Set up a dual operating system by installing both Ubuntu and Windows 10 on separate devices or partitions.
Set up a dual operating system by installing both Ubuntu and Windows 10 on separate devices or partitions.
I’m using Ubuntu 18.04 right now. I really like Linux, but a friend wants me to switch back to Windows for his gaming partner. I don’t enjoy Windows 10 much, so I’m considering dual booting. It’s been a while since many Windows versions have been released, and I need clarity on the steps.
1) My main OS will be Linux.
2) How much space should I set aside for Windows plus Steam (just the program files)?
3) I’m thinking about purchasing this SSD from pcpartpicker.com because my current drive feels poor quality, and I want a better mechanical hard disk. I plan to partition my Intel 660P that I already have for Ubuntu and Windows. Then I’ll use the 1TB SATA SSD solely for my games library. Since my games library was around 600 GB last time, 1TB should be sufficient.
When installing Windows after Linux is already set up, you might need to start from a live installation and reinstall GRUB. Windows requires a minimum of 32GB of storage, though about 60GB is better for updates. Avoid merging your game libraries between the two operating systems—Linux will handle Windows partitions, but Wine may not work smoothly with them. After some time, Windows might refuse to use it and prompt you to format the drive. The latest Windows update seems to support EXT4 partitions, but I don’t have confirmation on that. It could be inconsistent. Keep two separate partitions for reliability.
I recommend using a VM instead, though GPU passthrough may pose difficulties. Switching Windows after Linux rather than the reverse is usually more complicated, although Windows has improved in handling it over time (though the final install still controls boot settings). To reduce issues, opt for a 1TB SSD running Windows directly. Avoid partitioning based on future requirements; simply let the SSD provide exactly what’s needed. This keeps game space intact and lets you remove the OS if problems arise.
More game developers continue using poor DRM that doesn't function on Linux. I'm trying to avoid problems later or facing account bans. The last game I tried didn't run well on Linux either—No Man's Sky was one of them. I don’t think it’s a hardware issue; with a Ryzen 2600x, 16 GB RAM, and an RX5700, that game should handle 1080p smoothly. I’m fine reinstalling Linux. I’m also planning to upgrade my NAS and move what I need there. Ubuntu 20.04 is available, so I can always upgrade the OS. I might install Windows 120 GB for some buffer. But... What’s the difficulty? My main worry is that I only have about 16 GB RAM. If I use Ubuntu (which usually has at least 5 GB free) plus Windows and a game, it might not work well. One more thing—I’ll back up my drive so I don’t have to reinstall when Windows fails. How would that work in a dual-boot setup? Just keep in mind my Steam games are on a separate drive, but I plan to store the Steam library on my NAS.
I don't play Mans Sky at the highest resolution consistently; my average is 75-85 FPS, sometimes hitting 100+ in certain areas, though it can vary. I'm using a 5700XT with the ACO compiler. The RADV_PERFTEST setting is set to aco %command% in launch options. You're running a Navi Card, so upgrading to newer distributions like Arch or Manjaro would be beneficial. It usually takes a long time for updates to reach Ubuntu fully. Getting closer to the latest drivers improves your experience with Navi. I currently use chaotic-aur/proton-tkg-git, chaotic-aur/linux-tkg-pds-zen, chaotic-aur/mesa-git, and chaotic-aur/lib32-mesa-git across both systems. This setup offers strong compatibility, though mesa-git can occasionally fail. Mesa or chaotic-aur/mesa-aco-git would likely work just as well. If you intend to play games via Windows, that might not be a major concern.
Arch Linux might feel a bit complex for your needs, but I understand why you're curious about alternatives. I thought Manjaro was the go-to, while SteamOS and POPOS were popular in Ubuntu. If that's not what you're looking for, it's good to know. Regarding desktop environments, Manjaro uses a variety of options depending on your preference.
Manjaro runs on Arch, giving you many benefits Arch provides, such as the AUR. Steam functions well on most distributions. While Steam mainly focuses on Ubuntu LTS, recent updates have prompted it to consider other targets. For desktop environments, options include Gnome, KDE Plasma, and XFCE. I prefer KDE Plasma. https://manjaro.org/download/ They provide community versions, though these are community-built rather than official Manjaro releases. They should still fetch maintained packages from Manjaro repositories.
Linux handles games on a secondary disk by using a dedicated Steam SSD, which can improve backup processes to your NAS.