- Thelio Mira is powered by AMD Ryzen 9000 series processors with high cores
- System76 supports up to 192 GB DDR5 memory and 28 TB storage configurations
- Chassis redesign improves airflow by approximately 13.5 degrees and is repairable
System76 has officially launched its redesigned Thelio Mira Linux desktop, bringing major changes to both aesthetics and internal architecture.
The desktop is built around the latest AMD Ryzen 9000 series processors, including options like Ryzen 9 9950X3D 16-core 3D V-Cache and Ryzen 9 9950X.
It can be paired with up to 192GB of DDR5 memory and storage capacity reaching 28TB across multiple NVMe and SATA drives.
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Decent upgrade at a premium price
The new Thelio Mira is designed to accommodate high-end Nvidia GPUs, including the recently released GeForce RTX 5090.
The chassis has undergone a notable redesign, veering away from the original wood veneer look towards a style System76 calls “Precision Industrialism.”
This update provides easier access to front panel I/O, improves airflow with an approximately 13.5 degree reduction in heat, and improves repairability.
The new Thelio Mira delivers performance improvements through thermal and architectural enhancements.
Its CPU clock speeds have increased by up to 19%, while liquid cooling enables the processor to maintain peak performance during prolonged, computing-intensive tasks.
A removable bottom dust filter also helps the unit maintain airflow and long-term performance.
Internally, the layout supports large GPUs up to 358mm in length, and the primary PCIe 5.0 x16 slot can accommodate cards up to four slots in height.
Benchmarks and initial tests suggest that the system handles demanding workloads efficiently by running the Pop!_OS 24.04 operating system with the new COSMIC desktop environment.
Thelio Mira supports a wide range of GPUs, from the RTX 5050 to the 5090, and includes the optional AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT.
Storage options are extensive, with multiple PCIe NVMe generations supported, although some configurations disable secondary slots depending on occupancy.
Networking is provided via Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.2 and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, and audio outputs reach up to 7.1 channels via the Realtek ALC1220 codec.
Power requirements vary depending on the GPU, with certain configurations requiring up to a 1000W PSU.
Despite the system’s extensive specs, attention has focused on the price of the RTX 5090 upgrade.
System76 is asking $5,299 for the GPU, a figure that exceeds the price of most of the system’s memory configurations, including 96GB of DDR5-5600 RAM, which sell for significantly less.
Currently, you can get an entire PC with an RTX 5090 GPU for less than $5,100, which shows the difference between the GPU cost and the rest of the configuration.
This raises questions about the perceived value of such an upgrade for typical Linux desktop users.
The rest of the Thelio Mira hardware, while advanced, can already handle most workloads without the highest level Nvidia card, making the need for it questionable.
It remains to be seen whether the RTX 5090 upgrade will appeal beyond enthusiasts willing to pay a premium for a Linux-ready, ultra-high-end GPU solution.
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