I've been trying to switch from Windows to Linux multiple times, primarily due to privacy concerns and frustrations with certain features. My initial experience was with Pop!_OS (based on Ubuntu), but it was a disaster. The GNOME desktop constantly crashed because of NVIDIA drivers, and I had to keep reinstalling them every time there was an update.
Recently, I decided to give it another shot using Arch with Garuda Linux. I meticulously tested everything using a virtual machine, ensuring everything ran smoothly before dual booting. However, just a couple of days after removing Windows, the same issue occurred: my system became unusable due to NVIDIA driver problems after an update, and I couldn't even restore the backup image I made.
I'm not tinkering with the system settings; I simply install my necessary applications, install the NVIDIA drivers using the provided package installer, and then proceed with updates. My specs are a bit outdated but still capable, including an AMD CPU 5800X and NVIDIA RTX 3080. I'd really love to stick with Linux, so I'm looking for any suggestions on how to set it up or which distribution I should try that has better support for NVIDIA drivers. What am I doing wrong?
5 Answers
If you're open to other driver versions, experimenting with them might help. I've been using Manjaro with an older card, and things have been running smoothly for me. It might be a good middle-ground for you if you're willing to try it out!
It sounds like you might be installing the NVIDIA drivers straight from their website, which can lead to issues after kernel updates. On Arch, you should try using the `nvidia` package from the package manager instead. It's generally more stable and won't break as easily after updates. Just install it through the package manager and reboot to see if that helps!
Have you thought about using Nobara? It's a gaming-focused fork of Fedora that comes with the NVIDIA drivers set up from the get-go. It's very user-friendly and could be a perfect fit for you!
I get your frustration! The RTX series can be tricky on Linux. It might be worth trying distributions that come pre-installed with NVIDIA drivers, like Nobara or Bazzite. Many users have reported smoother experiences with NVIDIA on those systems.
I've also heard good things about Zorin OS! During the install, it allows you to use third-party drivers, making things easier.
You should definitely consider trying Linux Mint. Its Driver Manager simplifies the installation of recommended NVIDIA drivers. Just keep in mind that you might need to disable Secure Boot for it to work properly. It'll take some hassle out of installation.
Yep, I agree! Using the package manager is definitely the way to go on Arch.