I'm thinking about switching my gaming PC to Linux, since my work laptop will handle anything Microsoft-related. I'm looking for some recommendations on which version of Linux is best for gaming and running AI applications. I've heard that Ubuntu and Mint are great beginner-friendly options that resemble Windows. My main goal is to improve the performance of my AI projects while still being able to game smoothly. I've managed to set up ComfyUI on Windows, so I'm willing to dive into Linux even though I have no prior experience installing it. Here are my PC specs and what I usually do on Windows. I want to make sure that whatever Linux version I pick will be compatible and easy to troubleshoot:
- **GPU**: AMD RX 6600 XT 8GB RAM
- **CPU**: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X 6-Core Processor 3.70 GHz
- **Monitor**: LG 27GQ50F
- **XBOX Controller** (should work)
- **Logitech G29 + Shifter** (should work)
- **UGREEN USB Switch** (might have issues?)
**What I'm into:**
- Mainly gaming: Rocket League, BeamNG, Assetto Corsa (should all work)
- Using Quest 2 for VTOL VR (should work)
- Recently started with AI: Koboldcpp+SillyTavern and ComfyUI+Zluda (hoping for better performance)
Sorry for the lengthy post! PewDiePie's video came at the perfect time as I just got into AI a couple weeks ago and am considering this switch to Linux.
3 Answers
There isn't a single 'best' version of Linux; it really depends on your preferences. Since you’re using an AMD GPU, you can actually run any distro and tailor it to your gaming and AI needs. I recommend checking out distros that are pre-optimized for gaming and general use; there are plenty out there!
With AMD GPUs, remember that you won't be able to take advantage of CUDA and Tensor cores like NVIDIA cards. But you can still get great AI performance with other libraries that work on AMD hardware.
Make sure to check out resources like bazzite.gg and protondb.com to see which games run well on Linux. They can help you find alternatives for applications and ensure that your gaming experience stays smooth.
Thanks for the tips! I’ll definitely look into those sites for info on game compatibility.