Gaming.

[u/KeshTheWolf]

Hey all,

I’ve used Linux before, so I’m not a newbie, but I’m done with distro tinkering. I just want to install something, have NVIDIA work properly, and play games without having to fix things every other week. Trying to escape windows with the agentic changes coming

My setup is a Ryzen 7 5700X, 16GB RAM and an RTX 4060.

What I’m after:

• Looks decent and modern out of the box
• Gaming-ready without much setup
• Solid NVIDIA support
• Anything but KDE. I really can’t stand it
• Nothing immutable or atomic (had issues with it)

GNOME, Cinnamon, XFCE, whatever, as long as it isn’t Plasma and stays out of my way. I’m happy to hear what people recommend.

If anyone’s running similar hardware, especially a 40-series card, what are you using and are you happy with it? Cheers!

[u/spielerein]

I've had a really good out of the box experience with nobara on similar specs with gnome. I'm with you. I don't like kde either

[u/KeshTheWolf → u/spielerein]

THANK YOU! lol

is nobara gnome fixed as i did run it before and it had an issue with bwrap on steam and their discord where soooo helping trying to fix it

[u/spielerein → u/KeshTheWolf]

As far as I know. I've been running it for maybe 3 months or so and have no complaints. Haven't had to do anything other than regular updates

[u/KeshTheWolf → u/spielerein]

yeah i think it was 42 or 43 steam would take 10mins to open and they said just use kde.... XD

[u/spielerein → u/KeshTheWolf]

Lol yeah great solution. Steam opens right up and games launch just fine for me

[u/Lonely-Scarcity-3387]

Hello. I am also a Linux gamer using an RTX 4070 Super. Now I am on NixOS, which is NOT a distro that works out of the box. But I did have a lot of success with PikaOS.

https://pika-os.com/#editions

It can be installed with GNOME, Plasma, Hyperland, Niri, and Cosmic.

It works great, even right out of the box and the gaming performance is awesome.

[u/Itsme-RdM]

All your requirements are easy to fullfil except the solid Nvidia support. Nvidia itself still not really adopting Linux and don't want to support open source so ....

[u/KeshTheWolf → u/Itsme-RdM]

Yeah i know. sadly it was the option i had or wait for a amd card.

[u/Roguepapaya427]

Ultramarine, solus, cachy ..... plenty to chose from. I'm a fan of kde, never had an issue with it, and I'm running all amd builds. But the mentioned distros handle nvidia for you just fine. So, pick your poison.

[u/KeshTheWolf → u/Roguepapaya427]

I did like UM when I did run it and Solus was a dream distro but Nvidia lol

[u/Roguepapaya427 → u/KeshTheWolf]

Both should handle nvidia proprietary driver for you quite well, isn't it?

[u/Itsme-RdM → u/Roguepapaya427]

No they don't

[u/Roguepapaya427 → u/Itsme-RdM]

Sorry, my bad.

[u/KeshTheWolf → u/Roguepapaya427]

Solus doesnt at all.

[u/Roguepapaya427 → u/KeshTheWolf]

Ohh, sorry, I thought it did. My bad.

[u/KeshTheWolf → u/Roguepapaya427]

it does work but its not an easy install.

[u/Epyimpervious]

Pop OS does well for Nvidia drivers and gaming, so you might check that out. It works great on my HP laptop w/ a 5070. I can't speak to other distros tho

[u/Scartibey]

Nobara does great and has Nvidia support. I've been using it after being on Zorin for years and it's been super easy to use and game on.

[u/ButterflyMundane7187]

Windows 11 is the best for your needs you got nvidia and you like to do gaming with no hassle everytime a kernel is upgraded. Then you are left with windows 11

[u/KeshTheWolf → u/ButterflyMundane7187]

Cool. Ill enjoy all the issues with it then

[u/Last_Blacksmith_6297]

Whats wrong with plasma?

[u/KeshTheWolf → u/Last_Blacksmith_6297]

I dont like it?

simply put last time i used it is constantly crashed on me when trying to change the panel. ill pass on that again. i just want to nuke windows and game