Valve released another smaller update for Proton Experimental, the constantly changing compatibility layer to run Windows games on Linux platforms like the Steam Deck with SteamOS.
  • beanEnglish
    61·
    2 days ago

    Thinking of Switching to Linux for Gaming — But Have Some Concerns

    I’ve been a lifelong Windows user—mostly because of gaming compatibility and its dominance in enterprise environments. But lately, I’ve been tempted to switch to Linux full-time. I already like Debian and use it occasionally, but Windows has always been my main rig.

    If I were to actually switch to Linux for gaming, what distro would you recommend? • I don’t want something too “kid-friendly” or overly simplified (like Zorin or Ubuntu with heavy theming). • At the same time, Arch feels like too much—I want some control and tweakability, but not a full-time job maintaining my system. • I have an RTX 2070 Super, so I’d really prefer a distro that won’t make me fight with drivers or GPU support constantly. • I’ve heard about Proton and Pop!_OS—are those still good options in 2025?

    One sticking point: Photoshop.

    I actually use and pay for Adobe software (not just for fun), so Wine and alternatives like GIMP don’t really cut it. I’ve even considered switching to macOS instead, just to have Unix-like tools and full Adobe support… but then I lose a big chunk of gaming compatibility.

    So yeah… I’m stuck. I want a distro that makes gaming easy-ish, still lets me tweak and feel like I’m on a “real” Linux system, and won’t leave me stranded when I need to run Adobe stuff.

    Any recommendations or thoughts?

    • EddoWagt@feddit.nlEnglish
      6·
      2 days ago

      I wouldn’t recommend a random distro like the other user to be honest. Especially when you’re still kind of new to linux. Stick to the big ones; Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Fedora, maybe PopOS. Its just easier to find support if you do run into issues.

      Fedora has been really stable for me, so I would recommend that personally. Nvidia drivers are easy enough to install on all of them I think.

      You might want to try running windows in a virtual machine to run Photoshop, although performance might be lacking. Using a second GPU to pass through to the VM is an option if you’re up for that

      • beanEnglish
        1·
        2 days ago

        I could potentially build a system with 2 GPU. That would be amazing. Isn’t there like a hypervisor OS, where I could just run whatever whenever and attach whatever hardware to whichever? Then jump into that machine and use it ‘natively’? Or am I dreaming/overcomplicating? 😆

        Also to be fair, I’m not ‘new’ to Linux. I feel comfortable enough there to get by. It’s more when I dig into drivers and what softwares/tools to use, everyone argues about which is better and it’s hard to sometimes know just what works.

        • Refurbished Refurbisher@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
          1·
          1 day ago

          There actually is a “hypervisor OS” called QubesOS, but it is not for the faint of heart. It’s not exactly difficult to set up or use for basic tasks, but stuff like passing through hardware is more on the advanced side of things. I wouldn’t personally recommend it unless you really enjoy tinkering or if you need max data isolation.

        • EddoWagt@feddit.nlEnglish
          2·
          2 days ago

          everyone argues about which is better and it’s hard to sometimes know just what works.

          Yeah that’s why I’d just pick one of the big ones, narrows the choice way down. Most smaller distros are just customised versions of the bigger ones anyways.

          And yeah I don’t think that what you’re looking for really exists for a desktop, a virtual machine or dual boot is your best bet for now

    • slst@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      4·
      2 days ago

      If you want power usage without the rolling release hassle of Arch, Fedora seems like a good bet. Remember tho that while linux mint is often recommended as the “beginner” option, it’s also a distro that gives power to the user and in the end you can do as much with it as any other distros. If I can add something, Debian testing/unstable could be a good idea for a desktop too since you’re already used to that one

      • A_Random_IdiotEnglish
        5·
        2 days ago

        If you’re gonna game on Fedora, you should game on Nobara.

        Nobara is based on Fedora, So it already comes with that history and support, but with gaming focused tweaks and changes. Its created and run by Glorious Eggroll, the same guy that does the custom proton versions, and the reason why I suggest Nobara above everything else is that it has all the game related stuff baked in, with easy updaters to keep anything thats not updated by the system updater up to date with a simple click.

        So no having to compile shit from sources or anything else. Its all done, and packaged, for easy use and updating.

        Its as user friendly as ubuntu, and ready to go for gaming.

        • slst@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
          2·
          2 days ago

          In the use case of the person who originally commented I would rather use Fedora and then eventually tweak it using some of Nobara’s stuff to my liking.

          • A_Random_IdiotEnglish
            2·
            1 day ago

            And thats fine for you if thats what you want to do.

            Not everyone wants to spend endless hours tweaking.

            I’m stuck. I want a distro that makes gaming easy-ish

            And judging by this, he doesnt either. He just wants games to work easily. and Nobara does that. since it has everything ready to go. Especially since it has a version that also has the nvdia drivers baked in.

            • slst@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
              11·
              1 day ago

              Nobara is like 3 or 4 tweaks, not endless hours and is already gaming ready by default…

    • levzzzEnglish
      3·
      2 days ago

      CachyOS is great, it’s arch based with packages compiled for new CPUs and various optimizations, and a gui installer. Adobe support is hit or miss, but crossover claims to support it. As for drivers, I’ve been running proprietary ones with a 4070 super on wayland and it just works

    • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      1·
      2 days ago

      I already like Debian and use it occasionally

      Then use Debian. You can tweak it in largely the same way as any other distro.

      Photoshop compatibility isn’t going to change much between distros, it’s going to suck regardless of what you pick. If you need it (e.g. for a job), then I really recommend not bothering with Linux for that task. In fact, I recommend just having Windows on a separate drive and use that for Photoshop and anything else that doesn’t work on Linux (i.e. games w/ anti-cheat).

      RTX 2070 Super

      Then pick something release-based, like Debian. The main issue w/ Nvidia cards is with rapidly changing kernels, and that’s not a problem with release-based distros, like Debian.

      I want a distro that makes gaming easy-ish

      That’s basically all mainstream distros. Steam, Heroic, etc. will be essentially the same between distros.

      Just use Debian. If that doesn’t cut it, you’re probably doing something wrong.