Hey everyone! I have three PCs right now. My main one runs Windows 10 because I own a game development business and it's essential for my work. However, I also have a spare PC with pretty decent specs: Intel i7-9700K, Nvidia RTX 2060, 40 GB RAM, and a 500 GB SSD plus a 1 TB HDD. I barely use it, but I want to set it up as a sort of server that runs 24/7 and can double as a backup if my main PC has issues (which happens more often than I'd like). I'm considering switching to Arch Linux but would love to get some second opinions on that.
Additionally, I have an older laptop that runs Windows 11, but it's really sluggish. I mainly use it for typing and browsing, and my mom also uses it and prefers a MacBook-like interface. I'm thinking of installing a lightweight Linux distro on it instead, but I'd like something that performs well and has a UI similar to macOS. Its specs are: Intel i5 7th gen, GTX 1050, 16 GB RAM, and a 1 TB HDD. I'd appreciate any advice on what distros would be best to use for both the spare PC and the laptop, or if I should even switch to Linux in the first place!
5 Answers
Honestly, it might not be the best idea to use that big gaming rig for a server task 24/7. If you're looking for something to run a small documents server, you might want to consider something smaller and more energy-efficient. Running something like an old laptop or a mini PC could save you money on your power bill, plus those systems are usually designed to be more efficient.
I really wouldn’t recommend Arch Linux as a server unless you’re up for constant updates and maintenance. Something more stable and reliable, like Debian, would be a great choice. If your spare PC is mainly for gaming too, you might want to look at something like Fedora as a middle ground.
Just stick with Debian for the server duties. It's rock solid. For the laptop, look at distros like Pop!_OS or Mint. Both are user-friendly and can be made to look pretty sleek without heavy resource usage.
Honestly, just go with Debian. It's reliable and perfect for what you’re trying to do.
For your spare PC, I’ve found that having a proper desktop environment or window manager works great. You can switch it to run like a server by using a different TTY. This way, you have a graphical interface when you need it but can keep it lightweight when just acting as a server. Regarding your laptop, any lightweight Linux distro should work, and you can customize it to get that macOS look and feel using GNOME.
Exactly! I run a 24/7 server on an old laptop with a broken display. It still does its job without wasting too much energy. Using that RTX 2060 just idling would waste a lot of power.