running windows games on top of linux?

[nehemiah]

i wanna go to linux on my desktop. ****ing windows is irritating the **** out of me. i hate bill gates and i hate their push for proprietary bullshit only use windows software horseshit. and the OS sucks, anyways. /rant

i have debian on my laptop and it works like a charm.

BUT, and it's a very large issue in the household, if my g/f can't relax and play some Sims every once in a while - she will cut off my head.

so................... i know they are out there - but what are the best programs to run windows games on top of a linux box? just games, mind you, the rest of the windows apps that we use (outlook, AIM, word, excel, etc.........) are available in freeware replacements.

[35Pete]

i wanna go to linux on my desktop. ****ing windows is irritating the **** out of me. i hate bill gates and i hate their push for proprietary bullshit only use windows software horseshit. and the OS sucks, anyways. /rant

i have debian on my laptop and it works like a charm.

BUT, and it's a very large issue in the household, if my g/f can't relax and play some Sims every once in a while - she will cut off my head.

so................... i know they are out there - but what are the best programs to run windows games on top of a linux box? just games, mind you, the rest of the windows apps that we use (outlook, AIM, word, excel, etc.........) are available in freeware replacements.

I thought about that too.

I have a beast of a machine. Extremely potent dual-core processor. VERY fast RAM, and the best video card money can buy.

But I still defer.

Why?

Because the windows emulator will kill my performance. Big time. My Windows Experience Rating (hardware capabilities) is a 5.6 out of 5.9. The only way to get a perfect score is to go Dual-core Extreme. The average new PC has a rating of around 2.6-2.8.

Now if I am not going to do it then I'd suggest that you don't either.

Either go pure linux (a better OS) or pure Microsuck.

I'm trapped. I am a gamer. Otherwise I'd go Linux.

[nehemiah]

neither of us are "hardcore" gamers.

just simple games will do. i actually prefer the games from 2/3 years ago and football manager.

she's into the Sims 2. if we could run FM and Sims 2 - life would be good.

:arizona:

what emulator were you using?

[35Pete]

http://www.winehq.com/

[Merc]

Your best bet is to check into the various forums that are dedicated to Linux. I am sure there is some way to run nearly any game on Linux but ask the guys who eat and breath the stuff. You can always install linux on a standalone drive and dual boot, that way your g/f would never know it was there.

My advice is not to change the PC in any way that she will notice. My wife couldn't care less about performance, she just wants to teleconference with friends and family in Turkey, IM and work on photos. Of course she never complains when I upgrade her rig and it is twice as fast. What sucks is I have to make the switch transparent. All settings and folders the same etc. on a completely different platform. Lot's and lot's of work.