Hmmm. You might have a look at the Arch Linux wiki. https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Main_page Those guys are more likely to up on the latest hardware & problems. ('Powercolor’s a new name to me.) You could also try their forums. https://bbs.archlinux.org/

I’m going to enjoy that multi-app FX stack.

That’s one of the first problems I need solved, so thanks for asking. I used to use pulseEffects to get one place to go for system-wide volume, EQ & compression settings, and want that back.

One of the problems it had was that many FX wouldn’t work without having to install a set of non-default libraries, and the available docs weren’t too clear on that. Will be visiting Ee docs.

Yakuake isn’t part of the LM (Ubuntu) repository, but is available via Software Manager. (Reminds me of my long ago KDE install where I used ‘Quake’.) For some reason the launch took a lot of cycles, but it works ok.

(ArchWiki info: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Yakuake#Usage)

Try this: 1) download a Linux distro ISO (recommend Mint Cinnamon because of help forum) 2) Use ETCHER to burn it onto an EMPTY USB stick (4G is enuf; ERASE it if it’s not new). 3) Insert the stick into a USB port, reboot and get into your BIOS. 4) Do not use SecureBoot, Try to use a LEGACY boot instead of UEFI (if your BIOS has that option).
4. Now use your BIOS to boot from the stick.

If all of that works you have booted from the stick and see the Mint OS Icon. Then you’re in a ‘LIVE USB’ session with the option to install Linux to your drive at the upper left (I think, don’t use Cinnamon). No hurry. Just live there, and maybe go through all of that 1 or 2 more times.

Just take time to get used to the OS for a while. You need to make sure that there’s room on the drive for the install. 20-25GB is plenty. So your ‘BOATLOAD’ should be more than enough. (You can also install it on -another- drive if you like. SO easy!)

Find a web page or video that comfortably helps YOU understand the install process (a snap, until you get to the important page where you tell it WHERE to install the OS). Be sure you have prepared the drive (if need be) before you do the install. ENJOY (I’ve done a -lot- of LM installs. Only ONCE from a Windows environment, NEVER again.)

In case of any snags, the busy and help Mint Forum page is here: https://forums.linuxmint.com/