Switching from Windows 10 to Linux for gaming: which distro should I choose?
Asked by
MellowPine47
I've used Windows 10 for about seven years and am very comfortable with it, but I'm considering switching to Linux because I'm unhappy with gaming performance. I'm completely new to Linux and feel overwhelmed by the different choices, especially gaming-focused distributions such as Bazzite, Nobara, and CachyOS. I'd appreciate practical advice on getting started and choosing a system that is easy to use while still offering good gaming performance.
In particular:
- Can Roblox still be played on Linux?
- Can I play games from Steam and Epic Games?
- Which distribution offers the best out-of-the-box experience and performance?
- Does Linux generally use a lot of RAM compared with Windows?
Answers
Linux itself usually uses less memory for background services than Windows, but RAM usage depends heavily on the desktop environment and the applications you run. Seeing Linux use available RAM is not automatically a problem because it uses memory for caching. A typical desktop may idle around 1–2 GB, though heavier environments and startup applications can use more. Gaming performance is often close to Windows, sometimes slightly better or worse depending on the game, drivers, GPU, and compatibility layer.
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Steam gaming works through Proton, and many Windows games run very well. For individual compatibility, check ProtonDB, especially for multiplayer games that use kernel-level anti-cheat. Epic, GOG, Ubisoft, and other stores can often be used through Heroic Games Launcher or Lutris, although results vary by game. Roblox has no official Linux client; tools such as Sober run the Android version, but that is an unofficial workaround and could stop working or behave differently from the Windows version.
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Before replacing Windows, check your actual game library rather than choosing a distro based only on general performance claims. Anti-cheat is the biggest obstacle: some competitive multiplayer games simply do not work on Linux. AMD graphics cards are often the least troublesome, while Nvidia support has improved but may require choosing the appropriate drivers or image. If you’re nervous about switching, test the system from a live USB, dual-boot, or install it on a spare drive first. Mint is very beginner-friendly, but Bazzite, Fedora, or Nobara may be a better fit if gaming features and modern display support are priorities.
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For the easiest gaming-focused setup, Bazzite is probably the safest recommendation. It comes with much of the gaming configuration already handled, and its immutable design makes it harder to accidentally break the base system. Nobara is a more conventional Fedora-based desktop that includes gaming tweaks and useful software, while CachyOS is Arch-based and can offer excellent performance but generally requires more Linux knowledge and maintenance. There isn’t one objectively best distro, so hardware, desktop preference, and willingness to troubleshoot matter more than small benchmark differences.
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Answers are reviewed before publication.
QuietHarbor63: Nobara is Fedora-based, so it feels more like a traditional desktop installation than Bazzite, which uses an immutable system model.