Suggest simple Linux distro for RetroPie use only?

[metal_slugger]

Hi, thanks for accepting me on this forum.
This is my first attempt to install linux on anything and my first attempt to use Retropie, but I have a basic understanding of the concepts from using Batocera previously.

So i'm looking for advice on what is the leanest, least resource-hogging version of Linux to install, that will meet the requirements of Retropie. (Retropie is my only necessity as its all i'll be using this machine for). My PC of choice is a small form factor Dell 790 i3-2100 3.1GHz with integrated "Intel HD 2000" graphics.

Does anyone have suggestions? Thanks

[mitu]

Try the latest Xubuntu 20.04.

[metal_slugger]

@mitu said in Suggest simple Linux distro for RetroPie use only?:

Xubuntu 20.04

Thanks, am looking at now

[Clyde]

Lubuntu may be even less resource hungry than Xubuntu.

[metal_slugger]

@Clyde Cool. I just found that. I'll try that too, thanks

[IceChes1]

@Clyde You are right. Lubuntu is the least resource draining. But don't you need X to run RetroPie?

[mitu]

@IceChes1 said in Suggest simple Linux distro for RetroPie use only?:

But don't you need X to run RetroPie?

For the PC installations, yes, and Lubuntu has that already.

[IceChes1]

@mitu Does it? I'm sorry. I have no experience with Ubuntu but would think that since Lubuntu has an L in front of it compared to Xubuntu which has an X in front of it that Lubuntu would not have X compared to Xubuntu.

Also is Xubuntu pronounced: Zoobuntu? English is weird.

[Clyde]

@IceChes1 The X in Xubuntu (pronounced /zʊˈbʊntuː/)comes from its desktop environment called Xfce (officially pronounced as four letters, but some call it "ex-face"). Likewise, the L in Lubuntu comes from LXQt (or LXDE up to release 18.04). Both are based on X, although both support the new display server Wayland, which Lubuntu plans to use as default from 20.10 on. (source: Wikipedia)

[metal_slugger]

Can someone explain what X is and why it's not in all linux releases?
Can it be added to any version of linux?
Sorry for newb questions but I have no idea what X is.
Thanks in advance for any replies.

[wmarcio]

Lubuntu is the best distro and work very well. I sugest you install lubuntu 18.4.

[mitu]

X is an abbreviation for X.org, the component that provides the standard GUI in Unices/Linux systems. You shouldn't care too much about it, it's available for all distros - either by default or can be installed after the installation.
Use one of the options suggested - all of them have the necessary prerequisites for RetroPie to work on a PC.

[wmarcio]

And wont forget to install/update vulkan drivers.

[Clyde]

@wmarcio said in Suggest simple Linux distro for RetroPie use only?:

Lubuntu is the best distro and work very well. I sugest you install lubuntu 18.4.

Lubuntu's long term support (LTS) only lasts three years, so 18.04 will get updates only 'til April 2021. In contrast, the current LTS release 20.04 is supported until April 2023, so today I would choose the latter for a fresh installation.

[wmarcio]

Yes, I know that, but predicting problems, or even breaking the entire system with a very updated distro, I have by default, for all my computers, always install the previous LTS version, for security reasons, but the ideal is always the latest LTS version.

[bloodykean]

For more stability it is recommended that you install the previous LTS version. It will not update that often. Features will be less and less added. Till of course April 2021, less than a year. Then you switch to the next version.

[bloodykean]

For only RetroPie road i recommend that you try this: https://github.com/MizterB/RetroPie-Setup-Ubuntu/tree/LTS-20.04

[wmarcio]

@bloodykean said in Suggest simple Linux distro for RetroPie use only?:

For more stability it is recommended that you install the previous LTS version. It will not update that often. Features will be less and less added. Till of course April 2021, less than a year. Then you switch to the next version.

Thats the Idea.

[construkt]

@bloodykean I've been looking around for the best way to install Retropie on x86.

Is that distro going to let me have everything structured as it is on my RPi4? Like, I can basically run the thing headless, keep my video splashscreen and theme that I want to run? I just don't want to get something that will leave me bogged down with a desktop environment that will never get used. I'm waiting for my Intel NUC to arrive on Saturday, and I want to use it to replace my RPi4. My 4 runs great, but there are a lot more options with a more powerful machine. Would this script allow me an identical experience?

[construkt]

@mitu

Is it possible with that OS to set it up in such a way that it is identical to my Pi 4?