Moving to Linux Comprises to be made?

smogsy

smogsy

smogsy

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So, Im considering moving my main Gaming Desktop (currently W8.1) to linux.
Now i know This seems a bad idea but looking for your feedback & answers on a few questions.

1. Does nvidia gsync work on Linux yet?
2. How is SLI on Linux nowdays?

Idea #1

1. Run Linux as on Gaming PC full move to linux, Currently 78/500 Games on my steam is supported.

idea #2

1. Make my Gaming PC. Auto Boot & load up Steam in Big Picture Mode (using W8.1)

2. Use Linux for everything else. including webbrowsing

idea #2 would also increase secruity of W8.1, lot less likely to get bad software/malware due to steam/Origin only.

whats your thoughts & have you done this?
 
To move completely to Linux you need to be prepared to make some sacrifices, firstly Origin might need to go, it doesn't work very well on Linux under Wine, and when it does work only games using a 32bit client will run.
As you already pointed out only a couple of your steam games work natively on Linux, are you willing to give all the rest up?
Also, only Valve so far have managed to make their games outperform their Windows versions, everyone else isn't having as much luck translating their games to OpenGL, so an idea would be to wait it out until Vulkan has made its mark.
Gsync and SLI work perfectly fine though.

With all that said, I switched to Linux soon after Valve said they were switching and haven't regretted it at all, but that doesn't mean to say you won't.
So I suggest #2 until you feel you can fully switch.
 
MadMossy said:
Really tempted to make the switch myself but 3 of the games I play from time to time are not linux native (elite dangerous, wow and guildwars 2).

Unless anyone can correct me on the above :)
Click to expand...

It's the only reason why I keep a win partition, Been on linux since the late 90's. infact didn't have windows for a good 4/5 years. Only installed it to play BF3 and Planetside2. One of the reasons I never backed ED was they stated they want interested in doing a Linux port :(

The only thing I do in windows is BF4(now)/Star-citizen and PS2, though SC is coming to *nix too. :D

Smogsy, Don't know what experience you have with Linux but if you are new dont dive in on the expectation of it been windows but slightly different. You will only get yourself frustrated and/or put off by it. ;)
 
Quite honestly I wouldn't overcomplicate it. Gaming on Windows is tried, tested, and supported far better than on Linux. No idea on performance but it'll probably be a fair bit better on Windows too (for the titles available in the first place!). Provided that it is compatible with everything you need, Linux is a great desktop option. So why not play to the strengths of each if you have both?

All your games on Windows, all your work on Linux.
 
Archeum said:
Why would you want to do this?
Click to expand...
Heres my desktop so far

Full view
Aw8Q1C5l.jpg
more to the question why not?
if games all ran on Linux would you even ask?


but to answer your question.
I believe in Linux more to not screw end-users

just few example that "could" happen:
Direct X is only for X OS
You must login into a MS account to use X features.
Windows store software only
looking at my data & reselling.

With Linux
New Kernels every few months
Less likely to screw over end-users
Someone would most likely find Looking for data code
Better Stability (in theory)


Now, i have Dual booted Got:
GSYNC working 1 tick box
SLI working 1 tick box.

Steam
TF2 = works better than Windows
(example: can move it to any screen inside gfx options & it doesn't crash like windows)

City Skylines = Works better in windows supports multi monitors out the box too.

going to try others. & try out Wine with EA/Uplay

Only downside i found was moving to The very latest release (experimental)
NV driver caused issues, but you would get that on Windows to running W10 with very early patches.

i want to move to move to Linux full time. the more that are linux, the bigger user base. big players will see Linux is viable for Games.

Steam have made a Complier for Linux
Steam are making a Linux debugger to help the community too.

Steam are on-board wont be to long till others follow. are you going to stay on windows if they do?
 
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I have been linux for a good part of 2+ years in a working environment and 100% prefer it over windows in a working environment.

I to have pondered moving to a linux OS for gaming although the only thing holding me back is the lack of driver support it has. There has been a fair few posts in about games running on Linux achieving higher FPS and better game play, LFD2 for example..

Once i see more driver support heading towards Linux i will be swapping without a doubt. and i mean real support not just running everything through wine lol.

I'll sub to this thread and keep an eye on your progress as i am rather interested.

What games have you currently got up and running in a playable state so far?

Cheers
 
Ashley Jordan said:
I have been linux for a good part of 2+ years in a working environment and 100% prefer it over windows in a working environment.

I to have pondered moving to a linux OS for gaming although the only thing holding me back is the lack of driver support it has. There has been a fair few posts in about games running on Linux achieving higher FPS and better game play, LFD2 for example..

Once i see more driver support heading towards Linux i will be swapping without a doubt. and i mean real support not just running everything through wine lol.

I'll sub to this thread and keep an eye on your progress as i am rather interested.

What games have you currently got up and running in a playable state so far?

Cheers
Click to expand...

waiting on Kernel 3.17 TBH which will bring some key game changes & Inbuilt Xbox One Controller support (Xbox360 already supported)
But new Input mechanics for ease of use. for all controller types

TF2 = no issues Better than Win
Shank 2 = issue with screen res easy done by changing resolution (it spanned across botth screens by default)

Cities Skylines = Works Perfectly

apparently kernel 3.20 is already available to use but no one has put in their distro yet :(
 
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Ashley Jordan said:
What games have you currently got up and running in a playable state so far?
Click to expand...

From the games I play/played;
Borderlands series are pretty much the same as Windows
Chivalry Medievil warfare: isn't as good yet, but is still an early release.
Trine : As good as Windows
Minecraft: better than Windows
Cities skylines: still needs quite a bit of work on performance, but is being updated quite fast
Portal 1&2: same as Windows
HL2 +E1&2: better than Windows
TF2: better than Windows
Garrys Mod: better than Windows
Serious sam 3: no where near as good as Windows
Dolphin, Higan and PJ64 emulators; all much better than Windows (and pj64 is Wine)

It is still early days for Linux yet (for gaming), but it's not a bad time to switch now.

@smogsy, I see you have a nvidia card, are you suffering from screen tearing at all?
 
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stopper said:
From the games I play/played;
Borderlands series are pretty much the same as Windows
Chivalry Medievil warfare: isn't as good yet, but is still an early release.
Trine : As good as Windows
Minecraft: better than Windows
Cities skylines: still needs quite a bit of work on performance, but is being updated quite fast
Portal 1&2: same as Windows
HL2 +E1&2: better than Windows
TF2: better than Windows
Garrys Mod: better than Windows
Serious sam 3: no where near as good as Windows
Dolphin, Higan and PJ64 emulators; all much better than Windows (and pj64 is Wine)

It is still early days for Linux yet (for gaming), but it's not a bad time to switch now.

@Smogsy, I see you have a nvidia card, are you suffering from screen tearing at all?
Click to expand...

Gsync baby :) working flawlessy
 
This is my Post of Testing,
Ill try keep this up to date as much as possible on my testing only.
Should be Easy Installations
Installing Steam = PASS
- simply do:
PHP: 
sudo apt-get install steam
- follow prompts. (on Debain variants)
Click to expand...
NVidia Drivers = FAIL
- you either try to add as additional drivers which fails for me every install or you add a custom edge PPA (easy)
PHP: 
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:xorg-edgers/ppa
& ask it to install via
PHP: 
sudo apt-get install NVidia-XXX  "XXX" being first 3 numbers of driver
could be much better experience
this requires you purge this PPA if moving releases!

OR you try an run the .run file from NV which requires root & fails most of the time.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Software Functionality
- Steam = PASS
- Same functionality as windows

NVidia Features
- Gsync = PASS
- SLI = Acceptable...

SLI scaling 80-100% from my testing so far.
SLI does not work with Dual Monitors on (Requires more testing) but NV forum also states this.
Click to expand...
Game Functionality
Testing
1. Game is One click install or (same as windows)
2. Game launches & works out of the box. with no fiddling
3. Game plays well With Good FPS no Glitches

TF2 = PASS
- works flawlessly even allowing you to switch screens inside the menu without breaking the game

Shank 2 = PASS
Minor Issue:
it saw my screens as in Span Mode (which it was) But when displaying was not correctly aligned Changing resolution fixed this. Pass due to easy resolution change & could see the menu without modification.

City Skylines = PASS
- No issues seen.

Rogue Legacy = PASS
- Works Perfectly out of the box no issues What so ever.

Xcom Enemy Unknown = PASS
- No issues seen.
Click to expand...
 
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I use Linux every day for work on both a desktop and laptop. I have a linux home server, laptop and thin itx build with just a windows install for gaming currently.

I need X-fire support and BF4, ARMA 3 and GTA5 on Linux then I'm fully converted.
 
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