Seeking tips and advice for new (& first time) Arch Install

Grand · 2020-06-12 16:11:26

I've decided to try to install arch (I'm aware its not exactly user friendly so I'm throwing common sense out the window) and need a bit of help on how to prepare the system for how I'll be using it. I do have a bit of experience with Linux (and Manjaro if that's anything) but I'm only barely competent with a terminal and the commands for already prepared distos.

The install will be my primary machine for gaming and possibly live streaming (if i ever get around to it) which i will mostly likely use obs or some form of it. I understand that some games won't be available for me on Linux and I am fine with delving into virtual machines and GPU passthrough though I do have a bit of a query to that end. If I only have one graphics card (which i do) is it still possible to have GPU pass through and use the GPU within arch for the games that are supported on Linux without a reboot and re-configuring? I would also like to use docker at times and use kde as my Desktop Environment but I'm fairly sure I'll be able to install them without many issues. I understand if you point me straight to the wiki but if you have any extra tips or recommendations I'm all ears.

TL;DR
I need help and advice installing Arch Linux with kde for a gaming/live streaming system that may need a windows 10 virtual machine with GPU passthrough (for non supported games) but be able to use the GPU in Arch when not running the VM. Will be running steam, discord, obs (or a variant of it) and docker. If need be just point me to the wiki if you think it is the best source of knowledge for my case.

Relevant Specs
CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5Ghz
Mobo: MSI B450M PRO-VDH MAX
RAM: Crucial Ballastix Sport AT (1x8GB) 2666MHz
GPU: Asus Geforce GTX 1060 6GB Expedition
Storage: 1TB ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro M.2 NVMe

Cheers

Last edited by Grand (2020-06-12 16:46:03)

VoDo · 2020-06-12 17:34:38

Why do you want to use Arch if you do not want to spend time to try it based on Arch wiki? I installed Arch in VM few times to be sure what NOT to do then when I was happy with my setup in VM I did dual boot Arch with macOS. Once you learn how to do it you it is done in 15 minutes.

Last edited by VoDo (2020-06-12 17:36:24)

Slithery · 2020-06-12 17:38:40

Just read the wiki, it's all in there.

Lone_Wolf · 2020-06-13 12:47:32

If I only have one graphics card (which i do) is it still possible to have GPU pass through and use the GPU within arch for the games that are supported on Linux without a reboot and re-configuring?

The ryzen 3 200G has a radeon vega gpu integrated, so you do have 2 videocards.

<rant>

[(I'm aware its not exactly user friendly so I'm throwing common sense out the window)

What most people call user friendly feels to me like "don't bother me with questions, all i want is one click and then everything should work" .

My common sense tells me to stay away from user-friendly as much as possible .
I prefer user centrality over user friendly, https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ar … centrality

Grand · 2020-06-13 15:55:43

VoDo wrote:

Why do you want to use Arch if you do not want to spend time to try it based on Arch wiki? I installed Arch in VM few times to be sure what NOT to do then when I was happy with my setup in VM I did dual boot Arch with macOS. Once you learn how to do it you it is done in 15 minutes.

I understand and will have a shot at installing in a vm to try and prepare myself for the real install if i do choose to do it.

Slithery wrote:

Just read the wiki, it's all in there.

Will do. I just thought i'd post here first with a bit of a unique case that i have with only one gpu and wanting to do gpu passthrough

Lone_Wolf wrote:

If I only have one graphics card (which i do) is it still possible to have GPU pass through and use the GPU within arch for the games that are supported on Linux without a reboot and re-configuring?
The ryzen 3 200G has a radeon vega gpu integrated, so you do have 2 videocards.

<rant>
[(I'm aware its not exactly user friendly so I'm throwing common sense out the window)
What most people call user friendly feels to me like "don't bother me with questions, all i want is one click and then everything should work" .
My common sense tells me to stay away from user-friendly as much as possible .
I prefer user centrality over user friendly, https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ar … centrality

Okay so because it has integrated graphics i can use gpu passthrough. but is there anyway to use my 1060 in linux as the host until i start the vm and then switch the gpu onto the vm instead? I have seen some things around that say this should be possible to do but do you have any experience or knowledge of your own?

As for what I meant by its not user friendly i meant being immediately hit with a terminal when installing it and no sort of automatic installer, but i should be fine to do the the commands and provide any necessary info though and also having used manjaro with KDE and really liking it I thought i'd go to arch with KDE for my desktop since they are similar with manjaro being based on arch so theres that.

VoDo · 2020-06-13 17:58:16

You have lots of questions I think it is not possible to say if it will work on your set up, someone can have same needs as you but I doubt they will have same setup. My understanding of Arch is "do it by your self" for others there are ~1000 distros. I can give you my list of 50 steps from Arch wiki to install "my Arch" but you need yours I think Arch is for people who want to understand basics of Linux. I used Manjaro too but I wanted "my own" Linux based on my needs and have raw packages not touched by middleman. Nothing bad against Manjaro it is good distro, but I wanted to be able to write. "btw I use Arch" Now, I can write only "btw I use Arch wiki"

Last edited by VoDo (2020-06-13 18:01:53)

loqs · 2020-06-13 18:08:54

It is theoretically possible to use the GPU on the host, unbind the kernel modules using that device, bind vfio-pci to that device so a VM can use it.
My memory of reports from a few years ago is there was a high chance the GPU would lock up possibly locking up the host as well. Meaning in actuality rebooting to a configuration where the device is mapped to the guest on boot was the only practical option.

NibblesMctwitch · 2020-06-13 18:32:19

Google archfi it's on GitHub and check it out it's an install script.

2ManyDogs · 2020-06-13 18:37:17

NibblesMctwitch wrote:

Google archfi it's on GitHub and check it out it's an install script.

Please don't recommend install scripts. They are not supported here.

VoDo · 2020-06-14 06:55:05

NibblesMctwitch wrote:

Google archfi it's on GitHub and check it out it's an install script.

Why scripts? Install Arch really takes just few hours reading wiki and trying it in VM then it is as fast as any other distro. If someone can not install it by wiki they are not ready for Arch. I have read that install Arch is very complicated but it is not the true one just needs to know how to read and write that it is.
There are really just two tricky parts, disk partition (you can use cfdisk if you are scared by fdisk) and do not forget grub-mkconfig.

eschwartz · 2020-06-14 13:39:35

VoDo wrote:

NibblesMctwitch wrote:
Google archfi it's on GitHub and check it out it's an install script.
Why scripts? Install Arch really takes just few hours reading wiki and trying it in VM then it is as fast as any other distro. If someone can not install it by wiki they are not ready for Arch. I have read that install Arch is very complicated but it is not the true one just needs to know how to read and write that it is.

It's unlikely this user will answer you as they were banned for seeking support here for their derivative, thirdparty distro archfi install, lying about it when questioned, and then blanking their support thread in violation of https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Co … way_street

VoDo wrote:

There are really just two tricky parts, disk partition (you can use cfdisk if you are scared by fdisk) and do not forget grub-mkconfig.

You can also partition from a GUI-based installation media for Ubuntu or Fedora or something, then switch to the Arch install media to install Arch. Or use the bootstrap image directly from an existing full linux installation: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/In … stribution

grub-mkconfig is part of the bootloader stage, but not everyone uses grub, some people who use it are using it from another dual-boot partition, and also I'd argue grub-mkconfig is kind of confusing and complicated, and might not do what you want... so there is https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Us … figuration

VoDo · 2020-06-14 14:26:35

Your last two paragraphs just confirm what I was thinking, everybody has different needs when installing arch or other "build your own" distros.
I am in third month using Arch and never needed to ask here and I am a newbie. Arch wiki has everything needed one just does not have to be lazy.

Grand · 2020-06-14 16:04:58

I managed to make an arch linux VM (after some trouble) so i think i know enough to make the install but I still need a bit of information about the gpu passthrough and whether or not i can use the 1060 for arch from boot and switch between it and the VM when it launches and stops. It'll probably involve putting arch onto the integrated graphics when it switches to the VM or something similar. thanks for all the assistance so far though, i really appreciate it. thanks

Arch Linux

#1 2020-06-12 16:11:26

Seeking tips and advice for new (& first time) Arch Install

#2 2020-06-12 17:34:38

Re: Seeking tips and advice for new (& first time) Arch Install

#3 2020-06-12 17:38:40

Re: Seeking tips and advice for new (& first time) Arch Install

#4 2020-06-13 12:47:32

Re: Seeking tips and advice for new (& first time) Arch Install

#5 2020-06-13 15:55:43

Re: Seeking tips and advice for new (& first time) Arch Install

#6 2020-06-13 17:58:16

Re: Seeking tips and advice for new (& first time) Arch Install

#7 2020-06-13 18:08:54

Re: Seeking tips and advice for new (& first time) Arch Install

#8 2020-06-13 18:32:19

Re: Seeking tips and advice for new (& first time) Arch Install

#9 2020-06-13 18:37:17

Re: Seeking tips and advice for new (& first time) Arch Install

#10 2020-06-14 06:55:05

Re: Seeking tips and advice for new (& first time) Arch Install

#11 2020-06-14 13:39:35

Re: Seeking tips and advice for new (& first time) Arch Install

#12 2020-06-14 14:26:35

Re: Seeking tips and advice for new (& first time) Arch Install

#13 2020-06-14 16:04:58

Re: Seeking tips and advice for new (& first time) Arch Install

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