I've tried several Linux distributions on a spare laptop and currently like Arch with Hyprland the most. Before installing Linux on my main PC, I'd like some advice on whether Arch is a good fit for an Intel CPU and NVIDIA GPU. I mainly use the system for gaming, and I also run a Plex server on it. I still need to learn how to set up and use Docker.
Would Arch be a reasonable choice for gaming on this hardware, or would another distribution offer better performance or stability? I know SteamOS is generally optimized around AMD hardware, but I'm not planning to upgrade my GPU. My main priority is getting the best gaming performance possible while still having a practical desktop and server setup.
4 Answers
If you want to stay close to Arch but try something focused more heavily on performance, CachyOS could be a good option. It includes optimizations and is maintained by a team that targets desktop and gaming use. KDE Plasma is another desktop worth trying if Hyprland gives you trouble with NVIDIA, but there’s no need to switch if your current setup is stable.
Fedora would also be worth considering if you want something a little more structured and dependable, especially for NVIDIA drivers and general desktop maintenance. That said, if you’ve already gotten Arch running reliably, you’re probably comfortable enough to use it instead of switching to a so-called beginner distribution.
For gaming, your GPU generation and driver support will matter more than the distribution itself. With a reasonably modern NVIDIA card, Arch should perform well as long as the proprietary drivers, kernel modules, and display-session configuration are set up correctly. Make sure to test your games, Plex, and Docker setup before replacing your current system so you know everything you rely on works.
Since you already have Arch and Hyprland working, there’s no strong reason not to use them on your main PC. Just follow the official Hyprland and Arch documentation carefully for NVIDIA-specific setup. NVIDIA cards from the 20-series onward should generally be fine, while older cards may have compatibility issues. Also, SteamOS is mainly designed for a console-like experience, so it isn’t automatically the best choice for a regular desktop gaming PC.
I’ve heard CachyOS mentioned several times, so I’ll probably give it a try next. Thanks!