I'm considering making a full-time switch to Linux, and I could use some advice since I have some prior experience. I'm a programmer and a gamer, so I need an OS that can handle my daily tasks, too. My setup includes an Intel CPU and an NVIDIA GPU. I've dabbled with Arch Linux before, mainly on servers and my Steam Deck, and I appreciate the flexibility it offers, along with the manual setup that comes with it. However, I have a few questions: How's the current NVIDIA support on Linux? Are there major issues to consider with Wayland versus X11 for gaming or coding? Lastly, would I be better off choosing a distribution like Debian, Fedora, or Mint for a smoother overall experience? I'm open to suggestions, especially from other developers and gamers who have made similar transitions.
1 Answer
Mint could be a great option for you! It usually comes pre-installed with everything you might need for a smooth experience. Arch, on the other hand, starts with just the basics depending on your chosen desktop environment. For example, I had to install printer support myself since it didn’t come with the initial setup. As for NVIDIA support, it’s improved quite a bit over time, but it depends on your GPU generation. Using a newer version of the kernel can help, so distros like Arch, Fedora, or Ubuntu LTS could be good choices. Also, Pop!_OS is excellent for NVIDIA support. In terms of display servers, X11 can have some multi-monitor issues as it locks the refresh rate to the lowest of all connected monitors, while Wayland tends to perform better overall. It also allows you to run X11 apps through Xwayland if needed. Any Linux distro should work fine for coding; Visual Studio Code or IntelliJ are available on most. To explore your options, you might want to try using Ventoy on a USB drive to test multiple distros quickly. Check if your components—like audio and Wi-Fi—work properly too!
Thanks for the thorough advice! I’ll definitely consider it. My NVIDIA card is from the 30 series, so it’s not brand new. It handles most tasks well, but I appreciate the heads-up on refresh rates. Luckily, I have dual monitors with matching specs!