Should i switch to linux?
Should i switch to linux?
It sounds like Linux could be really interesting. I’m considering setting it up on a backup system and starting there. Even though these tasks seem enjoyable, missing out on gaming would be disappointing for me. I’d probably go with a dual-boot setup or a second machine—thanks a lot!
I've been curious about moving to Linux and have experimented with it occasionally in a virtual environment. About a few years ago, I finally set it up on my PC, but the process was quite frustrating. I often had to navigate the terminal for basic tasks, which was really annoying. Has anything changed since then? Driver support seems improved, and I can now access higher resolutions than before. The GUI allows me to adjust settings without needing to open the terminal. Installing software used to require manual terminal commands, like changing repositories or sources in Synaptic. There are also programs that only come as source code, meaning you have to compile them yourself before using them. The biggest issue was the lack of community support—asking for help felt like dealing with dismissive responses. Overall, Linux has become more user-friendly, especially when it comes to everyday operations. While some frustrations remain, the experience is much smoother now compared to the past.
I set up Ubuntu 17.10 on my laptop for streaming Netflix to my daughter. The Windows version was slow and caused lag, so I switched to using it on a virtual machine. I’d recommend testing it in a VM first before committing to a physical setup.
Driver assistance has gotten better, particularly with nVidia cards. I just installed Mint Mate 18.2 on my TR system yesterday. It’s straightforward in that OS: open Driver Manager, select the desired driver, click Install, restart the computer and you’re good to go. You won’t have to blacklist new drivers anymore. The distros have seen nice updates over the past couple of years. Regarding community help, I rarely joined Linux forums; I usually connect with folders and boincers who use Linux. They’re generally more supportive for Linux problems. For you, the OP, you can install Linux easily from a CD/DVD, USB, or VM. You can try different distros without affecting your current OS. You don’t need huge USB drives—Mint 18.2 worked fine on a 2GB stick. I often switch between my main rig on W7 and my 24/7 F@H/BOINC machine running Linux.
I will have to look. I know of one big AMD Folder over on OCN that if I remember right runs the majority of his cards on a Linux distro. If I had an AMD card on hand, I do a quick check on Mint. But, I did find this from AMD themselves on install proceedure for the Pro Drivers. http://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-articles...stall.aspx
For planning your gaming on that PC running Linux, it might not be worthwhile unless you go with Linux Mint for a Windows-like experience. If Linux lacked good gaming support and other useful apps, I’d opt for Windows instead. I prefer Windows 7 over switching to Linux.
Your card is outdated, giving you some hope. For example, vega would struggle significantly in this situation.
I guess I have nothing better to do this weekend except test it out myself. Just back everything up with Acronis first so I can restore quickly if I really don’t like the process. Edit: Forgot I’ve got an old HDD, so I’ll just drop it into my hot-swap bay and install it there—this way, nothing else will be affected. I’ll unplug my SSD just in case it messes with the bootloader.
It's definitely worth giving it a shot, but the software support seems to be a major issue. While Microsoft is making progress, its widespread adoption remains limited. I'll stick with Windows 7 until gaming becomes more common.