Linux Gaming

Imo must have specs include SSD (2 TB preferred), and at least 16 GB RAM, but more is better. Also a decent GPU. I still do okay with my old RX 580 but sometimes run into issues and need to turn down settings to get better fps.

I know there are distros meant for newbs and distros meant for gaming, but if you're just starting honestly I would go mainstream with a Debian or Ubuntu, so you can easily get support from others who have asked the same questions.

Debian stable is rock solid and while it might not have all the latest versions of everything in the default repos, it will NOT break. Ever. I've ran it for about a decade now on various machines no issues. I did manage to also get steam and VR working with Debian, but iirc while steam itself is easy and mostly out of the box, the VR needed some installation.

Ubuntu is mainstream but has Snap and snap sucks, but it will also have easy to find solutions if you search for help. But I've also ran into problems with snap versions of programs and tools having odd problems.

My daily driver for gaming had been Archlinux for 7 years, but that broke a few times. Do NOT recommend for newbs as the install was also very manual. Right now I'm on Garuda and have been for probably 4-ish years. If you grab the right installer it actually has a very newb friendly install, but it is Arch -based so while I view it as easy, and I've had no issues whatsoever in those 4 years, I'm reluctant to recommend it for a first distro right off the bat.

So if I were you, I'd start with a distro like Ubuntu or Debian stable, do the stock install but pay attention to what it says about partitioning at the beginning. If it offers to put /home on its own partition, select that, make it as large as reasonable (1/2 to 3/4 disk size). After you get comfortable with your Ubuntu or Debian, then learn about partitioning and look into distro hopping and dual booting. Keep a LiveUSB on hand just in case you break your bootloader, never hurts to have one or more recovery USBs.