I'm new to the world of Linux and want to make a switch without messing things up too much. I'm using an Asus ROG STRIX B650E-F GAMING WIFI motherboard with an AMD Ryzen 9 7900X CPU, 64GB of 4800 RAM, and an RTX 4070. My storage setup includes a 2TB PCIe SSD split into four partitions: EFI, Recovery, and a C drive with Windows 11 (1,150GB) and a D drive that's currently empty (712GB).
I've heard that Linux Mint and Ubuntu are user-friendly options and I prefer something similar to Windows for file management. I don't mind a learning curve, but I want to easily access my music library. Customizing the interface is a bonus but not critical right now.
My plan is to dual boot, keeping Windows for the time being, and installing Linux on the D drive. I read that Linux can work with NTFS, but I've also seen that ext4 is the recommended filesystem for Linux. Is it true that NTFS is functional but ext4 might perform better?
I've heard mixed things about Nvidia drivers on Linux and want to ensure I can still use my GPU without issues. I'm not a heavy gamer, so I don't need a gaming-optimized distro, just something that works without too many headaches when I do want to play. I'm looking for any insight or suggestions as I navigate this transition.
1 Answer
Mint is a solid choice for new users! Just be aware that Nvidia drivers can sometimes be tricky. The good news is that Mint has a supportive community, so you'll find plenty of help online if you run into any issues.
That's great! An active community can make a huge difference.