Decided to ask here because I feel I’d be grilled on Reddit or anywhere else for this.
With data leaks, security concerns, and Microsoft’s spaghetti coding I really think it’s time for me to make the switch to Linux.
I will preface that I am used to SteamOS and KDE Plasma on my Steam Deck and love the functionality. It’s very intuitive for someone who isn’t prone to using a terminal, but I know a general understanding of when to use it and how to not brick my device.
I’m switching due to the security concerns of Windows 11, annoyances I’m sure we’ve all had, and looking for that hands-on experience for my new personal computer.
I’m going to be building a new gaming PC soon and I’m looking for a number of variables to note, warnings, and suggestions of:
-
- What distro to use that is as customizable as KDE, safe, and intuitive. Or should I stick with it? Any common issues with it or a recommendation?
-
- What games will I need to say goodbye to? I know many games using anticheat won’t always work but I understand how Proton and Wine can help for workarounds, I’ve used some to run Roblox and Rust before on the Deck.
-
- Will I need to replace parts? Maybe a stupid question, but still gotta know.
-
- Is it worth switching for the games I play or is it better to dual-boot/VM?
-
- Any other warnings that may stray me away from Linux (so that I can research and not fall into lol)
-
- Tips on applications for workarounds.
-
If its gaming that is main priority I think pikaos would be a good option. Based on Debian sid. So you will have a more stable ground than arch(my opinion), but still have access to newer kernels for drivers and fixes. https://wiki.pika-os.com/en/home
-
Games that has anticheat on kernel level(don’t know which ones that exist now since I don’t play major fps titles). But basically any games that have anticheat for online could be issue.
-
Amd has best support for Linux, nvidia starts to come around but still has some way to go(my opinion). WiFi cards can sometimes be an issue in Linux still. You need to post your exact hardware config that you have/want to buy.
-
Not all distros support dual boot or rather give instructions for it.
-
Do you have software in your private pc that is work related and developed by employer you will run into issues using it in Linux. I simply built a itx pc just for work stuff(damn you filemaker that don’t work in Linux, even tried with bottles).
-
Bottles: https://usebottles.com/ Winboat: https://www.winboat.app/
-
-
KDE is a “DE”, not a distro. If you want something customizable though I wouldn’t go with an Immutable distro. If you want something safe I’d go with something Fedora-based. If you want something intuitive go with CachyOS.
-
No idea. You could always live-boot into Linux Mint or something and try.
-
Using Nvidia makes everything a lot harder. If you have an AMD GPU or even integrated graphics that’ll make things much easier.
4-6. I’m not the guy to answer these questions, mostly because I’m in a hurry.
-
-
I’ve found it easier to switch to Linux and using windows on a VM or docker image. Tho I had my plan for the migration and used markdown as a means to avoid Ms word.
-
Treat each distro like an ice cream flavor. Some are good, some are bad, some are great and some will make you go what the flying fuck. Try and find what you like. There’s a lot out there.
-
Check out Lutris as a launcher for non steam games.
-
See 5. Different desktop environments for different people see what calls you. I was all up in KDE and the moves to sway.
-
Most games with Denuvo
-
Maybe but depends on the parts. It’s either change the part or figure out a complex workaround. You’ll find manufacturers that have better support for Linux.
I installed Bazzite myself. Probably the most similar to your email experience in desktop mode in SteamOS.
How is bazzite? Does it have a more complete desktop env than the steam deck?
I’ve been enjoying it. What do you mean by complete? What’s the stream deck desktop environment missing?
They both use KDE so they’re both similar
Printer drivers, weird random things like that.
Oh sweet, KDE is nice! It’s nice OOTB and still powerful.
So printer drivers are not particularly part of the desktop environment.
However, if it helps, my decade old printer HP P1606dn worked out of the box. Literally, a better experience than installing it’s drivers on Windows these days.
I know it’s part of the OS right
So seems like it does have that. Which is awesome! Thanks!
-
As you are researching, take a look at Garuda. It is beginner friendly, gaming and performance focused, has good helper apps, and is Arch based so it is getting frequent updates.
I’ve been using it as a beginner for over a year and it has been capable, stable, and easy.
If you are used to steam os, also check out Bazzite, it is designed to be a similar experience.
Hot take: Go with Gentoo. Dive into the deep end, manually install your system from the command line. It doesn’t get more configurable. You’ll be forced t o learn a bunch of stuff tho. But it’s not that hard.
If you take this seriously, my advice would be to not go overboard with global USE flags, and keep your CFLAGS standard.
Or go for something like Arch. Maybe CachyOS (tho I hear this has a lot of optimisations that are described as “yolo”…)
AMD graphics work better than nvidia still, but things are getting better, so if you’re with team green you might have to replace that or you might have no real problems.
Most games just work. Even stuff with anti-cheat isn’t necessarily out (e.g. Helldivers 2, War Thunder and Star Citizen are games with anti-cheat that I play). Best to check protondb if in doubt.
