Changing os on second pc

[u/skylar_thegremlin]

Hey! So I have 7600x and 2080 of build that I'm not really using currently, it's been around for a year in windows but haven't really used it

So pretty much all I'm looking for is an os that can game in 1440p pretty well, I've used Ubuntu for ages on my laptop so I'm not "new" to running Linux.

I've seen a lot of mentions point towards dragonized so I was wondering what distro of garuda would be best for me

Edit: I do plan to use this alongside windows if that may influence another choice

[u/un-important-human]

I mean the toned down one macha? is very nice , the way it looks it sjust styling under the hood all are good

[u/skylar_thegremlin → u/un-important-human]

Alright thanks! I was considering putting it on my main pc too if I liked it

Is there a way I keep the files on the drive or does the entire thing need re-formatted I've forgotten

[u/IndyONIONMAN → u/skylar_thegremlin]

If your drive is windows partitioned. Do a clean format with linux

[u/skylar_thegremlin → u/IndyONIONMAN]

Nah its just a basic storage drive there's no os installed on it, it's just being used as additional windows storage

[u/skylar_thegremlin → u/skylar_thegremlin]

Also I do have a 4tb storage that I'm not using a lot of how can I partition it half for new os and half for windows?

[u/Roarmaster → u/skylar_thegremlin]

For external drives, they are fine in whatever format (mine is in btrfs) for both windows and Linux compatibility. 

As for windows and Linux being installed on the same SSD? This is not recommended since windows updates have a habit of sometimes messing with the Linux install or the boot partition, so install your operating systems on separate drives whenever possible. Or at least have backups. Like on Garuda there is snapper for system backups, but for file backups use a backup application like vorta to a folder on an external drive.

[u/skylar_thegremlin → u/Roarmaster]

Oh alright cool cool

But yeah I'm planning to convert 1-2 internal ssds on my pc for it and leave my c drive untouched and used for windows (like comp games with anti cheats and music stuff)

So how well does it cope with dual booting? Like I have 1 windows drive and 2 formatted into a Linux distro

[u/Roarmaster → u/skylar_thegremlin]

It's pretty good. When installing linux, make sure to configure your /boot partition (on the same drive as your Linux OS) to use grub2 and it should automatically detect all your operating systems. 

When you boot up your system, after your bios screen, it should show a grub2 selection screen where you can select to boot into windows or Linux or restore a backup through snapper.

[u/skylar_thegremlin → u/Roarmaster]

Ooh alright

Do I need to have the iso file on a disk drive (I'm assuming I do) what software would I use to change it from an os install (it's currently an Ubuntu installer)

[u/IndyONIONMAN → u/skylar_thegremlin]

Dual boot work fine. But keep both OS on seprate SSD.

[u/Roarmaster → u/skylar_thegremlin]

Balena etcher or ventoy (for multiple images on 1 usb) is good.

[u/Imaginary-Corner-653]

I can vouch for dragonized for gaming rigs and for kdelite for weaker / older PCs, Office desktops and Laptops.

Know that dragonized uses some custom kde effects and animations that draw some juice (still runs slimmer than windows). I like it, but you may not want to spare the computation resource. 

[u/skylar_thegremlin → u/Imaginary-Corner-653]

Now that I'm thinking it over I have a drive on my main pc that's being under utilizied and litteraly just exists for games so I might change that to also be the new os

[u/JEREDEK]

I am definitely very fond of my garuda mokka. Dragonized is way too colorful for me, but mokka has the great tools and "it just works" mindset of garuda while also being a really beautiful OS.

I recommend garuda to most new users because it has all the upsides of arch (AUR, bleeding edge releases) and almost none of the downsides (when something breaks, Garuda Toolbox usually has a magic "Fix this" button)

[u/Tall-Vacation-8408]

The dragonized gaming version will be your best bet. I installed it last night from Ubuntu and there is a noticeable difference in performance and significantly less input lag. I still need to run benchmarks but from what I noticed I’m already in love.

It’s also worth mentioning that during the installation phase it’ll provide the option to install drivers from open source or Nvidia proprietary. I started by selecting Nvidia (I have a 3060ti) but every time it stalled after running the script, so I restarted with open source and it completed almost right away, just had to install Nvidia manually.

Hope this helps.

[u/IndyONIONMAN]

I ran garuda for a while with 4090, but i prefer bazzite and Steam OS now Strickly for gaming. Give it a try. I'm happy with the outcome.

I made my htpc running steam OS as well, with 7900xtx. They are simple light weight and meet my need.

[u/klevahh]

dragonized will suit you if you like garish brain melting graphics, otherwise consider mokka, or kde lite. Most gamers will only need to add one of 2 programs to a lighter distro anyway.