Moving to Linux advice
Moving to Linux advice
Hi all. Over the last couple of weeks I've been thinking about switching from Windows 11 to Linux. I've gathered a lot of information about general Linux usage and optimal configurations for gaming, especially with NVIDIA cards. My goal is to install OpenSUSE Tumbleweed alongside KDE, but I have some uncertainties. That's why I thought it would be helpful to discuss this here.
1. I own two drives—C: and D:—used in my Windows installation. Linux uses a hierarchical filesystem, so I want to keep my Windows filesystem on the first SSD while moving game files and personal data to the second one.
2. During the setup of OpenSUSE (and similar distros), you can choose various file systems. I’m leaning toward ext4 for performance and btrfs for stability because it supports snapshots. Which would suit my needs best?
3. My NVIDIA graphics card is present, and I’ve noticed Linux support for it improves. However, KDE’s default is Wayland, which can be unstable with certain cards. I’m looking for ways to make it more reliable.
4. For academic purposes, I rely on MS Office and other Windows-only programs. I plan to run a VM in my future Linux system so I can use those apps without issues. These are my main concerns/questions. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks ahead!
I don’t have any background with openSUSE. Would it make more sense to choose something more common like Ubuntu, Pop!_OS, Manjaro, Fedora, or even Arch? If you’re open to it, partitioning your C drive for Linux could work too. I haven’t tried BTRFS yet, but EXT4 performs well. Based on what I know, EXT4 offers solid recovery and good performance for everyday use. BTRFS might suit critical data better. Nvidia recently mentioned improving Wayland support, though I’m not sure how it looks on their current X11 version. For now, I’m uncertain about Wayland’s stability with Intel graphics. If you try it, you can always switch to X11 and use GNOME instead. Some users dislike GNOME initially, but after using it, they find it the most refined Linux desktop experience. It’s also highly customizable. You might want to explore alternatives like LibreOffice, FreeOffice, or WPS Office if you’re not into MS Office clones.
These options may function. Sometimes formatting problems or compatibility issues arise. Since this is for school, professors might be strict about formatting or opening files. I’ve tried both Windows and Steam OS; Steam lets you install games on any drive. Most other launchers should work similarly.
Not exactly what you need. I'm just looking to run Linux on both of my drives so files can be split between two SSDs. Thanks for clarifying! Yes, but as @Donut417 pointed out later, these options might cause compatibility problems. I even tested LibreOffice for Windows and didn't like it. Appreciate your help!
OpenSUSE offers powerful features but isn’t the easiest to navigate. If I began today, I’d choose Bazzite. 1. Linux applications are limited to the main SSD. For personal data, create a separate folder under Home and use KDE Partition Manager to attach your second SSD partition. 2. EXT4 isn’t the fastest option. XFS or F2FS might perform better depending on your needs; EXT4 should work if memory allows. 3. The newest Nvidia driver works smoothly even with Wayland. You can add Hyprland with KDE, which is convenient. 4. A virtual machine for Office tasks is straightforward. OpenOffice works well with most Windows files, so you’ll face few problems beyond adapting to a new workflow. Ideally, start with Bazzite to become comfortable with Linux before moving to OpenSUSE. The trade-off is you might not install Hyprland initially, but once you’re more familiar, you can switch to OpenSUSE without much difficulty.
To run your games on Linux, avoid using an NTFS drive—they won't function. Opt for a different filesystem instead.
Sure! Both Bazzite and Nobara are popular choices for gaming, but they differ in their underlying systems. While they share a Fedora base, each has its own unique features and configurations tailored to different user preferences.
The drive must remain formatted as EXT4. Steam supports creating libraries on any drive. You configure a Steam Library on D:, then install games within that library. The process functions identically to Windows for installing and transferring games between secondary libraries.