System76 has officially launched its revamped Thelio Mira Linux desktop, showcasing significant improvements in both its look and internal design. This new machine focuses on powerful performance and user-friendly features.
Thelio Mira packs the latest AMD Ryzen 9000 series processors, offering choices like the potent Ryzen 9 9950X3D 16-core and the Ryzen 9 9950X. It also supports a massive 192GB of DDR5 memory and up to 28TB of storage using both NVMe and SATA drives.
Designed for serious graphics power, the new Thelio Mira can house high-end Nvidia GPUs, including the recently released GeForce RTX 5090. This makes it a beast for demanding visual tasks.
The computer’s case has received a major facelift, moving away from its old wood veneer. System76 now calls the style “Precision Industrialism.” This new design makes it easier to access front ports, improves airflow (reducing heat by about 13.5 degrees), and simplifies repairs.
Thanks to better cooling and internal design, the new Thelio Mira boasts significant performance gains. Its CPU clock speeds are up to 19% faster, and liquid cooling ensures the processor maintains top performance during long, intense tasks. A removable bottom dust filter also helps keep the system running cool and efficiently over time.
Inside, the layout easily fits large GPUs up to 358mm long, with the main PCIe 5.0 x16 slot supporting cards that take up to four slots. Early tests show the system handles tough jobs well, especially when running System76’s own Pop!_OS 24.04 with the new COSMIC desktop environment.
Thelio Mira offers a wide range of GPU options, from the RTX 5050 all the way to the 5090, and includes the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT as an alternative. It provides extensive storage choices, with support for various PCIe NVMe drives. Networking features include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.2, and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, while audio supports up to 7.1 channels. Power needs vary, with some setups requiring a 1000W power supply.
However, the price of the RTX 5090 upgrade stands out, with System76 asking $5,299 for just the GPU. This amount is more than most of the system’s memory options, including 96GB of DDR5 RAM, which costs much less. You can currently buy an entire PC with an RTX 5090 for under $5,100, highlighting the high cost of this particular upgrade within the Thelio Mira.
This pricing raises questions about the value of such an expensive GPU for most Linux desktop users. The other high-end hardware in the Thelio Mira can already handle most tasks without needing the top-tier Nvidia card. It remains to be seen if only dedicated enthusiasts will opt for this premium Linux-ready GPU solution.
