diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-goolf-1.4.10-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-goolf-1.4.10-bare.eb
index fddd66f79575..c1228c95ee9c 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-goolf-1.4.10-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-goolf-1.4.10-bare.eb
@@ -10,8 +10,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'goolf', 'version': '1.4.10'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-goolf-1.4.10.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-goolf-1.4.10.eb
index 41c4f5301ff8..f1545795f754 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-goolf-1.4.10.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-goolf-1.4.10.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'goolf', 'version': '1.4.10'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
index 69f1781b6910..f94be428d34f 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
@@ -10,8 +10,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.3.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-ictce-5.3.0.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-ictce-5.3.0.eb
index 69437c1b5a80..5a1c0eea5bdb 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-ictce-5.3.0.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-ictce-5.3.0.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.3.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.3-goolf-1.4.10.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.3-goolf-1.4.10.eb
index 99f0a85afdff..7313a8d366ce 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.3-goolf-1.4.10.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.3-goolf-1.4.10.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'goolf', 'version': '1.4.10'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.3-ictce-5.3.0.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.3-ictce-5.3.0.eb
index b6f9488dc0a2..8343b4f79358 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.3-ictce-5.3.0.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.3-ictce-5.3.0.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.3.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.1-goolf-1.4.10-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.1-goolf-1.4.10-bare.eb
index 6da04393a83d..7f0eddecda20 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.1-goolf-1.4.10-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.1-goolf-1.4.10-bare.eb
@@ -10,8 +10,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'goolf', 'version': '1.4.10'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.1-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.1-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
index 25ba222aa635..790763608f66 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.1-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.1-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
@@ -10,8 +10,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.3.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-goolf-1.4.10.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-goolf-1.4.10.eb
index 8abe6d999a10..35115d558ef1 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-goolf-1.4.10.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-goolf-1.4.10.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'goolf', 'version': '1.4.10'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
index d3eaca313f63..888cae7b9049 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.3.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
 dependencies = [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.3.0.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.3.0.eb
index f34e0f18e65e..a18d893d6ec9 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.3.0.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.3.0.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.3.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.5.0.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.5.0.eb
index 1572f6e35f3a..feebc6118ff3 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.5.0.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.5.0.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.5.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS_MT" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK_MT"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.0-ictce-5.5.0-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.0-ictce-5.5.0-bare.eb
index 6ec4b22fa3c1..afbd16f4d69d 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.0-ictce-5.5.0-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.0-ictce-5.5.0-bare.eb
@@ -10,8 +10,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.5.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.0-ictce-5.5.0.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.0-ictce-5.5.0.eb
index 516a650ab376..4b7c7e614075 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.0-ictce-5.5.0.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.0-ictce-5.5.0.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.5.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-ictce-6.2.5-bare-mt.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-ictce-6.2.5-bare-mt.eb
index b0d2830c75a7..e19b9fa27cec 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-ictce-6.2.5-bare-mt.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-ictce-6.2.5-bare-mt.eb
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ toolchainopts = {'precise': True, 'opt': True}  # 'openmp' is enabled in R by de
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS_MT" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK_MT"'  # use multi-thread BLAS/LAPACK
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
 dependencies = [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-ictce-6.2.5-default-mt.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-ictce-6.2.5-default-mt.eb
index a2eabbbdcd12..8d8e19d61cfd 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-ictce-6.2.5-default-mt.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-ictce-6.2.5-default-mt.eb
@@ -12,8 +12,7 @@ toolchainopts = {'precise': True, 'opt': True}  # 'openmp' is enabled in R by de
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS_MT" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK_MT"'  # use multi-thread BLAS/LAPACK
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-intel-2014b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-intel-2014b.eb
index a6b3f19e09bc..cc80ae60d78e 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-intel-2014b.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-intel-2014b.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2014b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-foss-2015a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-foss-2015a.eb
index 6eb8bee5ebfa..18ff122b7d21 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-foss-2015a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-foss-2015a.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2015a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-goolf-1.5.14.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-goolf-1.5.14.eb
index 467f0009f867..ed8d9e3ad6d5 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-goolf-1.5.14.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-goolf-1.5.14.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'goolf', 'version': '1.5.14'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-intel-2015a-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-intel-2015a-bare.eb
index 0884c45575bd..5a4da318168b 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-intel-2015a-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-intel-2015a-bare.eb
@@ -10,8 +10,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2015a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-intel-2015a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-intel-2015a.eb
index 813bbd8f5db8..8d0f47ad8f80 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-intel-2015a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-intel-2015a.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2015a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.3-foss-2015a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.3-foss-2015a.eb
index 323e10cac971..1fd6facef34e 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.3-foss-2015a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.3-foss-2015a.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2015a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.3-intel-2015a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.3-intel-2015a.eb
index cd4eda7a62e8..2c33370e9489 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.3-intel-2015a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.3-intel-2015a.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2015a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-foss-2015a-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-foss-2015a-bare.eb
index 6cf2221cfdea..68dd2449cd29 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-foss-2015a-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-foss-2015a-bare.eb
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2015a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
 dependencies = [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-goolf-1.7.20-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-goolf-1.7.20-bare.eb
index d8c3392f6ae5..804aa2fe5f4b 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-goolf-1.7.20-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-goolf-1.7.20-bare.eb
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'goolf', 'version': '1.7.20'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
 dependencies = [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-goolf-1.7.20.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-goolf-1.7.20.eb
index 118fa87c0c0e..0ba1bf21f0df 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-goolf-1.7.20.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-goolf-1.7.20.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'goolf', 'version': '1.7.20'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-ictce-7.3.5-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-ictce-7.3.5-bare.eb
index fb021535855e..85e81832605e 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-ictce-7.3.5-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-ictce-7.3.5-bare.eb
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '7.3.5'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
 dependencies = [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-intel-2015a-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-intel-2015a-bare.eb
index f4f7ec997002..6ce70e6131e0 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-intel-2015a-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-intel-2015a-bare.eb
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2015a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
 dependencies = [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-foss-2015b-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-foss-2015b-bare.eb
index a09dbc1a665b..41969efb9e18 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-foss-2015b-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-foss-2015b-bare.eb
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2015b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
 dependencies = [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-foss-2015b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-foss-2015b.eb
index 7ddee6060950..2c03f2f63035 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-foss-2015b.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-foss-2015b.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2015b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015a.eb
index cd9298a1a888..4f7648132659 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015a.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2015a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015b-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015b-bare.eb
index 427432ba537d..59e5cfc1ed12 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015b-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015b-bare.eb
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2015b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
 dependencies = [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015b.eb
index 366494726f22..606a24c3bfba 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015b.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015b.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2015b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2015b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2015b.eb
index 491c78774ad2..2f3d6a1a668a 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2015b.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2015b.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2015b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016a-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016a-bare.eb
index ffd3ec61bf3d..07c1a8ca2b02 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016a-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016a-bare.eb
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2016a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
 dependencies = [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016a.eb
index d594757afcc6..521e0fe97775 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016a.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2016a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016b.eb
index 5f2b97f4f56c..00b59b06f744 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016b.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016b.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2016b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a-bare.eb
index c7a11a43fc76..08cc4443c178 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a-bare.eb
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2016a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
 dependencies = [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a-libX11-1.6.3.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a-libX11-1.6.3.eb
index d81d97762f41..1e8513c9bc94 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a-libX11-1.6.3.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a-libX11-1.6.3.eb
@@ -13,10 +13,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2016a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=yes --enable-R-shlib"
-# Enable graphics capabilities for plotting.
-configopts += " --with-cairo --with-libpng --with-jpeglib --with-libtiff"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a.eb
index d124a83db4f4..e9428e26ece2 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2016a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-foss-2016a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-foss-2016a.eb
index 764b4d8d19db..94ff42c844ea 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-foss-2016a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-foss-2016a.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2016a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-foss-2016b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-foss-2016b.eb
index e78283619856..d42bfd367dd6 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-foss-2016b.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-foss-2016b.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2016b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-intel-2016b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-intel-2016b.eb
index e878d56ddb6b..9bf43069a382 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-intel-2016b.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-intel-2016b.eb
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2016b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=no --enable-R-shlib"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.3-foss-2016b-X11-20160819.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.3-foss-2016b-X11-20160819.eb
index 3579621970cb..a44b14afa60b 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.3-foss-2016b-X11-20160819.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.3-foss-2016b-X11-20160819.eb
@@ -11,12 +11,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2016b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=yes --enable-R-shlib"
-# actually use Tcl/Tk
-configopts += ' --with-tcl-config=$EBROOTTCL/lib/tclConfig.sh --with-tk-config=$EBROOTTK/lib/tkConfig.sh '
-# Enable graphics capabilities for plotting.
-configopts += " --with-cairo --with-libpng --with-jpeglib --with-libtiff"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.3-intel-2017a-X11-20170314.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.3-intel-2017a-X11-20170314.eb
index 672e590aac16..d85e3a18ec75 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.3-intel-2017a-X11-20170314.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.3-intel-2017a-X11-20170314.eb
@@ -11,12 +11,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2017a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=yes --enable-R-shlib"
-# actually use Tcl/Tk
-configopts += ' --with-tcl-config=$EBROOTTCL/lib/tclConfig.sh --with-tk-config=$EBROOTTK/lib/tkConfig.sh '
-# Enable graphics capabilities for plotting.
-configopts += " --with-cairo --with-libpng --with-jpeglib --with-libtiff"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.0-intel-2017a-X11-20170314.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.0-intel-2017a-X11-20170314.eb
index e3d27fc7a7ba..b990358e2c43 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.0-intel-2017a-X11-20170314.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.0-intel-2017a-X11-20170314.eb
@@ -11,12 +11,7 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2017a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=yes --enable-R-shlib"
-# Actually use Tcl/Tk
-configopts += ' --with-tcl-config=$EBROOTTCL/lib/tclConfig.sh --with-tk-config=$EBROOTTK/lib/tkConfig.sh '
-# Enable graphics capabilities for plotting.
-configopts += " --with-cairo --with-libpng --with-jpeglib --with-libtiff"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.1-foss-2016b-X11-20160819.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.1-foss-2016b-X11-20160819.eb
index 015d9eba2827..82ef0369d34b 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.1-foss-2016b-X11-20160819.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.1-foss-2016b-X11-20160819.eb
@@ -17,12 +17,7 @@ source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
 checksums = ['02b1135d15ea969a3582caeb95594a05e830a6debcdb5b85ed2d5836a6a3fc78']
 
-preconfigopts = 'BLAS_LIBS="$LIBBLAS" LAPACK_LIBS="$LIBLAPACK"'
-configopts = "--with-lapack --with-blas --with-pic --enable-threads --with-x=yes --enable-R-shlib"
-# actually use Tcl/Tk
-configopts += ' --with-tcl-config=$EBROOTTCL/lib/tclConfig.sh --with-tk-config=$EBROOTTK/lib/tkConfig.sh '
-# Enable graphics capabilities for plotting.
-configopts += " --with-cairo --with-libpng --with-jpeglib --with-libtiff"
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
 # some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
 configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"