New Convert!Linux+Gamerz?

[xodiak]

Ok, after messing around with MS Windows 95, 98, 2k, and xp I AM DONE. I willnot use them anylonger, IF, i can continue to play games on Linux. I am an avid overclocker, having a solid oc for a 1800TB core, (which is 1.4 out of the box) a solid OC of 2.3, prime 95 24 hours stable. Thats on a MS Windodos Xp even. Anyway, is it possible to OC in Linux? Are there successful Overclockers?

Anyway, which flavor of Linux am i looking for! Ok I dont know alot about OS's , but I do know that Windows is the most vulnerable, unstable OS out there, or at least i think it is!! I have only used MS OS and from what I hear, Linux and Unix are the stable ones. I want to OC my rig as high as I can (to gain better framerates) and to run any Windows based game ,( EQ2) with little trouble.

Can i write code? I dont think so. Can I build a computer? Yes, most definitely. I am a huge comp geek (well not that huge, i still weigh in under 300, but anyway) and I am willing to research what I need to fulfill my Microsoftless future.

Am I barking up the wrong tree, or where should I look. I reallly want to show my friend, my OC mentor about this OS we have always been to afraid to touch, because we love and would die if our games were taken from us. Ok im an adult child, o well.

Thanks all in these forums who can lead a new convert in the way of rightousness. :)

[je_fro]

I hate to slam folks on their first post, BUT, you should utilize the search function for this site...every concievable linux problem has been solved here, time and time again. (well, any problem you'll face in the next 5 years)
We have a special forum category for what you seek...it's here:

http://justlinux.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=53

That's where I'll be moving this post....
My $.02? I'd say start with gentoo since you're a 1337_g4m3z0r....
:eek:

[Parcival]

Well, since you are so much into Windows gaming you will definitely want to have a look at Cedega (http://www.transgaming.com/).

A piece of warning, though: part of the reason why I moved to Linux was because I had the impression there aren't any good games as I wanted to be more "mature" and cut down on my gaming behavior. Well, indeed I play less than I used to, but it's more because tweaking my Linux system is even more fun than the gaming. :D

Yet there are a couple great Linux games out there, just check the gaming section of the distribution of your choice. Right now I am addicted again by The Battle For Wesnoth (http://www.wesnoth.org/) - maybe not the right type of game for an overclocker like you, but definitely addictive for a Battle Isle veteran like me. :D

[cybertron]

Overclocking? Yep. You'll probably want to get a program like lm_sensors or xmbmon to keep track of your temps, and I like to run Folding@Home as a partial substitute for Prime95. There are also some burn-in techniques where you leave a kernel compile looping for X number of hours that I've heard will tax your system even more heavily. Google will reveal all with respect to that. The only major problem you'll have is that there are no cool benchmarks like 3dMark 05 for Linux so you won't be able to show off your framerates as much. You'll have to live with timedemos of games you play.:)

[Icarus]

Games? yes there are quite a few that have been ported to Linux, here's a very detailed list of commercial and free games for Linux
http://www.icculus.org/lgfaq/gamelist.php

Overclocking? enjoy, I think Linux will give you much more valuable feed back then Windows does without having to use many extra programs, /proc will become your best friend :) nvclock is a very nice tool that NVidia released to overclock and monitor a NVidia card (ATI is not as well supported in Linux so everyone will suggest to go with NVidia ;))

I'd also suggest Gentoo (http:/gentoo.org) just be prepared for a crash course in Linux installation, follow the install guide step by step and you'll have it up and running with little to no problems :D