Hey everyone! I'm contemplating switching my main desktop to Linux after enjoying it on my laptop. I've been getting pretty frustrated with Microsoft and their recent updates. Before making the leap, I've got a few important questions:
1. Which Linux distribution would be the best for gamers like me? I play a variety of games including Minecraft, ROBLOX, Final Fantasy XIV, VRChat (with Virtual Desktop + Oculus Quest 3), Elden Ring, Fortnite, and Baldur's Gate 3.
2. If I switch, will I lose any important functionality or performance, especially since I'm currently running Windows 11 LTSC, which I've found to be much better than Windows 10?
3. Will my current software and hardware work smoothly on Linux? Here are my specs:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8-Core
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- Storage: WD_BLACK 1TB SN770 NVMe
- Motherboard: Gigabyte B650 EAGLE AX
Let me know if you need any more info to help me out!
4 Answers
Honestly, I would be cautious about fully switching. Some of the games you play, like Fortnite, won't run on Linux because of anti-cheat measures. Roblox used to have some compatibility, but that broke after some cheating incidents, so it's not a reliable option anymore either. For VR, it should work fine, and most of your other games should run well on Linux. My suggestion would be to dual boot: run Linux alongside Windows. That way, you can game on Windows for anything that doesn't support Linux while still using Linux for everything else. For distributions, I've seen a lot of folks recommending Linux Mint, Pop!_OS, or Fedora, but watch out—some newer distros like CachyOS aren't very mature yet. Stick with more tried-and-true options!
Definitely check out Pop!_OS or Zorin! They support Nvidia graphics right out of the box, which is a huge plus. I personally prefer Pop!_OS; it's become my go-to OS!
If you're looking for the latest features and software, consider an Arch-based distro like Garuda or CachyOS. However, keep in mind that performance for DirectX 12 games could drop by about 15% on average. For software compatibility, some may work through Wine or Bottles, but you might have to find alternatives for others. Before you commit, testing out a live ISO of the distro you're interested in could be a smart move!
I made the switch to Pop!_OS around six months ago and it's been great for gaming, especially with my gaming rig. I came from Windows too. For distro recommendations, many people like Mint or Ubuntu, but I personally found Pop!_OS to work seamlessly. Just a heads up: Fortnite won't work because of their anti-cheat system, but most other titles should be fine. Just make sure to dual boot because Windows can mess with Linux boot records if they're on the same drive. Also, keep an eye on the compatibility of your hardware; your specs should be fine, but Nvidia cards can be tricky with drivers. Overall, if you're looking to explore, just jump in and don't be afraid to troubleshoot when needed!
That’s awesome to hear you’re having a smooth experience! I've been thinking about making the switch too but was a bit worried.
Totally agree! It's super solid to have a dual boot setup, especially for gaming. You won't miss out on titles that don't support Linux.