I’m planning to switch to Linux for my work, and while I think the transition will be smooth, I’m concerned about gaming. I really want access to Game Pass to play games with my friends. For a backup solution for gaming on Windows, should I go with a dual boot setup or use a VM with GPU passthrough? I know dual boot is generally more reliable, but a VM seems more convenient. I saw someone do it successfully in a video, but I’m not sure if that’s the best route. Any thoughts?
5 Answers
If you have a spare disk, I would definitely recommend going for a dual boot setup. It’s much more reliable, especially if you’re new to Linux. Setting up GPU passthrough in a VM can be tricky and might lead to issues if you miss a step or your configuration isn’t ideal.
Yeah, dual boot is the way to go! No hardware check issues, and you won’t accidentally get locked out of games as you might with a VM. It’s much easier in the long run, especially when it comes to compatibility.
From my experience, I suggest sticking to dual booting. GPU passthrough in a VM can be quite a pain to set up, especially for newcomers. Plus, a lot of online games may block VMs, which makes dual boot the safer option.
I’m in a similar position, using Linux for work and dual booting with Windows for gaming. I have a setup with an NVMe SSD for Linux and a regular SSD for Windows. It’s convenient, and I can choose which OS to boot into with just a quick press. Honestly, the restart time is minimal, and it allows me to avoid issues with anti-cheat games.
There’s also a subreddit for GPU passthrough (r/VFIO) that could help if you’re still considering that route. But be warned, it can get complicated, particularly with a single GPU setup.
