someone with libreboot already on it and replace the chip on the board - the chip's in a socket after all.)
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