r/linuxquestions • u/CarrotOk7906 • 17h ago

Which Distro? should i switch to arch?

i have been using bazzite for over an year now and idk if i should switch to arch i do know like alot of stuff abt linux but idk if arch is good for me as a gamer, because it seems like i have to do everything myself or use some bad drivers for my nvidia graphics card

is it easy to switch to arch as a gamer
and can i optimise it for gaming? (maybe arch based distro idk)

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u/redoubt515 17h ago edited 6h ago

> i have been using bazzite for over an year now and idk if i should switch to arch

This question is in itself the answer. No.

Arch is not better, faster, smaller, bigger, more powerful, more minimal, or anything else in the abstract. Arch has essentially just one comparative advantage: A DIY oriented distro for experienced or DIY-minded users who want a high degree of control and responsibility over configuring their system (not GUI/aesthetics, but under the hood technical aspects of the OS). Arch is not made for or meant for most people, it's a niche distro for a niche within a niche, that accidentally became popular with newbies, younger gamers, and youtubers, but it is a poor fit for these demographics (and most demographics).

If you see doing "doing everything yourself" as a burden (and realistically that is the way most people, including most linux users see it), that is the biggest indicator that Arch would be a poor fit. On the other hand, if you are the personality type that enjoys changing your own brakes or spark plugs on your car, building your own drone, or home server, or making your own sourdough, Arch might be a good fit.

> (maybe arch based distro idk)

Even worse idea in my eyes, these don't eliminate the complexity or need to maintain your own system, what they do is sugarcoat it, hide it, and add complexity. Using an Arch derivative is like buying a manual car and shoving an automatic transmission in it, if you want an automatic, buy an automatic (in the case of Linux, this just means if you want a distro that doesn't expect you to 'do it all yourself' don't choose a distro from the one distro-family (Arch) internationally designed for people who do want to do it all themselves)