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Distro Recommendations (kbin.earth)
submitted 1 week ago by HarkMahlberg@kbin.earth to c/linux_gaming@lemmy.world
118 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I have a home built PC that I want to get off Windows 11.

Specs:

  • Ryzen 3700X, upgrading to a 5800X3D soon
  • RTX 2080 Super
  • 500GB NVME for OS, 2TB SATA SSD for files, programs, etc.
  • 1440p Ultrawide monitor
  • an 8bitdo Ultimate controller

Usage:

  • I usually play indie games, emulators, and occasional AAA games. Most of my library is on Steam, with some games on GOG, e.g. Cyberpunk.
  • I have an original Steam Link in my living room, and I use it to play games from my PC on the couch. Does Steam on Linux even support this?
  • I also write game mods, so I need a distro that is a good fit for software development (C++, Python, and Lisp).
  • Random miscellany: I use mullvad VPN, stream movies from a friend's plex server, and use an SFTP client to back up photos and videos from my phone.

I've been an on/off Linux user in the past, so I know my way around basic/intermediate terminal usage and configuration. Buuuut every previous attempt to move to Linux ended in disaster, so I have little patience for asterisks, strings attached, etc. If you're offering a distro I've never heard of before, you're probably gonna be hard pressed to convince me.

Thanks for the help!

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[-] FunnySalt@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Almost any distro will work for pretty much all of that. Only potentially limiting thing I see there I don't think that the Mullvad VPN client is generally available within distro repositories. Their site says it has clients available for Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora. So perhaps pick from one of those?

For the steam link question, I know if I have a game running on my desktop it presents me the option to stream to my laptop (both Linux machines). I assume this is the same functionality. I don't use it so can't speak to how well it works.

Edit: It occurs to me this comment lacks a recommendation. Within the three listed supported distros for Mullvad, I think I'd recommend Fedora for you. Been some years since I used it last but I remember the installer being fairly robust and intuitive while still easy to use, and a pretty rock solid system once it's up and running.

[-] prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 6 days ago

You can add the Mullvad repo and get the package from there.

Or yeah, the .rpm file on the site works fine, but you'll just have to manually update it whenever there's a new version.

this post was submitted on 03 Jul 2026
67 points (95.9% liked)

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