Hello Debian users, I'm planning to build a new desktop computer running Debian 13 (Trixie), and I'm looking for recommendations for a reliable AMD AM5 motherboard.
I've been using Debian for years. My current desktop has a Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P FX motherboard with an AMD FX-8370 CPU. It's approximately ten years old and has been extremely reliable. I'm hoping to get similar longevity from my new computer. I use my computer throughout the day, so stability and reliability are considerably more important to me than overclocking or extra features. I would particularly like to avoid motherboards with persistent BIOS/UEFI, Ethernet, or other hardware problems. The planned system includes: - AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D - NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti 16 GB - 32 GB DDR5-6000 EXPO RAM, with possible future expansion - Samsung 9100 PRO 2 TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD - At least two SATA drives - Debian 13 with its standard kernel and packaged drivers I'm willing to run the RAM at a lower speed if necessary for long-term stability. My motherboard requirements are: - ATX form factor - Reliable 2.5 GbE or faster wired Ethernet - PCIe 5.0 x16 for the GPU - At least one PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe slot that doesn't reduce GPU bandwidth or disable SATA ports - At least three usable SATA ports, including when the primary NVMe SSD and any required PCIe expansion card are installed - Native 20 Gbps USB (USB 3.2 Gen 2x2), or an available PCIe expansion slot suitable for adding a 20 Gbps USB adapter. The slot must remain physically accessible with the GPU installed and must not reduce GPU or NVMe bandwidth or disable the required SATA ports. - Preferably $200-$300, with $400 as an absolute maximum - Good BIOS/UEFI stability and ongoing security updates USB4, Wi-Fi 7, and optical audio are optional. I'd prefer mature, well-supported hardware over newer features. I'm particularly interested in hearing from people who have firsthand experience running Debian on AM5 motherboards, especially with Ryzen 9000-series processors. Which exact motherboard models and revisions have worked reliably for you? How long have you been using them? Have you experienced any Ethernet disconnections, USB problems, BIOS regressions, boot failures, or other hardware instability? Which BIOS version and kernel are you using? If possible, please also mention which Ethernet controller your motherboard uses and whether it works reliably with Debian's in-kernel drivers. I'd also appreciate recommendations for models to avoid if you've encountered serious, reproducible problems. My goal is a dependable Linux desktop that I can use for many years without constantly troubleshooting motherboard issues. Thanks in advance for your recommendations. Landon
