I'm considering moving from Windows 11 to Linux because I'm frustrated with its performance, privacy concerns, and built-in features. I use an AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT OC and want to know whether the graphics drivers and gaming support will work properly. I also need to record music with REAPER and Neural Amp Modeler, use my DAW reliably, and teach classes through Google Meet. I'm familiar with Linux mostly through jokes and general impressions, so I'm unsure which distribution or desktop environment to try and whether I should replace Windows completely or start with a dual-boot setup.
4 Answers
Your AMD card is a good choice for Linux. Support for the RX 9070 XT is built into the kernel and Mesa graphics stack in current distributions, so you generally shouldn’t need to hunt down proprietary drivers. Gaming support is also quite good, though individual games and anti-cheat systems can still vary. Google Meet should work normally in a supported Chromium-based browser. I’d verify your exact REAPER, Neural Amp Modeler, plugins, and audio interface setup before making Linux your only system.
There isn’t one universally best distribution. Ubuntu, Fedora, and similar mainstream options are usually easier starting points because they provide current hardware support and lots of documentation. Pick based on the desktop experience you prefer, then install updates and test everything while Windows is still available. Also keep backups and avoid treating random installation commands from the internet as automatically trustworthy.
The safest approach is to dual-boot first, preferably using a second drive or plenty of spare storage. That lets you test gaming, audio latency, recording, plugins, and your classes without removing Windows. You can also try different desktop environments or distributions from a live USB, and browser-based demos can give you a quick feel for how they look.
Linux compatibility mostly comes down to the applications and hardware around your workflow rather than the graphics card. REAPER has a Linux version, but some Windows-only plugins may require workarounds or replacements. Neural Amp Modeler support and audio-interface compatibility are worth checking carefully, especially if you need low latency. Make a list of your exact plugins and devices and test each one before switching permanently.
For Google Meet, using Chrome, Chromium, or another well-supported Chromium browser should be the least troublesome option. Check microphone and camera permissions before relying on it for teaching.