I installed Linux alongside Windows on separate SSDs because I wanted a stable, low-maintenance gaming setup without ads or unnecessary software. I chose CachyOS because it is Arch-based and geared toward gaming, but the installation took extensive troubleshooting, including concerns about Secure Boot and keeping an NTFS storage drive accessible from both systems.
On the first boot after installation, CachyOS failed to start. I eventually had to restore an older Btrfs snapshot, which removed Steam and Counter-Strike and left me unsure why the problem occurred. Some people suggested the NTFS drive might have contributed, although it is only intended for shared storage rather than running games.
More recently, I tried using the system's gaming-package installer, but it reported missing dependencies. Running a system update with pacman also produced errors about a missing package database, and checking the mirrors did not resolve it. I am unsure whether the installation is damaged or whether this was a temporary repository problem.
I understand that Steam uses Proton for Windows games, but I am not sure whether I need to install anything beyond Steam manually. I can spend time setting up Linux initially, but I do not want to troubleshoot the operating system constantly afterward. Would Bazzite provide a more stable, easier gaming experience, or would I likely run into similar problems?
3 Answers
You might also prefer a more conventional, beginner-friendly distribution such as Manjaro with XFCE. Steam usually handles Proton, although some games occasionally work better with a different Proton version, which you can select in Steam. Compatibility databases can help you choose the right version when that happens.
If gaming is the main reason for switching, Bazzite is worth trying. Its image-based setup is designed to get you gaming quickly with less routine system tinkering. Steam and the Proton components it needs should be available as part of the normal gaming setup, and your games can stay on the Linux SSD while the NTFS disk is used for general storage.
It sounds like you have had an unusually rough start rather than necessarily hitting the normal experience. Once the initial setup issues are resolved, CachyOS may become easier to live with, so sticking with it for a while could be reasonable if you still have the patience. Your NTFS drive is more likely to cause trouble when running games from it; using it only for shared files should be less problematic.
That is what I am hoping. It definitely felt like a punch in the face after finally deciding to give Linux another try.