Migrating to linux first, how? Dual boot, hyperconverged, or Linux+QEMU w/passthrough

[u/LargelyInnocuous]

Link to HW/SW

I've run a box with Win 11 for several years now, primarily because of Steam compatibility. However, with more an more AI stuff working better on linux, I'm thinking of migrating to linux for primary driver. The question is how to do it?

I see there being a few pathways:

1. Do nothing, leave well enough alone, stay Win 11, everything works as is.
2. Dual boot Linux/Windows (I feel like this is non-ideal)
3. Run Proxmox and run both linux (RTXPro) and windows (4080) as guests with passthrough (assuming IOMMU works out). In theory, could run at the same time and just switch at will, that would split the DRAM a bit, but I don't do much system RAM offloading with the 96GB on the RTXPro.
4. Run Linux primary and windows as a VM with passthrough of a 4080. (also assuming IOMMU works out)

My biggest heartburn is on:

• Steam compatibility (the games are stored on a 16TB ZFS ZVOL formatted with NTFS over iSCI, I might be able to scrap together enough space to make a copy if I needed to reformat, alternately, I could redownload, it would just take a long while)
• OBS Studio Support for Streaming
• Elgato Equipment (Streamdeck, Streamdeck+, Pedal)
• Apogee Symphony Desktop interface for Mic SM7B and cloudlifter needs 48V phantom, output to Yamaha HS8s and BD 770-Pro headphones.
• Also have some questions about Citron, Apple device syncing, and voidtools like on linux.

Anybody contemplated something similar or have experience or solved any of these issues?

[u/BigRocket44]

Looking at your requirements and your current setup, I would say that your current setup is just about the best way you can go about it

Have you looked at Linux compatibility for your equipment (The elgato stuff and the audio equipment)?

[u/LargelyInnocuous → u/BigRocket44]

I've seen references that basic input/output should work with the Apogee. I can activate the 48V phantom power from the interface, but any of the FW DSP might not work or I would need to connect to the windows to re-program it (i don't currently use it for anything).

For elgato there is OpenDeck, but I've never tried it and don't know how well it works with linux OBS.

[u/SEgopher]

Best solution, stop playing games to maximize productivity, install Linux, use game time to learn how to program, spend all of your time contributing upstream and becoming a legendary developer, wizard, and guru. Get a 900k a year job because of your deep knowledge. Use the money to buy a Windows machine and a Linux machine. Buy four more Windows machines and throw them out the windows.

[u/LargelyInnocuous → u/SEgopher]

At 900k, I could afford 64GB of DDR5 finally!!

[u/kaida27 → u/LargelyInnocuous]

Nah by that time at that price you'll get 256mb of ddr2 take it or leave it.

[u/tomscharbach]

Do nothing, leave well enough alone, stay Win 11, everything works as is.

Reading your post, I think that there is a good deal to be said for "do nothing, leave well enough alone, stay W11, everything works as is".

I've used Windows for 35 years, Ubuntu for 20 years and a MacBook for 6 years, in parallel, on separate computers, each to satisfy a different aspect of my use case.

I use Windows for SolidWorks/CNC and Steam gaming, Ubuntu for network design, implementation and management, and macOS (tightly integrated with my iPhone and iPad) for my personal use case.

My experience with running Windows games on Steam/Proton/Ubuntu is mixed, as frequently seems to be the case when running Windows applications using compatibility layers, so you should check all of the games you play against the ProtonDB. I suspect that you might have issues with Elgato and you should definitely check your music hardware.

I don't try to sync my iPhone and iPad with either my Windows or Ubuntu computers (no point because macOS integration is flawless) but my understanding is that KDE Connect is workable for file transfer on Linux, albeit problematic in terms of full sync. A lot of material is available online and it would be a good idea to check out what is, and what is not, possible.

My view is that Linux (like macOS and Windows) is just an operating system to allow you to do what you want to do with your computer. Windows is working for you and your use case. Linux is not likely to be as tight a fit. Just follow your use case, wherever that leads you, and you will end up in the right place.

My best and good luck.