I’ve been keeping an eye on Linux gaming since the Steam Deck came out, and I’m genuinely impressed. I’ve used Windows since XP, switched to Linux with Windows 8 (for obvious reasons), then returned to Windows when I got into PC gaming. Now, I’m fed up with Windows – the AI issues, unreliable updates, and general data privacy concerns have pushed me to seek a permanent solution on Linux.
I’ve tried numerous distros like Bazzite, but I experience severe stuttering in games after a while (I’m currently playing Overwatch 2 with my wife). Endeavour was another option, but it refused to boot after updates, and I got tired of that. Ideally, I want a distro that’s close to cutting-edge since I like new features.
But I’m facing some challenges: my refresh rate feels off, even though I’m locked at 144 fps. It’s hard to describe, but it feels like V-Sync is messing with my frames, even when it’s not. I understand NVIDIA support on Linux isn’t exactly stellar, especially since I have a 4060 ASUS laptop with an AMD Ryzen 7.
I’m looking for tips on the best drivers for my 4060 and any tweaks that could help get my refresh rate feeling smooth again. Is there a distro with a kernel that works particularly well with NVIDIA? I’d love some help getting away from Windows!
3 Answers
Definitely check out CachyOS, but also Pop-OS and Ubuntu for solid NVIDIA support. They’re user-friendly and should have fewer issues when you’re gaming.
CachyOS has been fantastic for my NVIDIA setup. It’s much smoother and responsive compared to other distros I’ve tested. If you’re using KDE, try enabling ‘Allow screen tearing in fullscreen windows’ in the Display settings. This should help with that janky input lag you’re feeling—might be some weird V-Sync issue. Plus, the setup is pretty user-friendly; you’ll install software via an app called Octopi instead of Discover. There’s even an option on the first boot to fetch all the gaming apps for you!
Avoid niche distros if you’re just starting out with Linux. Bazzite, Nobara, and Endeavour can lead to confusion and lack of support, especially for newcomers. I would recommend sticking with larger distros like Ubuntu or Fedora, as you’ll get more help if you run into problems. Familiarize yourself with the basics first before diving into the more obscure options!
I’m fairly comfortable with Linux basics, but I appreciate the advice! I’m currently downloading Cachy and Manjaro to test out.
I’ve heard good things about Cachy, so I’ll definitely give it a shot. Thanks for the tip on the display settings!