Consider exploring Linux by starting with beginner-friendly guides and official resources.
Consider exploring Linux by starting with beginner-friendly guides and official resources.
I've been following Linus' Linux tutorials and decided I wanted to learn something new this year. I'm unsure where to begin and which Linux distribution suits me best. My main focus will be gaming and streaming, so I need a system that supports those tasks well. I own a 7950X3D and a 3080TI graphics card, along with a 2i2 audio interface. I was considering Zorin OS and the installation guide suggested wiping Windows from my hard drive. I have a 2TB NVMe SSD inside my PC. Can I simply install Linux on that drive while keeping my Windows partition intact?
You can install another drive besides the one with Windows OS to test it, though based on my experience it's best to keep each OS on its dedicated drive. If this is your first attempt at virtualization, researching it now could help you avoid major issues later.
If you're just exploring and want to avoid disrupting your setup, using virtual machines is a good idea instead of installing directly on your hardware. VMWare and VirtualBox are simple to configure. For beginners, consider these distros: Fedora Linux Mint Pop!_OS (popular for gaming thanks to pre-installed Steam), Ubuntu (with Kubuntu or Xubuntu options), and Zorin OS.
Dual-booting is possible and often successful, but I wouldn’t attempt it without first backing up your Windows setup or having a bootable USB ready. As a novice, I’d avoid complex steps like shrinking partitions or fixing boot issues. Instead, I’d use an affordable SSD, install Linux there, and run PopOS on it. It’s user-friendly, supports Nvidia drivers, and works well with Ubuntu guides. For installation, create a bootable USB using Ventoy, follow the prompts, and reboot to select it. This method bypasses many pitfalls and keeps your main system safe. Let me know if you need further clarification!
On different distributions, I suggest Pop!_OS for everyday tasks (including gaming) or, if you're comfortable checking forums in the Discord community when issues arise (attribution to NVIDIA is fair), proceed with caution. Make sure to choose wisely!
When starting, here are some tips: Nobara runs on Fedora Linux, which is second only to Ubuntu/Debian in support, though it's behind them. A dual-boot configuration works well for both. Nobara allows resizing a Windows partition directly on the disk and installing it alongside the installer—just one click should suffice. For partition setup, manual methods are available via Discord or the website’s resources; they’re simpler than some alternatives.
With Pop!_OS, you must resize the Windows partition in Windows before installation. The i2o audio feature is standard-compliant and doesn’t require extra software. You’ll need to download NVIDIA drivers from both distros and create bootable USBs using BalenaEtcher. After installation, format the USB if you don’t intend to retain it (useful for troubleshooting).
Remember, neither distribution supports Secure Boot by default—you’ll need to turn it off in the BIOS. This update was made on January 6, 2024 by LvBeethoven.
Consider getting a Steam Deck or numerous OEM pre-installed Linux machines to skip the DIY effort and enjoy a seamless experience similar to purchasing a regular computer from a store.
I purchased a Steam Deck because I liked playing with it, though Leigon’s Windows isn’t ideal for portable gaming since it lacks suspend/resume. I plan to get a dock later and explore SteamOS to experience Linux more closely.