Hey,

I bet you get this alot on LQ but I've actually been thinking this for weeks and simply hasn't come across anything.

My main problem is that I don't know which Linux distribution to choose. I've used Windows my whole life, if random jumps for testing Linux doesn't count.
I use my PC every day - alot actually. Nowadays I rarely play, but if I do play, I play few years older games like Warcraft 3 and not the new ones, such as MW3, Black Ops or so.
Besides of playing I also use the PC for regular internet using.

I have tried mostly Ubuntu (more than few times actually) and once for Linux Mint. The reason I didn't stick with them, is because I keep meeting the graphics bugging and problems with Gnome 3x.
The reason I have used Gnome 3x because I still want to keep it goodlooking, and would like to customize the outlook as useful and cool as possible.

The second reason I never stood with the Linux OS because of NTFS. I have three HDD's, one for OS and two as for store the files(not raid). I've understood that Linux doesn't go easy which NTFS and last time I tried Linux Mint, I did notice that root used 90% or more of CPU even on idle for handling NTFS.
I could format to EXT4 or so, but it will know lots of time since I would have to backup all +1TB~ of files, which also are encrypted. But sure, if I'll find the correct distro, I'll format them.

I use Asus ATI Radeon 5770 as GPU. And as far as I have understoond, ATI drivers has lots of problems with Gnome 3.

The things I want the distribution to have is I want it to be fast and stable. I do have SSD, which will most likely make all of them fast - but you know what I mean. I also want it to be customable, which means I would have to "add these fancy GPU meters and such on desktop" and "modify the toolbars" etc.

I do have stable and correctly working OS, why would I like to change? Well, the main reason is that I like the idea of Linux - it's free and most likely will be. As an "IT-expert" or so(..) I would like to get to know the Linux better. Ofcourse I would still have to use Windows everyday, so I wouldn't forget how to fix them. Also would like to share the information for my friends, which strictly avoid using Linux since of Gaming and, oh well, Windows.

Which Distribution would you suggest me to use?



I also took the test at http://www.zegeniestudios.net.

The matches were:
Linux Mint - Did not work out, after installation and updates never got back to the desktop. Tried couple of times.
OpenSuSE - Never actually tried or even read about.
Ubuntu - Tried it couple of times, actually feels good, but still don't like Unity, and would prefer Gnome 3x but again, there will be the problems with the GPU
Fedora - Never actually tried this either, I've read a bit and could give it a shot.
Kubuntu - Never tried, read a bit. Could give it a shot.

Asus P5QL Pro
Intel e8500 Dual Core, 3,16GHz
4GB 800MHz
Asus ATI Radeon 5770
OCZ Petrol + F1 Samsung SpinPoint x2
The upper above will bring me another question - I'm about to upgrade the PC to i5 or i7 sooner or later. Will it require Linux re-installation or does it would it work with the same installation?

If you have a problem, as you did with Mint, it might be better to look for help rather than give up. Often, what looks like a disaster has a simple solution that somebody here knows. Then you've learnt something and you feel more confident too!

An interesting and reliable distro, as well as Mint, is Fuduntu.

I'd avoid Kubuntu. They rely on the Ubuntu repository which relies on the Debian testing repository. You never know whether a KDE thing has been in Debian for months and works well, or has only just arrived and is full of bugs.

OpenSUSE is not bad, but don't use it with any desktop other than KDE.

One thing I've noticed with most Debian-based distros is the poorer quality of the configuration tools. Few of them can find my USB speakers, for example. Management of services is primitive compared with the tools in Fedora and Fuduntu.

I'd also avoid Gnome 3 and all its derivatives (Unity, Cinnamon). The configuration information is stored in unreadable files, which can create problems. (like http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...5-16-a-912629/)

Hey DavidMcCann and than you for your quick response.

Well the problem with graphics has been always the one with flashing and disappearing panels included. Suddenly while doing something, either the screen begins flashing for a while, looking like it'd be reloading the UI.
The other one is a bit bigger. Suddenly all panels including all window borders and such will just disappear. Can't open Terminal or any, even with keyboard shortcuts since they won't appear visible.
Everytime I've asked for the reason and solution I've been told that the ATI drivers sucks badly with Gnome 3 and should either change the distro or graphic card. Also heard Linus threw a finger against nVidia, so not sure if I should even change the GPU for nVidia.

I sure should google ASAP about Fuduntu, never even heard of it

E: I noticed you edited and removed the suggestion of Kororaa. I googled it and it looks okay. Any reason you didn't suggest it after all?

How's Linux Mint 13 Maya XFCE?

Anything on this list is a good starting point:
http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major

As already discussed, stick with one distro long enough to get the basic functionality going.

I removed Kororaa because I thought it was Gnome only, but I mis-remembered: it does have KDE as well.

As far as the Radeon 5770 is concerned, getting a driver from the manufacturer seems to be the answer:
http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownloa...3&lang=English

Downloading the drivers from manufacturer hasn't helped the problem either. Guess it's the Gnome then. I haven't tried KDE on my desktop PC so I don't know how do they work together.

I'm currently using Linux Mint 13 XFCE on my laptop. Seems good, does not have any kind of problems or bugs, is light and visually effective. I like it.

I have an old laptop with ATI graphics so I can empathize with what you are going through. I could never get the proprietary driver working to my satisfaction so I stuck with the open source driver. I have Gnome 3 and Unity working without any problems.

I think that Linux Mint is your best bet because it is well known to work out-of-the-box for most things which means it probably comes with the most complete driver set. Second is Ubuntu. But I see that you have had problems with those distributions so I don't know what would work for you. I really like openSUSE and would highly recommend it, but I don't think it supports your hardware any better than Mint or Ubuntu.

I also agree that you should stick with a distro and try to solve the problems that come up rather than switching distros. There are solutions for problems with ATI graphics, and as I have said, I have Gnome 3 and Unity 3d working on an old laptop, and I am quite pleased with the performance.

I've done it, installed Linux Mint 13 XFCE on my PC. Installed ATI drivers, updated the system and installed Google Chrome. No problems so far

E: This is amazing distro :> Love it! Even tho, Steam does not seem to work. Running with wine, for a while it's stuck in the login screen and in few minutes there'll be Program error, but can't get any error codes or anything

Also keyboard multimediabuttons seems not to work. But such a minor loose with this awesomeness.

As a frustrated windows user, I was interested in Linux. I was a little worried about any learning curves, or compatibility issues if I switched. I tried Ubuntu and had pretty much no problems at all.

NYJoe, welcome to LQ.

Thanks for your input.