I just bought a new laptop with an RTX 2050 GPU and I'm trying to decide between Ubuntu and Fedora for the best compatibility. I plan to dual boot, possibly using one for schoolwork and running a Windows 11 VM for productivity, while the other might be focused on gaming. I'm also considering GPU passthrough for the VM later. I'm leaning towards Fedora because I've noticed several gaming-focused distros based on it, but I'm looking for advice on which distro would be better for GPU compatibility based on my needs, especially for casual gaming.
4 Answers
Honestly, either one will serve you well! Ubuntu has proven to be reliable for NVIDIA cards, but Fedora can match it if you're okay with a bit of setup. Just pick based on what else you plan to do with your system!
I switched to Fedora recently, and it's been great! I get access to newer kernels and drivers compared to what I had before on Linux Mint. If you’re into gaming, it might just work well for you if you don't mind a bit of configuration.
Generally, Ubuntu tends to be a safer bet for NVIDIA card compatibility. It has a larger user base and more stable driver packages, which makes the setup easier. Fedora, while awesome, often requires some extra steps to get the NVIDIA drivers installed, and since it’s a bit more cutting-edge, you could run into stability issues.
If you're looking specifically for gaming, have you checked out distros like Bazzite? It’s based on Fedora and comes with Steam and Lutris out of the box. For schoolwork, PopOS is also a solid option; it's Debian-based with a great selection of software for productivity.
Yeah, I've heard that too. However, Fedora can have its perks since it offers newer kernels and drivers quicker than Ubuntu. Just be prepared for some occasional hiccups!