You have both Windows and Linux set up and require guidance.
You have both Windows and Linux set up and require guidance.
The 1080 Ti could add a small challenge, but it's manageable. Linux Nvidia drivers can be unpredictable and may require some tweaking based on the distribution. Pop_OS and most Arch-based systems are relatively straightforward for installing drivers since they come pre-installed or install quickly. With enough effort, you can usually get it running on any system. Nvidia drivers offer less polish and stability compared to AMD, but they remain functional. Keep in mind that upgrading later might push you toward the GPU community on Red for Linux support. The 1800X CPU should handle itself, though the motherboard might need compatible drivers for peripherals like the wireless card. I haven't found a board that prevents smooth installation after setup.
I recommend going with Linux Mint. It's the version I began with and I haven't needed much outside of my own experience. The key reason I suggest this distro is its consistent performance. I tested it on an older laptop with a dedicated AMD GPU, and everything worked perfectly out of the box—browsing the web, streaming audio/video, making calls online, and playing games through Steam. What stood out was the stability thanks to its Ubuntu foundation, which is built on Debian. This gives access to a wide range of software suitable for everyday use or specific student requirements. It offers a smooth entry into Linux, letting you install programs via terminal or the built-in package manager. While using the terminal can feel a bit tricky compared to Windows, you'll quickly grasp the basics—installing, updating, and removing apps. Using a trusted source is a big plus; you simply request what you need, and it delivers without the hassle of searching for the right software or risking malware. Of course, there are alternatives for installing outside the package manager, but I think beginners should stick with it initially. Personally, the three editions—Cinnamon, MATE, and XFCE—provide a familiar Windows-like interface, making the switch to dual-boot or eventually switching entirely much easier. The best part is you can experiment with each edition in the live environment, explore it for a few hours, and decide what feels right.
Linux package management offers a smooth experience regardless of the distribution you use. Fixing mistakes is straightforward, and errors have minimal impact. When using apt to remove something crucial, it’s best to practice on a backup system first. You can handle mistakes occasionally without too much hassle. Always read each command carefully before executing it. If someone asks you to run something, consult the manual thoroughly and clarify any unclear sections. Initial use might feel awkward, but it becomes more natural over time.
It's likely late today, but if you haven't yet set up Linux, consider checking out Garuda Linux KDE Dragonized (https://garudalinux.org/downloads.html). As an Arch-based system, it offers continuous updates without needing full reinstallations, similar to moving from Windows 10 to 11 or Ubuntu versions. Since it runs on Arch, built-in AURs are available, eliminating the need for additional PPAs or repositories—most apps already support them. Another benefit is that the initial setup is straightforward for beginners, guiding you through simple steps and prompting you to install necessary drivers like Nvidia.
It seems you're considering an in-place upgrade. It might not be the best idea, but it's something that has been available on Windows for a long time.
I recall how Windows updates often rename the previous version and don’t always retain all installed programs. This can become frustrating over time, making a clean install more appealing for saving space. Personally, I haven’t used Windows on any system since Windows 8. The software management seems to handle updates efficiently, avoiding unnecessary disk usage and eliminating the need for reinstalling apps post-update. Still, since I haven’t touched Windows since then, that’s largely my perspective.
I wish I could explain what occurs in that situation on Mint (or more precisely, with apt—the package manager used by Mint)—but with Pacman (the package manager found in Arch and Arch-based distributions), mistyping something would just inform you that the requested package wasn't found and do nothing further. I don’t think there’s much difference in how it behaves between these managers. If I’m correct, the most annoying outcome would likely be a minor inconvenience. Just press the up-arrow key in your terminal to recall your last command, then adjust the name and try again. Today, Linux is much more dependable and consistent compared to what I remember about Windows, which was quite unsettling in my view. Now, with Windows... I once needed to restart the computer quickly so I wouldn’t wait for an update to complete. That was a poor decision, of course, but not as bad as Windows failing entirely and rolling back the update (which should happen properly for any software with real logic). And then there was another HDD that got corrupted, messing up data after a clean install because it mistakenly treated it as the system drive. That was a disaster. Linux, on the other hand? Since it gives you control, you can fix similar issues without having to reinstall everything. I’ve never faced a problem that couldn’t be resolved or at least made easier to handle. Even if I had messed up permissions across all my files, I could still diagnose and fix the issue. So, don’t be afraid. Reinstalling Linux Mint might seem daunting, but it’s a straightforward process if you need to. As a widely used Linux distribution, fixing problems is usually much simpler and more transparent than what you might experience with Windows.
Hmm, this seems to resemble a popular tiled desktop setup from the past. You might want to explore Garuda BSPWM, Garuda i3WM or Garuda Sway for an authentic look. All three are available on the Garuda download page. You can also install any of these desktop environments on other Linux distributions and use them at login, though I suggest testing the Garuda versions first as liveCDs before finalizing. Tiled desktops differ greatly from what we're used to on Linux, macOS or Windows. I recall trying i3WM or Sway as a LiveCD or USB, but it was quite a drastic shift from my usual experience. I’m sure it would get easier over time, but it took me a while to grasp how the interface functioned. One of the biggest challenges was understanding how games would load, even though I didn’t bother to investigate further.