Can I Expect any Issues With This System

Hey people :slight_smile:
got pointed to this forum to check for any possible issue I may face with my system.

Here are my system specs:

  • CPU: 12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-12700KF (3.61 GHz) 64BIT
  • RAM: 48.0 GB (47.8 GB usable)
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti (8 GB)

EDIT:

  • Monitor: 3 X Lenovo R27qe (2560x1440)

Any pointers would be much appreciated.

It should running Zorin OS smoothly. The nvidia driver may act up. Sometimes it a hit or miss, but if you run into trouble with it, don't hesitate to reach out for help.

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Hey OldFlak - Fancy meeting you here. :slight_smile
I presume this is a full install, and not a dual boot install with Windows. If that is correct, then here are some suggestions (provided with the assistance of Google Gemini AI)

Before you begin the install, go into your system BIOS/UEFI settings, and disable Secure Boot . (If left on, it can prevent the NVIDIA driver from loading, forcing the system back to the generic "Nouveau" driver, with a significant performance hit.)

While you are in the BIOS, check to ensure Above 4G Decoding is enabled (helps with VRAM management).

Now, boot from your USB installation drive, and Please don't hit Enter on the first option. Instead:

  • Select this option: Try or Install Zorin OS (modern NVIDIA drivers).
  • Reason: This boots the live environment using the official NVIDIA drivers

During the install wizard, watch for the section labeled "Updates and other software."

  • Check the box next to: "Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware..."
  • Reason: This ensures that the NVIDIA 580 (or newer) driver series is automatically pulled and configured for your 3070 Ti card during the install, so you don't have to mess with the terminal later.

When the install has finished and once you’ve logged in for the first time, you will want to verify that everything is running on the GPU, (rather than the onboard graphics). To do so:

  1. Open the Zorin Menu β†’ System Tools β†’ Software Updater β†’ Settings .
  2. Go to the Additional Drivers tab.
  3. Ensure that the radio button for NVIDIA driver (proprietary, tested) is selected.
  4. Now open a terminal (Default key combo is Ctrl-Alt-t), and run the command nvidia-smi ... you will be shown your GPU usage and driver version (e.g., v580+).

One more thing: ** Zorin 18.1 defaults to the Wayland compositor for its display protocol. While NVIDIA support on Wayland has improved, you may notice flickering in apps like Discord or Steam. If you do, log out and before logging back in, click in the box for entering your password and you will see a Gear Icon at the lower right corner of the login screen. Click this icon and then on "Zorin Desktop on Xorg" . (Xorg is still the "rock solid" choice for NVIDIA gaming.) Your system will then remain on Xorg through system boots and reboots, until and unless is for reason changed back to Wayland again.

Good luck!


P.S. Just saw the addition of your monitor info. Here are a few points to check over before you begin your install.

Triple-monitor setups on Linux can be a dream or a headache depending on how you plug them in. With three Lenovo R27qe monitors (1440p @ 180Hz) and an RTX 3070 Ti, here is exactly what you need to watch out for:

1. Cable Strategy (The Port Problem)

The RTX 3070 Ti typically has 3x DisplayPort and 1x HDMI ports.

  • Recommendation: Use 3x DisplayPort cables .
  • Why: To get the full 180Hz refresh rate on all three monitors, DisplayPort 1.4 is your best friend. While the monitor supports HDMI 2.1, many NVIDIA 30-series cards only have one HDMI port. Mixing HDMI and DisplayPort can sometimes lead to slight color profile mismatches or "handshake" delays when waking the PC from sleep.

2. VRAM Limitations (8GB is Tight)

Your 3070 Ti is a powerhouse, but it only has 8GB of VRAM .

  • The Math: Driving three 1440p displays at 180Hz uses a significant chunk of memory just for the desktop environment and browser tabs.
  • Gaming: If you plan to play across all three screens (7680x1440 resolution), you will almost certainly hit a "VRAM wall" in modern AAA games.
  • Fix: Use DLSS whenever possible. In Zorin, ensure you've enabled "NVIDIA Settings" to manage how the card handles this massive pixel real estate.

3. Wayland vs. X11 (The "Flicker" Factor)

Zorin 18.1 might default to Wayland. While Wayland handles "mixed refresh rates" better than the older X11, it can sometimes cause flickering in certain apps on NVIDIA cards.

  • Watch out for: If your windows feel "stuttery" or you see strange flickering, log out and switch to Zorin Desktop on Xorg at the login screen. X11 is still the gold standard for stable triple-monitor management on NVIDIA, though it's less "modern."

4. Refresh Rate Sync

By default, Zorin might set all three monitors to 60Hz.

  • Action: Go to Settings β†’ Displays. You will need to manually click each of the three monitors and set the refresh rate to 180Hz.
  • Note: If the option for 180Hz doesn't appear on all three, it’s likely a cable bandwidth issue. Ensure you are using DP 1.4 rated cables.

5. Alignment and Bezel Correction

The Lenovo R27qe has very thin bezels, but in a triple setup, they still exist.

  • Zorin doesn't have a "Bezel Correction" tool built-in like NVIDIA Surround on Windows.
  • If you're doing "Sim Racing" or immersive gaming, you may need to use a tool like Gamescope to manage the span across three monitors properly.
2 Likes

That looks so far fine. Like @Storm already mentioned can the Nvidia Drivers be a bit tricky. It don't have to, but maybe You have to try which one works the best for You.

Another Thing: Wifi and Ethernet. These can be Stuff what can causes Nerves, too depending what Modules are built in. It is definetely worth to try it in Live Mode before the Installtion.

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Thanks for feedback guys - appreciated :slight_smile: :smiley:

So decided to give Zorin OS a whirl direct from the USB.

Loaded OK, but at the first sign of the desktop, there were lots of dashed lines at the top 50 pixels or so of each monitor, these disappeared after about 10 secs and the default desktop pics then seemed to display OK.

Had no mouse cursor, when right clicking anywhere on screen the context menu was just a bunch of grey lines on a black background - not ideal of course.

In an attempt to exit I tried the trusty old ctrl-alt-del, but the dialog was also a black box with grey lines.

When I hit the Windows key the desktop pics shrunk and on the resulting borders around the edges there were lots of dots in a grid fashion.

These issues point to, as I feared, GPU drivers not being friendly.

  • Interestingly have tried a couple other distros recently which didn't have driver issues (at least not for basic graphics display) - hmm :thinking:

Given that I couldn't run it from the USB, I don't want to spend endless hours doing a proper install, and fighting hardware/driver issues that Linux Distros are renowned for.

Had to kill it all by the power button death throw - oh dear.

May attempt another download and create a new install USB, just in case it was a dodgy download - but it does look like GPU Driver issues to me.

So sadly was not able to test it at all even in that limited scenario.

Was worth a shot, and definitely worth a second shot - but not hopeful at this stage unfortunately.

@wsmather Thanks for the info :+1:

Will give all that a shot first - cheers :smiley:

Thanks for feedback.

Yes that is another issue that is common in the other few distros I have tested lately.

Getting the internet to work is like - good luck with that :slight_smile:

1 Like

@wsmather using the Modern Nvidia driver mode was successful :+1:

Got Zorin to run from USB.

Impressed to say the least - the only thing that didn't work was my tp-link Wi-Fi (could fiddle with that with a proper install) - so ran a cable to the modem - not wife friendly for long term use of course.

This is by far the nicest Linux Distro I have ever seen - period.

Next step is to order a new SSD for a dedicated Zorin install, and see if it works with real development tools.

Super slick even from the USB - long time since I have been excited by an OS.

So cool to have an OS that is not bloated and full of garbage I don't need, or want.

Oh I so hope MS days are numbered - whoohoo!

3 Likes

That can be solved by artificial intelligence. First, go to google.es or your country/nation's search engine, type KIMI AI, and click on the first link that appears. It's similar to chatGPT but more advanced in the Linux field. It solved my Wi-Fi 7 problem, which was a real pain with repositories, testing them, etc. I talked to it, and in minutes I had everything sorted. But listen carefully when you talk to it; describe your problem well, even with images if possible. That way, KIMI will analyze it more thoroughly, search for solutions, and help you with your problem. Before pressing enter, tell it this: "Send me the terminal commands one," and wait for its response. It will know what to do when you give it the first response from the terminal, so it won't give you command after command, which can sometimes cause errors, etc. One more thing: I don't know how many conversations you can have with KIMI, but be more specific and direct because otherwise, it penalizes you by making it available for 3 hours before it becomes available again. And after 3 hours you go back to him and he'll help you until you finish and resolve your doubts... I did the same, but I had to be patient for 3 days to find the correct repository; it's something like rtw89.au.git for my WiFi 7 BE6500. Anyway, I won't tell you my story, but with KIM I solved it on my Zorin and I'll go back to him every time I have any questions.

:joy: My wife wouldn't appreciate cords strung across the room either.

Not sure what you have but I found a nugget awhile back for a TP-Link T2U (I think) here: