Hey everyone! I'm new to Linux after years with Windows, and I'm excited to dive in. I've just built a new PC and I'm looking for recommendations on the best Linux distribution to install. I'm after something stable, secure, and compatible with my recent hardware. My main use is for productivity and gaming, and here are my specs:
- Motherboard: GIGABYTE Extreme X870E
- CPU: AMD 9950X3D
- GPU: RTX 5080
- RAM: 256 GB DDR5
I want a distro that supports both productivity and gaming, is well-supported by an active community, and is regularly updated. Even if it requires some command-line work, I'm willing to tinker for the best results. My goal is to move away from Windows, which I'm no longer happy with. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
3 Answers
If you're looking for an easy setup with drivers, I'd recommend going with Pop OS. The Nvidia drivers usually give trouble on other distros, but Pop OS makes it pretty straightforward. If you want to feel like you're using a completely new OS, maybe try Debian with the GNOME desktop environment. Another option is to distro hop until you find the one you like—the desktop environment plays a huge role!
Check out the distro selection page in the wiki for a good starting point! Just remember, always take regular backups, try things out in a virtual machine first, and make sure you understand each command before you hit Enter!
Linux Mint is a great choice for new users. It's well-designed, easy to install, and has a solid community behind it. Mint balances simplicity with enough advanced features to keep more experienced users happy—definitely worth considering!
I haven’t used Mint in a while, but I remember them not offering stable release upgrades and recommending a reinstall for updates. Is this still true? Why would I choose Mint over something like Fedora for beginners?