Thinking About Switching to Linux: What Should I Know?

You're right to ask about compatibility! ProtonDB is your best bet for checking if a game runs well. Dual booting is pretty straightforward with UEFI setup—just shrink your Windows partition to free up space and install Linux in that free area. For a smoother experience, consider distributions like Mint or Cachy OS rather than Arch, as the latter can have a steep learning curve.

For gaming on Linux, definitely check out ProtonDB for info on compatibility with games on Steam. Most single-player titles work quite well—I've been playing Cyberpunk with no issues. Multiplayer is a bit trickier; games like Fortnite and Valorant have anti-cheat systems that prevent them from running on Linux, but many others like Rocket League and CS2 work just fine if you use Proton under the game's compatibility settings. I'd recommend against using a USB stick for installation since it's slow. Instead, create a partition on your HDD for dual booting. If gaming is your main goal, consider distros like Mint or Bazzite instead of Arch—it can be a hassle for newcomers.

Absolutely check out DistroSea to explore different distributions without installing them. Dual booting with a separate drive can ease some complications compared to partitioning from one drive. If you're leaning towards distros, I personally recommend Mint for its ease of use, though I've heard good things about Nobara and Ubuntu as well. Just steer clear of Arch for now; it could be overwhelming for a newbie.