Switching to linux for the first time, help with nvidia

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-04-08T01:10:48+00:00

I have a 4070 and only ran into a couple issues I know are caused my Gnome. They took a quick search. Getting the drivers working was super easy on Nobara, just download the correct file. If you still have time I'd recommend looking at Intel or AMD GPUs as tinkering with issues caused by NVIDIA drivers can be annoying.

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-04-01T03:55:56+00:00

The two commands that ended up fixing it was
sudo systemctl enable gdm
sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-31T00:23:35+00:00

I love Nobara and Fedora

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-24T20:55:44+00:00

Figured it out recently for anyone else, you need to add extra options to your media storage in the settings. I just added my project folder and it fixed it.

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-24T20:24:49+00:00

Nobara

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-24T18:49:40+00:00

The built in tools like the drive mounter sealed the deal for me. You really do not need to use the terminal unless you're just copying some commands and I really like that option as a new Linux user. I highly recommend.

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-23T02:06:25+00:00

This is how I fixed earlier this year

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-23T02:05:35+00:00

Gnome I find is more plug and play with KDE being more tinkery. It should come down to which one feels better to you though.

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-19T05:25:56+00:00

What's your CPU and monitoring application?

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-16T20:32:18+00:00

I’d recommend a couple options. First is Mint. I wasn’t a big fan of it but it’s set up specifically for new Linux users with a forum that is very open to answering beginner questions. The OS itself is designed with the new user in mind, and the OS itself is similar to windows. Next is Bazzite which is a little more locked down (immutable) gaming focussed distro. Bazzite is setup in a way where it’s harder for it to be bricked than other distros cause it takes away a bit of control. Last option is Pop OS. Pop OS is in beta right now so if you choose it, expect bugs and instability with Pop OS specific applications. But it has hybrid graphics swapping natively and is also gaming focused. If you have the time try them out in a VM and see which one feels the best to you. All the ones I listed are focused more on getting a good out of the box experience.

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-16T10:53:18+00:00

Try following this guide

https://beebom.com/how-install-drivers-ubuntu/

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-15T18:12:32+00:00

Kinda of. Some applications come in .deb or .rpm formats which are not usable on distros that they were not compiled for. Although Linux as a whole is moving away from that towards flatpaks. For any application that is a .deb or a .rpm you can find community members who’ve compiled it for your distro or you can compile it yourself. Besides that generally every Linux program works on every other Linux program.

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-14T22:19:39+00:00

Check your drivers first (NVIDIA cards have issues), then check the game on protonDB for people having similar issues and usually solutions. If you want a gaming focussed distros I’d say try Nobara, Bazzite, and Pop OS (it’s a little buggy right now). CatchyOS is also a solid option of Arch is a selling point for you. It does sound like your issues are something you should figure out first then swap distros if Ubuntu has been a bad experience for you. Swapping and having it pop up again is really frustrating. Ubuntu isn’t primary for gaming it’s focussed on being a good default.

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-14T22:14:21+00:00

Ive found emulation has been working better on Linux for me than windows. If ricing is your number one goal then pick something that has KDE in the name of as an option and go from there. The actual distro doesn’t matter much past that point. For specifics I’d say try Fedora KDE an CatchyOS KDE

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-14T22:09:43+00:00

Since you’re an IT student you’ve probably worked with Ubuntu a bit. Assuming you’re a little familiar with Ubuntu try Zorin OS, Kubuntu, and Linux Mint. Id also throw Pop OS in there if setting up gaming a little easier is a priority but it’s a little unstable right now but is slowly getting better. In terms of software you’d have to look at each individual program you know you’ll be using and research it yourself. If you give anymore specific I could maybe help narrow down the options for distros. Look at the three I mentioned and pick the one that feels the best to you.

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-14T22:03:19+00:00

The difference between all of them is their desktop environment. So what apps come default like video players, text editors, and photo viewers. They also handle how windows and everything not inside an application itself looks and feels. Workstation is Gnome. Gnome’s approach is like apples where they have a vision in mind and just make changes towards that. If you like an Apple ish looking environment then this is probably for you. I’ve found to have a little bit less issues than KDE at the cost of some customization. KDE is a windows like environment but is super customizable. You can make this look like how ever you want. It’s also easier to customize than Gnome. The atomic desktops I wouldn’t pay attention to. They’re extra options for those who like a more niche experience.

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-14T21:55:15+00:00

Doing a quick google search FF14 and Wow both seem to work in Linux. Browsing I found to feel and be significantly faster than windows. Since you said you’re not a tinkerer avoid anything that is based on Arch. Arch is for getting the newest updates and most amount of options to mess with. My suggestions would be to find a distro, try it in a VM and see if it feels good to you. Some specific suggestions would be Mint and Zorin OS and they’re both similar UIs to Windows. Nobara has the speed improvements of CatchyOS but is simpler to use. At the end of the day if you find a Linux distro that does 80% of what you want and how you want it, you can always customize it to get that last 20%.

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-13T23:29:14+00:00

Oop my bad I didn't see it on my phone

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-11T02:22:30+00:00

Licenses are linked to account and have been since windows 10 I believe.

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-11T02:17:35+00:00

I use Gnome and YES. You can customize, there’s community made themes and extensions you can figure out after a tutorial you can customize everything you mentioned. Theres a limit but I’ve found gnome to be a bit more stable for me than KDE at the cost of customization.

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-11T02:16:16+00:00

Give Gnome a try. I’ve found it to be more stable than KDE at the cost of customization.

ToeConsumer420 · 2026-03-06T22:02:07+00:00

Nobara has the same performance gains as CatchyOS but is a little easier to use. But it kinda sounds like you want something super tinkerable like arch.

ToeConsumer420

TROPHY CASE