I currently run windows 10 on my main desktop PC, and also have a steam deck that I sometimes use in desktop mode instead of my desktop. With the way Windows is going, and the way Linux Gaming is dramatically improving, I might consider ditching Windows, at least for the most part, on my next PC build. What would be the best distro to use for gaming, with casual use as well? Any suggestions?

  • Keegen@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    Honestly anything with a non LTS release schedule will be fine. So long as you keep a relatively recent kernel and GPU drivers it pretty much doesn’t matter. You can go for a rolling release like Arch or OpenSUSE Tumbleweed or a staged release like Fedora. Even Ubuntu or it’s derivatives are fine so long as you stick to the yearly versions and don’t have a particularly bleeding-edge hardware.
    My only advice is stick to the popular stuff. This applies to both distros and desktop environments. Much easier to troubleshoot things and find help and they have more people using them, which usually means the experience is more polished and bugs get fixed faster.

    • WhiskyTangoFoxtrot@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      If you’re using a LTS release then you should be aware that many of the programs in the repository will only get bug-fixes and security updates until the next LTS is out. You can get around this by using the Flatpak versions of those programs instead of the distribution’s versions.

  • Eeyore_Syndrome@sh.itjust.works
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    1 year ago

    Fedora!

    But wait.

    Actually Bazzite, as a way to consume/deploy Fedora on your host desktop.

    Even works great on non 64GB Steam Decks. With gnome available as an option as well.

    Also builds for Nvidia users

    Bazzite/Universal Blue is Not a “distro”, it’s a project. It’s not “immutable”, it’s Atomic OCI cloud based image deployment for your host OS.

    It’s Chromebook easy, it’s Fedora “with batteries included/extra steps.”

    • uis@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      If you have an Intel GPU: I am so sorry.

      What do you mean? They have good support on every distro.

    • zyberteq@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Pop OS has specific Nvidia settings as well. Works pretty good on my work laptop, though I don’t have gaming experience with that combination.

      My own pc is and only and runs pretty good with Pop OS, in some cases better than Windows.

  • GustavoM@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Nobara if you want to “install-and-forget”.

    Any non-Ubuntu-based distro, minimal install if you don’t mind tweaking.

    but why not Ubuntu

    For some reason it likes to slip some unsolicited bloatware in – no idea why.

  • This_Guy_Fawkes@infosec.pub
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    1 year ago

    As a new Linux user coming from Windows I’d recommend Mint. If you have very new hardware and want better support go for something like Endeavor, openSUSE tumbleweed, or Nobara/Fedora KDE. Almost any distro with exceptions like Alpine and Qubes will probably be more or less OK.

  • smoothbrain coldtakes@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

    I use Arch through EndeavourOS. It takes a bit of setup but it’ll do what you need. It can get complicated and it easily breaks, but that’s what you get when you go cutting edge with Arch.

    Alternatively you can look at pre-configured gaming distros like Nobara which I believe is based on Fedora, which is a very well supported distro in general. Nobara’s stated goal is to be a streamlined distro for point-and-click users that includes 3rd party drivers off the rip.

  • Cyborganism@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

    This question gets asked every week on every Linux community. We should have a pinned thread for this.

  • f00f/eris@startrek.website
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    1 year ago

    Most regular distros are good enough for gaming. The only issue you’re likely to run into is with graphics drivers (I recommend going for AMD graphics on that build), and the availability of certain software in certain formats (gaming software is more likely to be available for Debian or Ubuntu based distros).

    If you like the Steam Deck’s desktop mode, you might enjoy another distro with the same desktop environment (KDE Plasma). I’m partial to KDE Neon, a snappy Ubuntu LTS spin with all of the latest KDE software.

  • Presi300@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I’d go with nobara, it’s stable, yet not too old and has a lot of gaming oriented optimizations and should work well with Nvidia graphics cards.

  • angrymouse@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Probably anyone that keeps updating a little to get mesa and nvidia updates frequently, even if you use testing or unstable should be great if you install steam from flatpak.

    You only have to jump into arch or steamOS if you want to use literally the latest features of mesa driver (but you don’t have to for 99.9999% of the games) so just pick the one that you like and if it is more stable distro, install steam via flatpak.

    I use endevourOS cause I’m maniac with updates, I like to use latest stuff everywhere, but uou should not have any issue with Mint, PopOS. Debian stable could stay on older graphics driver for longer andcan be a problem, but you can just switch to testing or unstable branches.