Altho I started my interest of Linux many (many) years ago, I have not kept up and I now consider myself a "newbie" again.
I recently set up an old gaming computer with Ubuntu and thought running games from Steam would be a good test/exersise. Not having much luck with getting the games running properly and unsure if the video card has the proper driver.
So, the question is: What distro is easiest to use with Steam?
Thanks for your attention.

John Koprowski

Windows Linux? Just joking. Steam has its own Linux version. Distributions aimed at desktop users: Ubuntu, Mint, Manjaro.

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Moved: This thread is more suitable in Linux Games and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

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I use Debian for that with a backports-kernel and firmware from backports on an AMD-System and am very happy with it. Still keep in mind that a lot of PC-games are not really ported to linux and use things like WINE, emulators and lesser supported cross-builds that the game/graphics-engines provide. Some indy-developers just see in Unreal and Co. that they can release their game for a tablet, linux and other platforms when they click on it and then not even look if it works.

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Anything that has the least trouble with hardware and has steam available. Arch, Debian, any Ubuntu variant should be fine. The steam os is based on Debian I believe.

Also Amd gpus tend to be better since they open sourced it... or whatever they did. Nvidia is a pain in the ass these days. Drivers at least...

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My experience level with Linux is 1 y + touching Linux distros 15 y ago.

If you have a Windows background (you didn't say so I'm just guessing here), and if you prefer the Windows look, I say go with the KDE interface. Then customize it via the System Settings. It's all GUI.
XFce looks nice as well.
Kubuntu has the KDE interface.
OpenSuse is pretty good as well. Go for the KDE interface. XFce is nice too but I did not have time to dabble in it much.

As for the video card, it depends on your needs. If you are a hardcore 3D guy who likes ultra high detail settings, then it has to be AMD or nVidia.

Example:
I have a nVidia GTX 980 4 GB.

To check on the driver via Console (terminal):
glxinfo | grep OpenGL

To check it via GUI (KDE interface)
Start -> Applications -> System -> Info Center
On the left side, click on Graphics
On the right side, find the line that says OpenGL version.
Does the version info contain the words NVIDIA? 4.6.0 NVIDIA 460.32.03?
Yes, it is running driver version 460.

If it is using the nouveau driver, then the performance will be lower compared to nVidia's driver.

To install the nVidia's driver via GUI:
Start -> Applications -> Settings -> System Settings
On the left side, find Driver Manager.
The rest is obvious.
Once installed, reboot the PC.

You may have to open the terminal and type
shutdown -r 0
Since KDE has a hard time with driver updates.

~~~~vmelkon

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. This will be a big help
John