I've used Windows 10 for about seven years and am very comfortable with it, but I'm considering switching to Linux because I'm interested in improving gaming performance. I'm completely new to Linux and am unsure how to get started. I've seen gaming-focused distributions such as Bazzite, Nobara, and CachyOS recommended, but I don't know which would suit a beginner best. Can I still play Roblox, Steam games, and Epic Games titles? Which distribution offers the easiest out-of-the-box experience and good performance? Also, does Linux generally use less RAM than Windows?
4 Answers
For the easiest gaming-focused setup, I'd look at Bazzite. It's Fedora-based and comes preconfigured with many gaming tools. Its immutable design also makes it harder to accidentally break the base system. Nobara is a more traditional Fedora-based desktop with gaming tweaks, while CachyOS can be very fast but is Arch-based and generally requires more Linux knowledge. There isn't one universal best choice, so hardware and personal preferences matter.
Gaming performance is usually close to Windows, often within a small margin, though individual games can perform better or worse. AMD graphics cards tend to be easier to use on Linux than Nvidia cards, although Nvidia support has improved and some distributions provide dedicated images or drivers. Linux itself can use less RAM at idle, but unused RAM is normally used for caching, so don't compare the numbers too literally. If you want a less gaming-specific beginner desktop, Linux Mint is friendly, while Bazzite is a stronger fit if gaming is the main goal.
Before installing, test the distribution from a USB drive and make sure your essential games, peripherals, Wi-Fi, and graphics drivers work. Also keep a backup of your files and check anti-cheat compatibility for multiplayer games.
Roblox doesn't have a normal official Linux client. The usual workaround is Sober, which runs the Android version, but it isn't the same as official support and may change over time. Roblox's anti-cheat is one reason the regular Windows version doesn't work reliably through Wine.
Steam gaming is generally straightforward through Proton, but compatibility varies by game—especially with multiplayer anti-cheat. Check each title on ProtonDB before switching. Epic, GOG, and some other stores can be used through Heroic Games Launcher or Lutris. Linux often has fewer background processes than Windows, but actual RAM usage depends on the desktop environment and what you have running.
Bazzite is especially convenient if you want a console-like experience. If you prefer freely changing system packages and settings, Nobara or a regular Fedora-based installation may feel more natural.