I'm really interested in shifting away from Microsoft, especially considering the privacy concerns with their software. I do a lot of gaming with my NVIDIA RTX 5090 and video editing using Filmora 14 and DaVinci Resolve for color grading. I'm wondering if Linux is still a suitable operating system for my needs and how I might decide which distribution to install. Any thoughts on this?
8 Answers
Considering your needs, I’d suggest dual-booting with Nobara for a gaming-focused experience. It’s Fedora-based and comes with NVIDIA support out of the box. This way, you can still use Windows when needed!
If many of your games are affected by anti-cheat systems that don’t work on Linux, it’s usually better to stick with Windows for gaming. Just keep that in mind!
For video editing, DaVinci Resolve does have a Linux version. Although they mainly support Red Hat-based systems, I’d recommend trying the Fedora KDE version. KDE is quite customizable, and you'll find it user-friendly. Just a heads up, your gaming experience is mostly safe unless you're into the big competitive titles with strict anti-cheat measures.
If gaming is your priority, you might want to stick to Windows unless you know your games can run on Linux. For the most part, Steam titles do work, but it’s good to double-check beforehand to avoid any disappointment.
Make sure to check that your Linux kernel is up to date for things like the RTX 5090. Generally, you’d want to avoid older Ubuntu-based distros. Arch or Fedora-based distros should be fine. Maybe start with Kubuntu, but double-check the kernel version that comes with it.
You should check out Pop!_OS if you have an NVIDIA card and are a beginner. Just be sure that your games and apps can run on Linux: sites like WineHQ and ProtonDB can help you find compatibility info. Linux can be tricky, though, so back up your important data just in case!
I use Bottles to run Windows games on Linux—it’s pretty straightforward! You can set up a virtual environment that isolates everything, which is great for security and will help your games run smoother. Just be prepared for a little trial and error at the beginning!
A great way to start is to grab a cheap SSD and install a Linux distro on it. This way, you can see how you like it without disrupting your Windows setup. Distros like Linux Mint, Pop!_OS, Ubuntu, and Fedora are user-friendly. Personally, I use Fedora and have never had significant issues with it. So, try one out and see what works for you!
Totally agree with this approach! It's low risk and gives you flexibility.