Switching to Bazzite from Windows 11

Boo Who?

Boo Who?

Gold Member
I finally want to get away from Windows on my gaming PC. My PC is used only for gaming. Any productivity is done on my Macbook. I am thinking Baazite is the way to go. I am currently Intel-based for my CPU (14th-gen i7) and NVIDIA for my GPU (5070ti). For the folks who have switched and use NVIDIA cards, what are your recommendations, and is there anything I should do in advance? I figured I would grab a drive from the Prime deals and dual-boot for now. I pretty much only play single-player games on my PC. Marvel Rivals is the only MP game I play there, and that is supported on Linux. I pretty much play only on Steam. I have a couple of games on Epic and Ubi. Give me the pros and cons. Should I use a different Distro? Thanks!

EDIT - How is emulation with Bazzite? I am assuming it's pretty good since it is on the Steam Deck.
 
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Last I checked Bazzite was AMD video cards only, you're SOL.

Edit: I mean the Steam Deck version of Bazzite.
Edit edit: Nvidia GPU support is currently in beta.
 
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I don't think it's worth it, especially if you're using an NVIDIA GPU. If you switch to Bazzite, you'll probably run into a lot of headaches and end up reverting to Windows (with its pros and cons). It's not worth the time

Edit: I think the safest way to migrate is to wait for an official desktop release of SteamOS
 
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I switched from Win11 to Bazzite on HTPC, vastly superior experience for living room setup with no need for kb+m, I sold my 3080 for a 7900XT in order to do so.

I would NOT recommend moving forward with an Nvidia GPU.
 
You will face a performance loss with Nvidia, which can be severe in some games, and even worse with RT games. Up to you if you feel that's worth it.
 
tried to play nioh 2 on my tiny11 desktop, cpu usage was too high so i couldn't use my 1000 hz polling rate mouse.

Went back to win 11 from a previous bazzite installation because I missed cod and battlefield but running nioh 2 butter smooth on my ancient cpu 3770 i7 made me realize how much I missed this.

browsing the internet and starting up and powering down is also much faster.

For those contemplating dual booting, install win 11 first. If you go bazzite first windows like to mess with the bootloader and ruin your bazzite partition.
 
For me Windows works fine once you tell it to STFU with the OneDrive/Office365 and Gamepass prompts. There are scripts you can run to automate this for you (make sure they are from trusted sources). Generally though if Windows is working fine, there is little to gain by switching to Linux, especially if you're not prepared to troubleshoot. If you're looking to build a cheap PC and wish to save further by not getting a Windows license, Linux can be good value.
 
kevboard said:
Linux is also trash, just in different ways
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NoGqfIyaPJS4roWr.png
 
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I love Linux, run hundreds of Linux servers for my company, and I generally try to find the open-source version of everything. I have already migrated over 50 servers away from Windows and am down to only four remaining Windows servers in my environment. In other words, I'm a huge Linux proponent.

That being said, for PC gaming I still use Windows. Until Steam releases their desktop version of the OS I just cannot justify the compatibility headaches that come with Linux. Especially given that my gaming time is super limited. I don't want to spend all my fun time troubleshooting drivers.
 
Kvally said:
Maybe Linux is trash, but it's substantially less trashy.
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it's not. especially not for gaming.
from Nvidia driver issues, to Proton compatibility issues, to DRM issues and of course anticheat issues, you'll have 10x more issues while gaming on Linux than on Windows.

the only issues windows has can easily be circumvented if you want to.

I said this in another thread before.
if you think you can deal with Linux and if you have the patience to deal with all the issues Linux will give you,
you should also be able to modify Windows to your liking and get around basically all the issues you might have with it.

getting a debloated Windows install is much more streamlined than any Linux setup.
and Windows will give you basically zero issues while gaming.
switching to Linux for gaming on a desktop or laptop PC is insane to me. it somewhat has an advantage on super low power handhelds, but that's about it.
 
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Drew1440 said:
For me Windows works fine once you tell it to STFU with the OneDrive/Office365 and Gamepass prompts. There are scripts you can run to automate this for you (make sure they are from trusted sources). Generally though if Windows is working fine, there is little to gain by switching to Linux, especially if you're not prepared to troubleshoot. If you're looking to build a cheap PC and wish to save further by not getting a Windows license, Linux can be good value.
Click to expand...


Install windows with a Windows Tool made iso or just run the program after the fact and Windows becomes alot more bearable.

The Ultimate Windows Utility

Having Fun with Technology
christitus.com christitus.com
 
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Bazzite or steam os abso-toodle-utely mop floor with the piece of shit performing windows.

It's amazing and am absolute rooting for this to take off thanks to Microprose incompetence
 
LordBritish said:
Curious why one would leave windows... it runs fine, no issues.
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windows even if you don't touch it for a month will corrupt itself with updates most of the time either breaking / reseting every adjustment you put in it. No other OS does that.
I literally have one pc running windows 11 pro that does nothing but gaming. and I mean nothing but open steam in big picture mode and playing games. Yet it still breaks all the time. :messenger_weary:
 
RoboFu said:
windows even if you don't touch it for a month will corrupt itself with updates most of the time either breaking / reseting every adjustment you put in it. No other OS does that.
I literally have one pc running windows 11 pro that does nothing but gaming. and I mean nothing but open steam in big picture mode and playing games. Yet it still breaks all the time. :messenger_weary:
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you have to be doing something wrong lol.
even with all the registry edits I do I don't get issues with it...
 
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RoboFu said:
rrrrriiiiigghhthtttttt its all in my head... im a newb that knows nothing.... im old an feeble with extreme ED and explosive diarrhea....

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the thing is, Windows issues are 90% of the time issues with third party software or hardware not adhering to Microsoft's guidelines and standards.

I quite literally had zero issues like this ever. and I am not running vanilla windows pro, so I am actually at a higher risk to encounter issues than someone who doesn't change things.
 
What is the status of Nvidia drivers for Linux? Last time I checked, folks are just better off with Windows unless they use AMD
 
Hmmm, maybe I will wait. My main issue with Windows is that updates often revert settings or reinstall bloatware that I have already removed. I might turn off updates for now.
 
Boo Who? said:
Bah. I already did and switched back to NVIDIA. I plan on eventually building a PC to connect to my TV. That might be where I go AMD and Linux. That seems like the way.
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I went down that road. I bought a 9070 XT earlier in the year and installed linux. It was fine except that waiting on support for FSR 4 was frustrating and having to hack every game myself became too much of a chore. So I went back to Nvidia and Windows. My PC is used almost entirely for gaming so felt like I was just compromising too much for AMD/Linux in its current state. If Nvidia support ever gets there then I'll be back on Linux in a heart beat. Just waiting on that day.
 
windows has a shitload of issues I find while using it for work (but still thank god its not Linux)

But it has really no problems for gaming. What's the issues here? You start steam and press play on a game library. Voila. Easiest shit ever.
 
Buggy Loop said:
windows has a shitload of issues I find while using it for work (but still thank god its not Linux)

But it has really no problems for gaming. What's the issues here? You start steam and press play on a game library. Voila. Easiest shit ever.
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until it doesn't. I have my windows gaming machine set up to where it just loads straight into steam. until after any update where it breaks that and asks me to login in and or pop up windows breaking the steams focus where I can't just use it without some form of keyboard / track pad.. OH and the keyboard better be using a usb dongle because bluetooth and windows are shit and it's not connecting until the desktop is going.

other than it usually works okay...
 
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Emulation is fantastic..
I have a $130 PC that is just a Ryzen 5 3550H with integrated graphics
Smoothly running everything up to Wii and Dreamcast and even a few PS3 games (Castlevania LOS 2 is running smooth).
if your machine is better than mine.. and I assume it is.. you'll have no issues running way over that.
 
I have an Asus rog laptop with an nvidia rtx360m and an AMD cpu. Bazzite was easy to run out of the box, but I'd recommend just using Ubuntu or Kubuntu (for a better UI). You'll get a better Linux experience.

I just used Grok to help me set everything up. Thanks to AI anyone can configure Linux now. You just copy and paste commands into the konsole.

Pretty much every game runs perfect thanks to Proton and wine will let you run anything else. Gotta say its so nice to be off Windows. I still have it on dual boot and gutted all the telemetry bullshit via command prompts. I haven't found a case where I've even had to dual boot into it yet though.
 
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Boo Who? said:
Hmmm, maybe I will wait. My main issue with Windows is that updates often revert settings or reinstall bloatware that I have already removed. I might turn off updates for now.
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I think it's the best choice for you. Making a drastic OS change would be very stressful
 
RoboFu said:
rrrrriiiiigghhthtttttt its all in my head... im a newb that knows nothing.... im old an feeble with extreme ED and explosive diarrhea....

Click to expand...
I used to have frequent corruption issues on my computer that auto booted into steam big picture mode and was used for nothing else and after like two years I discovered it had to do with my hardware (maybe my SSD?) and windows sleep mode. I disabled sleep mode on my computer and just shut it down when not in use and haven't had a problem since.
 
CachyOS is a performance-oriented Linux distribution designed for gamers who want to customize their system for optimal performance, while Bazzite is more of a plug-and-play option for users who prefer a ready-to-use gaming experience. The choice between them depends on whether you want extensive customization or ease of use.
[h2][/h2]

Overview of Bazzite and CachyOS

Bazzite

  • Type: Linux Distribution
  • Target Users: Designed for gamers who prefer a plug-and-play experience.
  • Features:
    • Pre-installed gaming tools and software.
    • User-friendly interface for quick game launches.
    • Focuses on ease of use without extensive setup.

CachyOS

  • Type: Performance-oriented Linux Distribution based on Arch Linux.
  • Target Users: Ideal for users who enjoy customizing their system for optimal performance.
  • Features:
    • Custom kernels for enhanced performance.
    • CPU-specific builds for better resource utilization.
    • User-friendly graphical installer with options for kernel and desktop environment selection.
    • Includes gaming enhancements like GameMode and compatibility with Wine/Proton.

Key Differences

BazziteCachyOS
CustomizationLimitedHigh (custom kernels, packages)
InstallationSimple, ready-to-useMore options, requires some setup
Performance FocusGeneral gamingHigh performance and responsiveness
User ExperiencePlug-and-playRequires some technical knowledge
Community SupportSmaller communityLarger, more active community

[th]
FEATURE​
[/th][th]
BAZZITE​
[/th][th]
CACHYOS​
[/th]

Conclusion

Bazzite is suitable for users who want a straightforward gaming experience without much hassle. In contrast, CachyOS caters to those who are willing to invest time in customization for better performance. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize ease of use or performance tuning.
 
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Boo Who? said:
I finally want to get away from Windows on my gaming PC. My PC is used only for gaming. Any productivity is done on my Macbook. I am thinking Baazite is the way to go. I am currently Intel-based for my CPU (14th-gen i7) and NVIDIA for my GPU (5070ti). For the folks who have switched and use NVIDIA cards, what are your recommendations, and is there anything I should do in advance? I figured I would grab a drive from the Prime deals and dual-boot for now. I pretty much only play single-player games on my PC. Marvel Rivals is the only MP game I play there, and that is supported on Linux. I pretty much play only on Steam. I have a couple of games on Epic and Ubi. Give me the pros and cons. Should I use a different Distro? Thanks!

EDIT - How is emulation with Bazzite? I am assuming it's pretty good since it is on the Steam Deck.
Click to expand...
I am gaming on Intel/Nvidia combo on Mint (-> use Cachy or Bazzite or Nobara) since half a year now and have no issues sofar. All games working out of the box and are running perfectly fine. Do I loose some frames compared to Windows? I dont care! 🤷‍♂️

At least try it out via dual boot. If you are not happy, you can still stick to Windows for gaming and use Linux for anything else.
 
LordBlodgett said:
I love Linux, run hundreds of Linux servers for my company, and I generally try to find the open-source version of everything. I have already migrated over 50 servers away from Windows and am down to only four remaining Windows servers in my environment. In other words, I'm a huge Linux proponent.

That being said, for PC gaming I still use Windows. Until Steam releases their desktop version of the OS I just cannot justify the compatibility headaches that come with Linux. Especially given that my gaming time is super limited. I don't want to spend all my fun time troubleshooting drivers.
Click to expand...
You should really give it a test drive now (Bazzite).

I spent more time dealing with Windows than I do Bazzite. I use it as HTPC 'console' and I don't even know what driver version I'm running. I just install games from Steam/holo and launch them. I don't even have a mouse+keyboard in the living room, I use the whole thing from controller.
 
Boo Who? said:
I finally want to get away from Windows on my gaming PC. My PC is used only for gaming. Any productivity is done on my Macbook. I am thinking Baazite is the way to go. I am currently Intel-based for my CPU (14th-gen i7) and NVIDIA for my GPU (5070ti). For the folks who have switched and use NVIDIA cards, what are your recommendations, and is there anything I should do in advance? I figured I would grab a drive from the Prime deals and dual-boot for now. I pretty much only play single-player games on my PC. Marvel Rivals is the only MP game I play there, and that is supported on Linux. I pretty much play only on Steam. I have a couple of games on Epic and Ubi. Give me the pros and cons. Should I use a different Distro? Thanks!

EDIT - How is emulation with Bazzite? I am assuming it's pretty good since it is on the Steam Deck.
Click to expand...

Biggest thing for Linux is learning it. I've been daily driving it since the day they cancelled "Windows 10X" and announced Windows 11. Saw the writing on the wall and got out. You're going to be using a whole new environment that you're not use to. The way I learned was to wipe windows entirely, OR in the worst case scenario, physically remove the drive from my computer and install Linux on a separate drive. The first hurdle or roadblock I had with Linux, I couldn't just reset my PC and boot to Windows. If I wanted to go back, that meant I had to physically swap my drives.
Take your time, and realize you aren't using the same platform. Things install different, files are located in places you aren't familiar with. If you treat it like windows, you'll be in for a bad time.

Also from my experience, Windows always hated my Dual boots. Would constantly ruin the bootloader, or a bunch of other random issues. Your mileage may vary on that. I know quite a few people with dual boots who have 0 issues. For me, it always felt like Windows doesn't like to play nice with other OS's.

That being said.
Emulation is fine. For the most part you can just install RetroArch, get it configured and you're set.
With gaming you'll just be enabling Proton on steam (I cant remember if Bazzite automatically does this or not. Haven't used it in a while.) It's just a selection in steams settings. 2 seconds to turn on. Afterwards its as simple as installing and clicking play.
Other launchers may take a bit of work, they aren't hard to do, just its not straight forward like windows. You'll be routing them through Lutris, Bottles, or directly through Wine. Alternatively you can install Heroic Launcher which will handle GoG, Epic and Amazon games with a ton of configuration options to really tweak it the way you want. Plus it has controller support to navigate its menus.
Personally I use Heroic as most of my gaming is done through Steam and GoG. So I don't use much else beyond that. I have Battle net installed back when the Diablo 2 remake came around, which was all routed through Bottles for me.

For distro choices. Bazzite is a pretty good choice, especially if all you're doing is gaming. I see little reason to go much further. However I will mention CachyOS as an alternative if you're looking to jump to something a bit more advanced. Easy to use, but gives you far more to work with fresh off the install.

Also ProtonDB will be your home if you want to check compatibility for gaming on Linux. It's helped me fix a few random issues over the years.
 
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