The godfather speaks - this is the device Linus Torvalds says would be his perfect Linux PC, but you'll never get one

1. Pro

The godfather speaks - this is the device Linus Torvalds says would be his perfect Linux PC, but you'll never get one News By Efosa Udinmwen published 4 December 2025

Linus Torvalds chooses his ideal Linux hardware and it's not what you'd expect

Comments (0) ()

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Linus Tech Tips)

• Linus Torvalds' perfect Linux PC includes an Intel Arc 8580 GPU
• The build features ECC memory to ensure data accuracy for development tasks
• Threadripper gives Torvalds massive multi-core power for compiling Linux code

Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux kernel, has finally allowed a new Linux PC to be built on camera, with Linus Sebastian from Linus Tech Tips handling the assembly.

The video, which stretches to nearly an hour, mixes jokes, references to Highlander and Spider-Man, and discussions about ECC memory, but it quietly reveals Torvalds’s hardware preferences.

He selected a Threadripper CPU, ECC memory, and an Intel Arc 8580 GPU, which surprised many viewers given his history with graphics cards.

You may like

• Linus Torvalds gives approval to "vibe coding" - just don't use it on anything important
• 8-core AMD Ryzen Mini PC can power four 8K monitors, has two SSD slots, two Ethernet ports, and even a tiny LCD display - but will you trust a brand you've never heard of?
• Which GPU is best for content creation? Well, Nvidia seems to have all the answers to that question, but Intel is the dark horse

Building the PERFECT Linux PC with Linus Torvalds - YouTube Watch On

Surprising GPU choice

Torvalds is not a gamer, so the GPU will likely never run demanding features like ray tracing.

The decision to use an Intel Arc 8580 rather than a Radeon or Nvidia card came as a surprise to the Linux community.

Radeon is often praised for its open-source drivers, and Nvidia has faced criticism in the past for driver issues.

Linus Sebastian even notes that a Radeon GPU would have been the “obvious Linux choice,” yet Torvalds specifically requested the Arc card.

Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

This selection shows that the build prioritizes hardware compatibility with mainline kernels and personal workflow over typical gaming performance.

Torvalds’s choice of ECC memory and a quiet system highlights his focus on reliability and stability.

ECC memory helps detect and correct data errors, which is crucial for development environments where accuracy matters.

You may like

• Linus Torvalds gives approval to "vibe coding" - just don't use it on anything important
• 8-core AMD Ryzen Mini PC can power four 8K monitors, has two SSD slots, two Ethernet ports, and even a tiny LCD display - but will you trust a brand you've never heard of?
• Which GPU is best for content creation? Well, Nvidia seems to have all the answers to that question, but Intel is the dark horse

Noise reduction also ranks highly for Torvalds, reflecting his preference for systems that don't demand constant attention.

These choices make the device well-suited for professional Linux work, including compiling large codebases and testing Linux distros efficiently.

The Threadripper CPU offers ample cores and threads for parallel processing, which benefits programmers and developers running multiple virtual machines or compiling large projects.

This type of hardware configuration would appeal to anyone working on programming laptops, servers, or desktop setups that require high reliability.

Even smaller systems like mini PCs could benefit from the principles applied here, particularly in supporting ECC memory and mainline kernel compatibility.

Despite the specifications, the “perfect Linux PC” as envisioned by Torvalds is unlikely to appear on most enthusiasts’ desks.

The combination of high-end Threadripper CPUs, ECC memory, and the Intel Arc 8580 GPU makes it expensive and specialized.

While the build showcases an ideal setup for development and Linux compatibility, few users will assemble such a configuration.

Torvalds’s preferences offer insight into the priorities of a professional developer: reliability, kernel compatibility, and efficient multi-core performance, rather than raw gaming power.

The focus stays on systems that support long-term productivity rather than consumer trends.

Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.

Efosa UdinmwenFreelance Journalist

Efosa has been writing about technology for over 7 years, initially driven by curiosity but now fueled by a strong passion for the field. He holds both a Master's and a PhD in sciences, which provided him with a solid foundation in analytical thinking.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout Read more Linus Torvalds gives approval to "vibe coding" - just don't use it on anything important    8-core AMD Ryzen Mini PC can power four 8K monitors, has two SSD slots, two Ethernet ports, and even a tiny LCD display - but will you trust a brand you've never heard of?    Which GPU is best for content creation? Well, Nvidia seems to have all the answers to that question, but Intel is the dark horse    Morefine's H1 is the latest mini PC with an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and 128GB RAM - so I have to ask, why can't Dell launch something similar?    Ambitious Chinese GPU vendor debuts liquid-cooled, single-slot, dual GPU card with 48GB RAM and the ability to get four of them in a system - sadly, it's the Intel Arc Pro B60    Top Linux PC maker drops plan for SnapdragonX Elite-powered notebook - says hardware was "less suitable than expected."    Latest in Pro AWS Graviton5 is its most powerful and efficient CPU to date - and could mean big changes for your key cloud workloads    Start 2026 strong - you can save up to 50% on Wix’s top apps right now    Over 70 US banks and credit unions affected by Marquis ransomware breach - here's what we know    Customer data stolen in Freedom Mobile account management platform hack    CEOs are warning AI adoption and spending should be more strategic    Apple Final Cut Pro (2025) review    Latest in News Roblox, FaceTime become the last targets of Russia's censorship    Marvel Rivals now has a gacha mini-game featuring a limited-time Psylocke bundle – here's how it works    YouTube to lock out under-16s in Australia as controversial social media ban looms    Forget Spotify Wrapped, get back into CDs with FiiO’s gorgeous new portable player    Sony announces partnership with Bad Robot Games to produce and publish a new four-player, co-op shooter from Left 4 Dead director    Can you guess which pro Canon camera took the best landscape photo of 2025?    LATEST ARTICLES

1. 1The godfather speaks - this is the device Linus Torvalds says would be his perfect Linux PC, but you'll never get one
2. 2Newly-discovered $1.5 billion lithium deposit could revolutionize the tech industry - but bad news, it's inside a supervolcano
3. 3Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 gets a new story trailer teasing the playable Dark Angels faction ahead of its 2026 launch
4. 4Over 70 US banks and credit unions affected by Marquis ransomware breach - here's what we know
5. 5Looking to supercharge your Raspberry Pi? This adapter provides two full-sized HDMI ports and a PCIe connector - and it only costs $10