I'm seriously contemplating making the switch from Windows to Linux since my TUF gaming laptop, equipped with a 12th gen i7 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4070, seems perfect for this. Though I primarily game and browse the web, I'm tired of the increasing annoyances with Windows. I'm aware that many games can run on Linux due to compatibility layers, and since I'm not into online gaming, anti-cheat issues don't concern me. However, I'm curious about the performance hit I might face. I keep seeing figures around a 15% dip in performance, but those benchmarks are often based on higher-end cards like the 4080 or 5090, so I'm uncertain if that applies to my setup. I'm also looking for insight into how Intel CPUs perform in gaming under Linux. Finally, I've heard a lot about various distros like CachyOS, but I'm wondering if my laptop is too outdated for it. I'm a beginner, and I've read that Arch may not be the best choice for someone new to Linux.
5 Answers
I own a gaming laptop with a 4070, and I've been on CachyOS and EndeavourOS with no major complaints. In benchmarks, I score a bit better than Windows, but gaming can drop 10% on average. I’ve noticed that more powerful GPUs handle Windows inefficiencies better than mid-range ones like ours. As for the new updates, just be careful with updates when you’re not pressed for time, and make sure to have some troubleshooting guides handy.
I've been using Fedora for years and ditched Windows a few months back. I've seen a 10-20% increase in FPS with titles marked as ‘platinum’ on Steam. If gaming is your priority, definitely check your favorite titles on ProtonDB to see how they perform. For distros, SteamOS could be worth trying, though I think Bazzite would suit you well.
Honestly, I have a 4050 and I've loved my experience with Linux. Don't stress about the performance dip; in practical terms, a 15% drop is often not noticeable. CachyOS is really popular right now, and I think you'll be just fine with it. Even though Debian might intimidate some newcomers, I've been using it and had a good experience. Mint is also a solid choice for absolute beginners!
If you're gaming, I switched to Bazzite Desktop with KDE and haven't looked back since. It has a great interface and automatically loads the latest NVIDIA drivers. Steam is pre-loaded as well, which is a major plus! I game a lot and found the transition super smooth—definitely give it a shot!
When I first installed Linux on a similar laptop, almost everything worked right away except the graphics drivers, which took a bit of time to sort out. After that, it was smooth sailing. You might experience a slight performance hit, especially on demanding games, but overall, it runs great! You seem well-equipped, so I'd say go for it and start learning!
Be careful, SteamOS doesn’t work well with NVIDIA without tweaking. I’d recommend sticking with Bazzite!