Hi Guys,

I am a Linux newbie and I am going to make the move from the evil Windows(Fed up with it crashing) to linux. I was wondering what is the best version of Linux to get to run games? I will be running the newer games like doom3, Q3, ET.

My Specs are
3.2ghz p4 dual (Gigabyte duo Sigma mobo)
DDR2 2x516mb
GFX: gt6600(Yaya linux drivers)

non, 2.4 is considered "stable", but the 2.6 versions have more features, and run faster.

tho, for a better system, use the staircase scheduler ( http://kerneltrap.org/node/2744?PHPS...8b935c4675f2f3 , download from here : http://ck.kolivas.org/patches/2.6/ ..), just apply the patch (hope you know how), if you read the first link, most people that use it say programs usually tend to start faster, and be more responsive a bit ... also, to improve disk IO, use the deadline IO scheduler (its in the kernel config, under "IO schedulers" in the disk drivers sections (since 2.6.10 i think .. , if its not there, then its under "config for smaller systems" (something like that, you have to say "yes" then it opens up) under "general setup" i think) .... it usually runs in the same fashion as the regular anticipatory one, but is much simpler, and performs better under database style loads

tho since you called yourself a newbie, ill assume you are NOT referring to Linux itself, and are referring to a distribution, in that case, any popular one will do, some run faster then others (like slackware and gentoo ... but setting up those are a bit tricky unless you really want to, or know what you are doing) .... or it can be a quick and easy install, but not run as fast (tho on your machine, ill doubt you will notice the difference)

For those switching from Windoze to Linux, the following distros have been found to be good:

1) SuSE (Pros. - Pretty, Stable up-to-date) (cons - bloated, some things don't work as well)
2) Mandrake (Pros - usually cutting edge, easy) (cons - that cutting edge thing, stability)
3) Lycoris (Pros - pretty and easy) (cons - very proprietary)

For the "Hardcore" Linux users,... they tend to use Debian or Slackware.

For a gamer, you want to get Transgaming's Cedega, or at least the latest WineX CVS. SuSE and Mandrake work well with Cedega.

You also want to make sure you are running an nVidia graphics card. For your gt6600 make sure you are running the latest drivers from nVidia.

AS the other poster said, you want a 2.6 kernel. Don't go with an older distro. Support for things like USB, etc. is weak in 2.4 kernels. Make sure you install kernel sources. Compiling some things requires it. Some install scripts simply run the make install routines for the source code.

You may have to force the use of DMA on your CD/DVD drives. SuSE is very good at configuring this with the YAST2 setup utility.

Linux for gaming? Yeah right. You can use programs like winex but sometimes it won't work. If I was you I'd just dual boot and reinstall windows.

Who let the M$ employee in here?!?!?

Seriously though, many of the best/hottest games are released for Linux (Doom3, Unreal Tournament 2004/2003, Neverwinter Nights, etc.). The ones that don't, are often a priority for the Transgaming team (Half Life 2, Max Payne 2, Homeworld 2, etc.). A lot of older games get working because of the effort to get the newer ones working (X-Wing, TIE Fighter, X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter, Homeworld).

Sometimes it won't work?!?!? Unless your games budget is $3-400 (US) per month, it shouldn't be a problem. If it's that much of a problem, buy a PlayStation 2. You can stick to the ones that work either native or through "emulation" for the PC, and get a similar title in the genre for the console. Consoles get priority for new releases anyway.

I've got 12 Linux native commercial titles running on my desktop. I've got 19 or so titles running under either Cedega (winex) or DOSBox. That's over 30 games, not including the little ones like Frozen Bubble, Chromium, KMahjonng, Solitaire, etc.

omg do yourself a favour and go the f%@k aWAY




Games on linux
www.liflg.org
instructions, installers and game compatibility lists
many installers are to install a windows version game cd and leave a linux binary to launch the game
Native support

Cedega replaced WineX
you may choose to have that too

i actually paid for Crossover office to make installing games from Windows CDś easy when not supported by liflg, they are generally DirectX games
and i never had much a performance difference between linux and windows.




If you use the loki installers and cedega some of the older ones don´t recognise the command cedega so you will need to add it to the script fiole when game has finished installing.