I have a Ryzen 3 1300X at the moment and it’s always had this soft lock freezing bug on Linux. I used to dual-boot Windows on this machine and Windows never had the same problem, so I think it is an issue with the Linux kernel (I’ve also replaced nearly every bit of hardware that I originally built the PC with, except for the CPU and motherboard, so it probably is an issue the kernel has with my CPU, or possibly the motherboard firmware).
I’ve changed the kernel parameters as suggested by the Arch Wiki. The bug is pretty inconsistent about happening so only time will tell if this solves the issue. But if it doesn’t solve the issue, I’d honestly consider just getting a new CPU that doesn’t have this issue, as completely freezing up, unable to get to a tty or anything, and only being able to power off by physically holding down the power button, is a pretty major issue, even if it only happens sometimes.
So if I do get a new CPU, or maybe just for when I’m next buying a CPU for reasons unrelated to this bug (been considering an upgrade to something that’s better for compiling anyway), are there any good options out there? Intel is investing $25 billion into Israel and the BNC has called for “divestment and exclusion” from it (it’s not officially on the BDS consumer boycott list, but I’m still very much not comfortable buying from Intel). But the Arch Wiki article seems to suggest this bug is applicable to Ryzen CPUs in general, or at least it never specifies a particular model or range of models. So maybe I’m limited to non-Ryzen AMD CPUs?
I’m guessing this is one of the situations where two companies have a complete duopoly over the market and there isn’t an all-round good solution, but thought I’d ask in case anyone had some useful input.
Buy Intel used so that you’re not directly contributing?
Other than that or AMD, your only other option is ARM.
Can you go and buy an ARM CPU and build a desktop system with it?
Yes.
Not many, but they exist. I think most of them come soldered to the board like laptops.
ltt made a video recently-ish showcasing a multi threaded arm cpu desktop. Not sure how availabe that is to the market though.
I’ve heard that newer Ryzens play nicer with Linux.
Yeah, my 5800X3D works perfectly; absolutely zero issues. I’m guessing it’s making use of the 3DvCache too since I don’t notice any performance degredations compared to Windows.
Yeah First Gen Ryzens definitely had a Linux lock up bug. My x1700 had it all the time and could never fix it.
Do you know if it’s limited to first gen Ryzens? I’m looking into getting a Ryzen 5 5600X and I want to be sure I’m not gonna have the same issue
Yes, AMD was replacing Ryzens that had that bug. I’m not sure if they are anymore though. But it’s 100% a confirmed thing. I have not heard anything Zen 2 and newer having this problem and have no experienced any Linux issues with my 3000, 5000 and 7000 series CPUs.
Ah rip. I didn’t know they were replacing Ryzens. I’ll reach out to them but the warranty on my CPU is almost definitely voided after so long.
https://www.extremetech.com/computing/254750-amd-replaces-ryzen-cpus-users-affected-rare-linux-bug
They probably won’t replace it past warranty but it’s always worth a shot
Never experienced or even heard of Steam Deck having that bug and that’s a somewhat recent Ryzen.
I experienced that issue, AMD replaced it for free for me. Still rocking that R7 1700 to this day, still going to strong!
Risc v maybe? Rock 64?
A few more years until RISC-V is at 1st-gen ryzen levels (though it looks like RISC-V is accelerating every day)
My Ryzen 5700u work great with Debian, so as others said, consider upgrade CPU on your am4 motherboard, better buy apu since it always feels good to have backup gpu in your system in case main gpu breaks
Modern Ryzen are fine on Linux. Not sure where they’re declaring it happens for “all Ryzen” from.
Not sure where they’re declaring it happens for “all Ryzen” from.
I’ve not see anyone claim it happens on “all Ryzen”, just that the Arch Wiki article doesn’t specify a particular range or model
I never managed to fix this bug with my first gen Ryzens. Worth upgrading to something newer for sure.
Ah. I’m getting this answer a lot actually. I might try a newer Ryzen then if a lot of people are saying the newer Ryzens work
I had a similar problem with a Ryzen 5 1600, at first it worked flawlessly when I did a manual OC, then when I made a reset, I didn’t care to OC again, and it began to occasionally freeze, usually when idle. When I made my manual OC again including upping voltages a bit for CPU and RAM it worked flawlessly again???
Weird since motherboard defaults aught to be stable IMO, but apparently they aren’t always.
I’ve been using this CPU for 7 years now, and it still runs like a champ, as long as I don’t use the motherboard defaults. I can’t remember last time it crashed or froze.
EDIT:
I just found out the package “disable-c6-systemd” mentioned in your link, is exactly to prevent voltage drop below 1v at idle, which sounds exactly like the bug I had. which is funny to learn 7 years later. ;)
While it probably isn’t the issue for you, I have once been chasing a hard freeze that was caused by some APM setting in the BIOS. If you are on AMD right now you could check it.
It was very weird, setting it to automatic would cause random freezes. Setting it to on or off would both work just fine. Somehow the automatic setting gave me issues.
Just a random thing for you to check I guess.
As I understand, early ryzen processors are generally more buggy. I run 5800x on my desktop and a 5600(x?) in my server. You could try a newer ryzen and see if it works. I would recommend shopping around for a decent warranty.
That’s good to hear that you’re not having problems on newer Ryzen. Although not sure if I want to risk buying a new Ryzen CPU if there’s a chance I could have the same problem
I’ve no ideia what you’re rambling about. I can attest that the Ryzen 5 1600 and the Ryzen 5 2600 that aren’t even new CPUs run perfectly fine with Debian.
Am I the only one of the opinion tech companies that don’t produce any kind of military equipment should not have any political leaning whatsoever?
I run AMD r9 7000 series fine on Linux since like a month
Flapping about, feeling morally superior… did you even try to search for an answer or did you just want to virtue signal? Take a look at RIsc, or Arm… or w/e the Chinese just released.
I appreciate you raising this question, thank you.
Please keep politics out of here
Yeah, there’s nothing political about free software! Why should we have to read about people’s liberatory ideas in the linux community?
It’s absurd I tell you!
Ohhh, I the title is just confusing. I thought it meant companies that support Israel. Nevermind, but companies that don’t are sadly rare.
