Best Linux Distro for AI with NVIDIA GPU

NVIDIA GPU Compatibility with Linux

Linux Mint has easy NVIDIA driver installation, but you may need to install the CUDA toolkit separately.
Proxmox is recommended for running local AI "server" setups as it is stable and popular.

User Experiences and Recommendations

Fedora has been popular among users for its smooth performance and stability.
Some users have had success with Ubuntu 24.10 and custom configurations for optimal performance.
Debian has also been mentioned as a potential option for dual-boot setups.

Challenges in Transitioning to Linux

Some users have expressed concerns over gaming performance and anti-cheat compatibility on Linux.
A few users find it necessary to maintain Windows for specific applications like Adobe products and gaming.
Transitioning to Linux can have hurdles like hardware and software manipulation for optimized performance.

Multimedia and Creativity Tools on Linux

Krita is seen as a better alternative to GIMP for image editing.
Ardour and Reaper are highlighted as music production software available on Linux.
Guitarix, Calf, and LSP plugins are praised for their audio processing capabilities.

Office and Productivity Solutions on Linux

Microsoft Office remains a preferred choice for many due to its comprehensive functionalities.
Alternatives like OnlyOffice are seen as not as powerful as Microsoft Office for professional use.
Linux-compatible solutions such as Google Docs and Gmail are mentioned for office productivity.

Other Linux Distros and Virtualization Options

Proxmox and Unraid are recommended for setting up AI server setups and virtualization.
KDE Neon is noted for being more of a showcase distro rather than for daily use.

Additional Resources and Recommendations

VFIO is suggested for advice on Linux virtualization setups.
Users suggest focusing on C/C++/Fortran/ MPI/OpenMP/CUDA for parallel programming.
Kokkos is praised as a tool for writing code once for multiple parallel execution backends.

This summary encompasses user experiences, challenges, and recommendations related to the best Linux distro for AI work with an NVIDIA GPU, highlighting various software tools, office solutions, challenges in transitioning to Linux, and additional resources for further exploration.