Linux for gaming? Is it easy to manage?

I've been meaning to switch to linux for some time but I use my home PC largely for gaming and that makes Windows (XPpro now) kind of essential, but I hear rumours on the grapevine that Linux is getting closer and closer to being viable without too much extra effort? My computer hardware is always a bit close to the line but typically I can run games at a decent res/fps. CSSource is pushin it a bit hard at 1280x960 though.

One concern is compatability and ease of running the games. I know a few games bring out linux campatable versions, but I think EA don't support linux clients, so BF2 might give me issues and it's my main game of choice these days. The other worry is that linux might not perform as well as XP when running these games especially when emulated and my hardware isn't especially brilliant.

Are there any particularly good distros for gaming and does anyone run their games (particularly Source and BF2) through linux?

central PC spec:
xp2400+ cpu with kamikase hsf (stock speeds)
sparkle nForce2 400 mobo
2x512mb DDR (1xpc3200, 1xpc2700, run@pc2100 speeds with fast cas)
powercolor 128mb radeon 9800pro aiw

Ta.

well, from my opinion its not mature enough, without the few games with native support, you end up running them in virtual machines, or with compatability engines/libraries. I know directhex has had excellent results running games, but I don't bother unless the game has native support.

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Originally Posted by jamena

powercolor 128mb radeon 9800pro aiw

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forget it

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Originally Posted by dgr

forget it

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To expand on that point - ATi's drivers aren't exactly speedy, while nVidia's tend to far better.

Looks like my little Linux adventure I had planned is over...


Oh those shattered dreams :(

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Originally Posted by unreal

Looks like my little Linux adventure I had planned is over...


Oh those shattered dreams :(

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Yup, it is a bit annoying to say the least that ATi don't provide better support. Linux support was one of the things that made me go nVidia this time round, although my old 9600 was fine doing normal desktop stuff.

:undecided thanks for the reponse guys ... still looks like a relatively bad plan then. Bugger. Back to nvidia when I replace my current system then unless ATi have gotten their act together by then! Maybe I'll get some dual boot action going and totally screw up my computer (as happened within weeks of every other time I have run a dual+ boot system) so I can use linux for everything but games...


What's the best distro? :devilish: there's a question to create a burning thread...so that can be taken as rhetorical ;)

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What's the best distro?

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I'm begging it doesn't create another "best distro" thread.

Search through, there are tons of commnents on "best distros" at the end of the day it is down to personal taste, and which distro's meet your OWN personal needs.

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Originally Posted by ikonia

I'm begging it doesn't create another "best distro" thread.

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hence the "rhetorical" bit :devilish: I'll pick one myself, possibly based on what my mates who have linux use. Leach some free tech support out of them...


Thanks for the replies guys!

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Originally Posted by ikonia

well, from my opinion its not mature enough

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That describes linux for me all over. I keep trying it but it's far too fiddly - I work with PCs all day and i just can't be bothered messing around endlessly when i get home.

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Originally Posted by dangel

That describes linux for me all over. I keep trying it but it's far too fiddly - I work with PCs all day and i just can't be bothered messing around endlessly when i get home.

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I have tried Fedora Core 4, Ubuntu and Mandrake/Mandriva, and all three worked out of the box - sound, internet, video was all fine, and that was with a range of systems.

Debian, on the other hand, is far more interesting...

debian is an old man's linux, its for people who are set in their ways, and like things done "correctly". As such it focuses on packages that are very mature. This lends to a longer exploit found & patch cycle.

BSD kicks linux's ass in everything but the redistrabution license. BSD is better from every technical standpoint. Check NetBSD, OpenBSD, FreeBSD, etc. for more info.

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Originally Posted by mike_w

I have tried Fedora Core 4, Ubuntu and Mandrake/Mandriva, and all three worked out of the box - sound, internet, video was all fine, and that was with a range of systems.

Debian, on the other hand, is far more interesting...

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I've just had a miserable experience with unbuntu funnily enough ;)

Just don't have the time, or inclination, to sort a linux box out at the end of the working day - nor can i see the benefit of doing so. If there was one, then i'd probably make the effort. ATM linux sits in the same box as OSX - installed it, played with it, got bored with it, loaded up windows, went gaming instead. Problem is, how do you sell someone on linux now?

I'm going to leave BSD users alone for the moment so they can go plot in the corner and pretend to be hardcore.. I really hope ATi do get linux support sorted out better.. but ubuntu is making great strides and i would say that because of tis funding its now the closest thing to "mainstream" linux that exists.. i tried dual boot before and intend to again when my 5.1 ubuntu CD's get here. I wait for the day i can triple boot mac windws and linux on 1 box.. and we are soo god at doing the reccommend the distro you have used thing haven;t we

god another "I recommend this distro thread"

back on topic, http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=1011