I'm currently using Ubuntu 22.04 on my laptop and love it for coding and schoolwork. However, I've faced issues while trying to play games. I have a desktop with Windows 10, and instead of upgrading to Windows 11, I'm considering switching to a Linux distribution. My main concern is gaming; I play a wide variety of games, including emulation and some that I've cracked. I'm looking for a Linux distro that can deliver the same ease of use for gaming as Windows, where I can launch games via Steam or from my library without needing to spend a lot of time on compatibility tweaks. Is there a specific Linux distribution that's good for this?
6 Answers
I've been using Nobara for a few months, and it's been smooth sailing—only had one problem that was easy to fix. Most games work 'plug and play' with Proton or Wine without any major hassles.
You might want to give CachyOS a try. Its installer can seem a bit complex, but it gives you lots of flexibility compared to Ubuntu. Plus, the gaming packages available through their app provide the libraries and codecs you'll need. If you ever run into issues, the AUR (Arch User Repository) is super handy for additional packages.
Nobara seems like a perfect fit based on what you’re describing!
If you just want pure gaming experience, SteamOS could be an option too. It's tailored specifically for that purpose.
For Fedora fans, Bazzite and Nobara are solid choices. If you're leaning towards Arch, CachyOS is definitely worth checking out. PikaOS is also a good option based on Debian. Just find one that fits your preferred base!
If you want something close to Ubuntu, I'd suggest trying out PopOS. Just keep in mind that their desktop environment is still in active development, so you might run into some bugs. If you're open to using a different package manager, CachyOS has been great for gaming—most games work seamlessly through Steam. There are also Nobara and Bazzite, which are Fedora-based and gaining popularity, but I can't speak from personal experience on those.
Just a heads up, Nobara was created to make Linux easier for everyday users, so it might be the streamlined experience you’re looking for.
Thanks for the suggestions! I'm flexible on the distro as long as I can play my Steam and other games without issues. By the way, I upgraded to an NVIDIA 5070 GPU, so that support is essential.