Should I switch to Debian for NVIDIA gaming and MOZA sim racing?

Linux gaming can work very well, but the answer depends heavily on the games you play. Steam and Proton cover a lot of single-player and older titles, while NVIDIA setup is generally more involved than AMD. Debian is stable, but its packages and drivers can be older than what you’d get from a gaming-focused distribution. If you want the least hassle and maximum game compatibility, Windows is still the safer choice.

You don’t have to make it an all-or-nothing decision. Keeping Windows for the gaming machine and using Debian on another drive or older computer lets you test your workflow without losing access to games and utilities. If you do install Debian, consider a newer desktop-oriented distribution first rather than choosing it solely for stability.

MOZA hardware is usable on Linux through Boxflat, which acts as a replacement for Pit House. The main catch is that Boxflat can’t update the device firmware, so you may need access to Windows for firmware updates or occasional configuration work. That might be manageable if your hardware is already updated, but it’s worth considering before switching completely.

Some racing games run fine through Proton, including Dirt Rally 2.0, Assetto Corsa Rally, and Automobilista 2. Multiplayer support is more complicated because games using certain anti-cheat systems may not work at all. Le Mans Ultimate and iRacing are examples where Linux compatibility can be a deal-breaker, so check every game you care about before wiping Windows.