Which Linux Distro is Best for Art and Gaming?

Unfortunately, most Linux distros still struggle with multi-monitor setups on X11. Mint and KDE have a variety of quirks. It might take you some time to get used to Linux, so I’d suggest dual-booting with Windows at first. For gaming, look at CachyOS or Garuda since they’re known for being optimized. Fedora’s KDE could also be a good choice for color management, particularly if you're working with Argyll drivers.

If you're considering Kubuntu, try the daily build of 26.04 with a minimal installation. Just know that you'll need to keep it updated, and the updates might require some manual checks unless you set it up to auto-update. It can be a bit of a hassle, but it could fit your needs if you prefer a stable but flexible setup.

You might want to check out CachyOS or OpenSUSE Aeon. They're both relatively minimal but still user-friendly. You can customize them to your liking as you go along. OpenSUSE Aeon is a bit rough around the edges, but it offers a bare-bones experience without overwhelming extras. Plus, you could always tweak things on another system while using dual boot. Just remember, most distros come with some preinstalled apps, and it’s usually fine to remove the ones you don’t want later.

Honestly, if you're having such issues with Linux, have you thought about just sticking with Windows? Or maybe even getting a Mac? I installed Mint on an old Mac, and it breathed new life into it. If you're looking for simplicity and aren't tied to Windows programs, a Mac could be a good fit.

Thanks, but I’ve built my own PC and prefer to control everything myself. Plus, a lot of the tools I use aren’t available on Macs, and I simply don't want to deal with their ecosystem. Linux just gives me the flexibility I need over a proprietary setup.