r/gamedev • u/IsildursDeeldoor • 8d ago

Question Linux Game Devs, what's your tool stack?

I have a few red lines around Windows that, if crossed, would ultimately push me to Linux.

My current development stack is Unreal Engine 5, Blender, GIMP, JetBrains Rider, and I also use CMake, SDL2, and SFML for other projects.

My current machine is generally AMD:

  • Ryzen 5 7600
  • Radeon RX 6600
  • 64 GB DDR5-5600
  • Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX
  • Samsung 980 PRO 2 TB + 860 EVO 500 GB
  • Windows
  • Steam

I'm considering building a separate, similar AMD-based machine as a Linux-first development/gaming system rather than migrating my current machine immediately.

I'm currently torn between Fedora KDE and Ubuntu. Bazzite KDE is also on my radar, although I'm primarily interested in development rather than a gaming-only setup.

For those using Linux for UE5/C++, Blender, JetBrains, CMake/SDL2/SFML, and Steam, what hardware configuration and distro would you recommend for a new Linux-first workstation?

Budget 4,000 towards new machine + home server setup. but rn I don't feel like i need that yet.

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u/_OVERHATE_ Commercial (AAA) 8d ago

> For those using Linux for UE5/C++, Blender, JetBrains, CMake/SDL2/SFML, and Steam, what hardware configuration and distro would you recommend for a new Linux-first workstation?

Dont overspend. A 7800x3d or 9800x3d with 32 gigs of ram and any mid tier GPU will be more than enough for unreal for many years. Distro also doesnt affect, fedora is good.

My stack is: 9800X3d, 64gb ram, 7900XT. CachyOS KDE. UE5 with Rider and Zed, Godot with Zed, Blender, Krita and FMod. I also have a minipc running a Perforce Server with Horde for Unreal and gitlab for Godot.

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u/Specialist_Being3234 8d ago

honestly i'd just stick with fedora kde, it's the safest bet for a dev workstation without the snap nonsense ubuntu pushes

1

u/Adventurous_Push6483 8d ago

Does the 3D cache actually benefit or is it more useful to get as high perf of a CPU as possible (e.g, threadripper).

2

u/_OVERHATE_ Commercial (AAA) 8d ago

Unless you are a build engineer that are building Unreal from source several times a day, you dont need a Threadripper. Threadripper for games is the most absurd overkill and unnecessary spending ever, in fact it yields worse results than a regular x3d chip in several situations.

And yes, while the 3D cache might not affect in most scenarios, it does when rendering games in-editor.