I’ve made the leap from Windows to Linux and am currently using Linux Mint with KDE Plasma, but to be honest, it’s been a frustrating experience. I’m facing all sorts of issues, such as x11 not supporting monitors with mixed refresh rates. My main monitor runs at 165Hz, but windows I move stutter at 60Hz. When playing games, I get sync issues, and sometimes the screen just goes black. I’ve tried using Wayland, but that led me to a black screen as well, and while I managed to install the latest Nvidia driver, I continue to face problems like Discord randomly going black and games not displaying properly. I’ve even thought about switching to another distro, but I’m unsure where to start. Any tips or suggestions to ease this transition would be super helpful, especially regarding my VR setup and sim racing wheel.
4 Answers
It sounds like your troubles might stem from using Linux Mint. Many people experience issues with the proprietary Nvidia drivers on Mint. Instead, try using a distro like Ubuntu or Pop!_OS; they tend to have better support for gaming out of the box. I’ve been using Ubuntu 24.04 LTS with a 3060 Ti for gaming, and it works pretty well after a bit of configuration. You might want to look into more gaming-focused distros like Bazzite or Pop!_OS, which come with more updated drivers.
Yeah, I can vouch for that. Bazzite works great with Nvidia and supports gaming much better due to more up-to-date software.
Honestly, it’s high time we stop recommending Linux Mint for new gamers. Mint relies on older packages that can clash with more modern Nvidia drivers. Instead, I would recommend something like Fedora—its more current packages can alleviate many of the issues you’re facing. You might want to check out Nobara too; it’s particularly friendly for gaming with Nvidia cards.
Absolutely! Fedora has been my go-to for gaming, and I haven’t run into the same issues with dual monitors.
Exactly! Nobara has really stepped up for gaming, and it comes with most of the drivers needed!
You’re definitely not stupid! Linux can have a steep learning curve, especially when it comes to getting Nvidia drivers working properly. It’s important to remember a lot of distros aren’t as user-friendly for gaming. Since you seem to enjoy tinkering, maybe try out Arch-based distros like EndeavourOS or Garuda. They tend to offer up-to-date kernels and packages that might smooth out some of your issues. That said, getting comfortable with the terminal can help immensely, so don’t shy away from learning those basics!
I totally agree, it can be tough figuring everything out. But if you like the challenge, Linux is rewarding once it works right!
100%! Each distro has its quirks, gotta figure out what works for your setup!
You nailed it with the Nvidia problems. Nvidia wasn’t designed with Linux gaming in mind, and it can lead to those headache-inducing experiences. Installing an alternative, more gaming-centric distro like CachyOS or Garuda might make a world of difference for you. Also, remember to check ProtonDB for game compatibility—some games may have specific settings that can vastly improve performance.
Great tip on checking ProtonDB! I always find super helpful tweaks there.
Right? And don’t forget to check for any available updates for the drivers! They can really change the game.
For what it’s worth, I’ve been using Pop!_OS for a while, and honestly, it’s been pretty seamless for gaming!