I'm getting a used gaming PC from a friend. It should be a major upgrade over my current computer, with two SSDs and a dedicated GPU, but I only know that the GPU is NVIDIA and don't have the exact model yet. I previously enjoyed using Linux, though my old system had unreliable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth hardware that worked better under Windows. Since I rely on both regularly, I eventually switched back. Once I receive the new computer, I'd like to try Linux again, mainly for gaming. How good is NVIDIA support these days, which distributions handle it well, and are there any important things I should check before installing?
2 Answers
It’s worth trying Linux, but use the recommended proprietary NVIDIA driver rather than assuming the open-source driver will be ideal for gaming. Keep the system and kernel updated, and be prepared to install matching kernel headers if the driver needs to build a module. If you want the least troubleshooting, start with a beginner-friendly distribution that offers NVIDIA-specific installation media or an easy driver manager.
Before choosing a system, make a list of all the hardware: the exact GPU, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chipset, processor, and motherboard. Driver support depends on those details. If the GPU is supported by the Linux driver, the main difference between distributions is usually whether that driver is enabled by default, not whether Linux can use the card at all.
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