Hey everyone! I'm currently transitioning from Linux Mint on my mini PC to planning a new mATX build. I'm trying to decide which operating system to go with for two main tasks: running and developing large language models (LLMs) and gaming, primarily on Steam. I'll likely be using an AMD Radeon graphics card, so I'm hoping to get your opinions on what OS would work best for those use cases. Thanks!
6 Answers
If you're already used to Mint and you're planning to stick with AMD, it could be the best option. I have an AMD Radeon 6700XT, and games like Cyberpunk 2077 run super smoothly on Mint compared to Windows 11. However, if HDR is crucial for you, Fedora KDE might be better for that feature. Otherwise, Mint suits you just fine!
I’d recommend going with Ubuntu. It tends to give you less hassle because most Linux tutorials and software will cater to Ubuntu and Debian. Mint is basically just Ubuntu with a different desktop environment—Cinnamon.
Any OS that's part of the Open Game Collective will likely offer better long-term gaming performance. You might want to check out their website for more information on supported distributions.
If you’re comfortable with Mint, stick with it! It's solid for gaming. Alternatively, CachyOS and Bazzite have some good gaming tweaks built-in, but Ubuntu is always a safe choice if you want something tried and true.
Ubuntu works well for both LLM tasks and gaming, making it an easy go-to choice!
When using Linux, definitely choose an AMD GPU over Nvidia; it will save you a lot of headaches in the long run. AMD generally works better with Linux drivers.
Thanks for the tip! I’ve always heard AMD is a better fit for Linux.