Building a Linux-based Game Machine

[E.S. Rosenberg]

2017-06-14 17:42 GMT+03:00 E.S. Rosenberg <esr+linux-il at g.jct.ac.il>:
> As has been said a bunch of times already get a decent GPU without
> that SteamOS is a no-go, also use the proprietary drivers otherwise
> you won't get performance.
Should really have said: SteamOS and/or up-to-date gaming.
>
> These days there are actually quite a lot of nice and even very good
> top-tier titles available for Linux through either Steam, GOG, or
> Humblebundle.
>
> I am running Steam on Ubuntu 17.04 on a i7-9xx [1st gen] with an
> nVidia GT5xx IIRC with 8G RAM and a 1920x1200 [16:10] screen some
> games require more juice (this is an older box in the end of the day)
> some don't.
>
> As far as games that leverage the Steam controllers go your best bet
> is probably Steam with a caveat most reviewers say that the
> steam-controller is best for allowing couch based playing of games
> that were meant to be played with a keyboard and mouse while other
> controllers (PS-style like Logitech F310 which is pretty cheap or
> X-Box controllers) are much more comfortable for doing 'console' style
> gaming.
> Myself I only own Logitech Rumblepads (precursor of the F310), I have
> been intending to get a Steamcontroller to try it out but not high
> enough priority, please let us know what you think of said
> controllers.
>
> HTH,
> Eliyahu - אליהו
>
> 2017-06-14 12:29 GMT+03:00 Gilboa Davara <gilboad at gmail.com>:
>> On Tue, Jun 13, 2017 at 2:43 PM, Amichai Rotman <amichai at iglu.org.il> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hey All,
>>>
>>> I'd like to build my own Linux-based Game Machine, for the kids.
>>> Their original request was a Console Machine (Sony PS4) but I thought I'd educate them with the Libre Software values...
>>> I didn't realize how hard it will be!
>>> They saved up their allowance and bought the following:
>>>
>>> Asus H10 Mini ATX Motherboard/
>>> Intel i5 CPU w/integrated GPU
>>> 2X8 GB DDR4 RAM
>>> 256GB SSD
>>> 2X SteamControllers
>>
>>
>> I'd add a decent, preferably nVidia based graphics card.
>> Depending on the games you want to play, anything above GTX 950 will
>> do just fine.
>>
>> That said, you didn't mention what type of display is being used, E.g.
>> FHD T.V or LCD.
>> (E.g. a 4K display will require 1070 or above).
>>
>>
>>> My original idea was to install SteamOS on it. It wouldn't install - got a black screen after the first boot.
>>> I ended up installing regular Ubuntu 16.04 and Steam client.
>>
>> I'm running normal steam on home workstation (Fedora 25, Xeons,
>> GTX1080, 4K) and my laptop (Fedora 25, i7, GTX 1080, 4K).
>> Can't say that I had any issues getting everything up and running.
>>
>>
>>> I am not a Gamer, so I find it hard to configure the Steam Controllers and finding games - and make them work.
>>
>> Sadly enough, I don't use the Stream controller, so I have zero
>> experience with it.
>>
>>
>>> My kids are 11 and 12 years old, and don't have the skills necessary - yet...
>>> A friend from work told me to cut my losses and buy them the PS4 with a couple of controllers and thus get rid of the head ache...
>>> I am kinda tired of this - the whole thing started last September. Almost a year ago!
>>> I am writing to you with hope that one of you out there will be willing to come over and help me out with making it work.
>>
>>
>> Specific issues?
>>
>>
>>> I live in Haifa.
>>> Any thoughts / pointers / ideas / constructive criticism will be appreciated.
>>> Amichai Rotman.
>>
>>
>> PS4 / XBOX should be (far) easier, but far less useful if you want to
>> the do anything else with the machine, beyond gaming.
Don't forget PS4 actually runs some form of *BSD so that wouldn't be a
total abandonment of principles ;)

HTH,
Eliyahu - אליהו
>>
>> - Gilboa
>>
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