I'm looking to dive into using Linux but I've faced some challenges with the GRUB boot loader causing issues with Windows not booting properly, which meant sticking to CachyOS since it uses Limine instead. Now that I'm planning to reinstall Windows, I'm also exploring what other Linux distributions might be suitable for daily use, gaming, and especially development - particularly in areas like mobile AR and VR game development. My hardware includes a Ryzen 5 9600X and a Radeon RX 9070XT, and while HDR support would be a plus, it's not essential. Many desktop environments are transitioning to Wayland, and I'm wondering about distros that would work well for these various tasks. Any suggestions?
5 Answers
I think you’ll find any distro works pretty well these days, especially with your setup. Fedora does tend to be popular for developers and gamers alike. A lot of people in the community rave about its ease of use and performance. Totally worth a shot!
If you liked Cachy, consider PikaOS. It’s Debian-based and user-friendly like Cachy. Besides that, Debian itself is a solid option if you're looking for stability and performance. Just install Debian, do an update, and you can set up something like Proxmox for dual-booting if you really want to mix things.
I've been using Fedora Workstation and it's pretty solid for development. It has strong support for software and tools you might need, plus it's straightforward to configure. Even if gaming isn't your main focus, the performance is decent.
You should definitely check out the distro selection page for some tailored recommendations! But honestly, most popular distros like Fedora or Nobara will serve you well for general use and gaming. Just go with what feels right for you. Shadowing your current setup with something familiar like CachyOS might be easy too!
I've been on Debian for over 30 years and it's done me well as both a server and desktop OS. For gaming, it works surprisingly well too! Plus, with something like Proxmox, you can set that up on your Debian install and get Windows running on top of that without dual booting. Just plan things out accordingly and you should be good!
Thanks for the PikaOS tip! I’ll check that out along with Debian.