Windows to Linux
Windows to Linux
Hello everyone! Watching the WAN with Linus and Luke discussed Windows and various updates there. It seems moving to Linux could be a strong reason for some users. As someone who uses Windows, what would make you switch? For Linux users transitioning from Windows, what prompted the change? Personally, I already run Linux on most devices except my gaming PC because of compatibility issues with games and anti-cheat systems. It’s not just about playing the games I want—I need them to work properly. Let me know your thoughts, thanks!
I've shifted my workflow to Linux because of the signs pointing toward Windows 11. The recent updates make me even more confident in my choice. I've been careful to skip kernel-level anti-cheat features on Windows since I don't support them, and now it seems there are only a few essential reasons I still need Windows.
For gaming then definitely a problem, that’s why I keep a Windows PC just for that. Most of the time it was about needing the software I’d have on Linux, while still on Windows, to check if it met my requirements. For example, I moved from Paintshop Pro to GIMP (thankfully never needed those tools or couldn’t afford Photoshop), switched to VLC instead of Windows Media Player, and it’s simple to get stuck with software you’ve used a long time without thinking about open-source options that might offer everything you need. The main thing I miss is being able to adjust the voltage curve on NVIDIA GPUs in Linux, which makes the GPU less power-efficient.
Games were part of it, because it's also software. And definitely if undervolting isn't an option, it would be just as bad.
However, it really feels odd to let a PC sit idle for extended periods. For those planning a Linux transition, I’d suggest opting for a different machine instead of a dual-boot setup. A NUC or a budget laptop would suffice for everyday tasks and uses power comparable to a single gaming GPU at rest. Still, those with high-end RGB setups might find the extra lighting consuming more energy than their system can handle. Even before Microsoft’s moves, running games or sensitive applications on one PC carries risks—especially with heavy anti-cheat software embedded in the OS, which could jeopardize your setup.
For me, this adds extra expense and trouble (switching back and forth) and I’d rather not deal with it. In my situation, using Linux most of the time would leave it idle. Games, Adobe products, etc. When it comes to sensitive matters, my biggest concern is probably just banking and online shopping. In my country, OTP and 2FA are almost mandatory for nearly everything related to those areas, which can be a bit annoying sometimes. At the very least, it’s needed for local payments and some international ones.
Unfortunately, NVIDIA doesn't provide the driver for Linux. The situation gets more complicated because GWE isn't fully supported with Wayland yet. Still, you can manage GPU power and clock speeds using nvidia-smi. This works well on Windows too, since MSI Afterburner only lets you adjust voltage or clock rate. With nvidia-smi you can lower the clock speed even when Afterburner is still using the voltage curve. That’s why I wanted to check if all my regular tasks could run smoothly on Linux. At first, I dual-booted and it was more complicated—I had to pause what I was doing on Windows and switch back, only to have to do something on Windows again. Having two machines lets me play games on Windows while keeping a second monitor for normal work. It’s much easier than trying to run games reliably with a browser or chat on a second screen. So I didn’t become a daily Linux user until I dedicated a PC solely for gaming. I understand your point. I stopped using my PC for banking because 2FA requires the mobile app, so I switched entirely to that. It’s a bit inconvenient since it removes the advantage of 2FA when everything runs on one device.