What is CachyOS? Who it is for
CachyOS is built on Arch. It uses KDE Plasma, with others on offer as its desktop and pacman for software, and it follows a rolling release, so updates arrive continuously with no big version jumps.
CachyOS at a glance
- Foundation: built on Arch
- Desktop: KDE Plasma, with others on offer
- Software tools: pacman
- Release style: a rolling release, so updates arrive continuously with no big version jumps
- Installer: the Calamares installer
Who CachyOS suits
CachyOS suits people who want a fast Arch-based system tuned for performance and gaming.
Strengths
- Software stays close to the newest versions without waiting for a new release.
- Sensible defaults for Steam, Proton and current graphics drivers.
- The KDE Plasma desktop, with a great deal of customisation built in.
Things to consider
- Updates never stop arriving, so update often and keep a backup in case an update needs fixing.
- Newer hardware can need extra driver steps, so check your graphics card before you commit.
- As a rough guide, about 4 GB of RAM is a comfortable minimum for a desktop session.
Try CachyOS from a USB drive
The easiest way to find out is to start it from a USB drive without changing your computer. See the CachyOS bootable USB drive, then follow our install guide when you are ready. New to this? Read how to try Linux without installing it and how to boot from a USB drive.
Compare CachyOS
- Arch Linux vs CachyOS
- Manjaro vs CachyOS
- EndeavourOS vs CachyOS
- CachyOS vs Garuda Linux
- Nobara vs CachyOS
- CachyOS vs Pop!_OS
Installing software on CachyOS
CachyOS uses pacman. These commands search for a program and install it (replace name with the program):
pacman -Ss name sudo pacman -S name
Most desktop systems also have a graphical software store. See how to install software on Linux.
Frequently asked questions
Is CachyOS good for beginners?
It can be used by beginners, but CachyOS is aimed more at people who want a fast Arch-based system tuned for performance and gaming. If you are brand new, a beginner-friendly distribution such as Linux Mint or Ubuntu is usually an easier first step.
What desktop does CachyOS use?
CachyOS uses KDE Plasma, with others on offer. To learn how desktops differ, read what GNOME, KDE, Xfce and Cinnamon are.
How much RAM does CachyOS need?
As a rough guide, about 4 GB of RAM is a comfortable minimum for a desktop session.
Is CachyOS based on another distribution?
CachyOS is built on Arch.
How often is CachyOS updated?
CachyOS follows a rolling release, so updates arrive continuously with no big version jumps.
How can I try CachyOS without installing it?
Write it to a USB drive, restart, choose the drive from the boot menu and pick the live or try option. Nothing on your internal disk changes unless you choose to install.