I'm currently using Ubuntu on an older PC but want to switch my main Windows gaming rig (powered by a 7950X3D and a 4090) to Linux to regain better control over my data and environment. This setup will eventually become my primary workstation since the older machine is aging and slow. My key requirements are: I want to avoid any unexpected updates or breakages since I have family responsibilities and work commitments. I need a system that's reliable without sudden disruptions. Gaming is important to me, especially for titles like Hunt: Showdown and AoE2, and I'm fine with using proprietary NVIDIA drivers or running Windows in a VM for gaming purposes. Lastly, full disk encryption is necessary for work compliance—I have experience with this on Ubuntu and want to ensure it's supported on any new distro I choose. I've explored various options and love the minimalist approach of Arch but can't manage the risks that come with its rolling update model. Debian's stability seems appealing, but I'm not sure if it's suitable for gaming or can be kept lean. I'm looking for recommendations for a non-rolling distro that fits this balanced approach.
5 Answers
Debian can indeed be just as lean as Arch, especially if you hand-pick the packages during installation. You’ll have to manage it a bit, but it’s totally doable if you want that minimalist setup.
Manjaro is another option you might find useful! It's based on Arch but has a more stable base, allowing for a more gentle introduction to the Arch ecosystem without the wild updates.
Have you considered Fedora? It seems like it could meet your needs pretty well! They offer quick updates without many of the unexpected issues you might find. Most users report good stability between updates, just make sure to back up before a major version change. Definitely worth checking out!
Have you looked into Silverblue or its sibling uBlue? They offer great stability through their atomic updates and let you run different environments without affecting the overall system. It might be really up your alley if stability is a top priority.
You might want to try out NixOS as well. It has a pretty steep learning curve, but it gives you the flexibility to roll with stability or update paths as you prefer. Plus, Steam works great on it! Just keep in mind that managing it is different from more straightforward distros.
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