I'm considering moving from Windows to Linux and have an ASUS ProArt RTX 4080 paired with an Intel i9-13900K. I've read that NVIDIA GPUs can perform worse on Linux, especially in some games, and that certain distributions are easier to use with NVIDIA drivers. I've tried Ubuntu and Arch in the past but never made the switch.
My main applications are Lightroom, Photoshop, Fusion 360, Blender, DaVinci Resolve, and some gaming. How reliable are NVIDIA drivers on Linux these days, and would this workflow be practical? Which distribution would you recommend, or should I plan on keeping Windows through dual boot?
3 Answers
NVIDIA support is generally in much better shape than it used to be. Performance varies by game and API, but the old blanket claims of huge performance losses are outdated; with newer drivers, some titles are close to Windows while others can still be noticeably slower. For a desktop NVIDIA system, choose a distribution with straightforward driver support and a stable desktop environment rather than assuming the GPU itself makes Linux unusable.
The biggest issue probably isn’t the GPU—it’s application compatibility. Blender and DaVinci Resolve have Linux versions, and browser-based CAD tools such as Onshape work fine, but Photoshop, Lightroom, Fusion 360, and many Autodesk products either don’t run natively or require workarounds. Resolve can also have limitations around certain proprietary codecs. You may need to significantly change your workflow, so Windows remains the least frustrating option if these applications are essential.
Dual booting is probably the sensible compromise. Install Linux on a separate drive or partition, use it for browsing, Blender, Resolve, development, and experimentation, and keep Windows available for Adobe software, Fusion 360, and games or projects that depend on Windows-only codecs and plugins. That lets you test your real workflow without risking an immediate productivity hit.
A virtual machine can help with occasional Windows tasks, but it may not be ideal for demanding GPU-accelerated editing or CAD. Dual booting will usually give those applications better performance.