Windows vs Linux Gaming Performance Comparison: AMD vs Nvidia

Performance Analysis of Upgrading from Windows 11: Insights and Linux Alternatives

In a recent analysis, we explored the performance implications of upgrading from Windows 11 version 23H2 to 24H2. Our findings revealed some intriguing outcomes across various scenarios.

The Upgrade Dilemma: Windows 10’s End-of-Support and Linux Alternatives

For numerous users, the option to upgrade to Windows 11 may not be feasible as many Windows 10 devices fail to meet the new system requirements. With the impending end-of-support date for Windows 10, ESET recently recommended that users unable to transition should consider switching to Linux for continued support.

Gaming Performance: Windows 11 vs. Linux

If you predominantly use your PC for gaming and are curious about the performance differentials when making the switch to Linux, particularly with an AMD Radeon GPU, you’re in luck. AMD graphics cards have demonstrated fairly consistent performance across both Windows 10 and Linux environments. Conversely, Nvidia users may face noteworthy drops in performance following such a transition.

Testing Overview

The testing process was orchestrated by the YouTube channel Tech YES City, utilizing Bazzite, a Linux distribution tailored for gaming comparisons. This assessment served as a retest, rectifying earlier errors due to the failure to enable the Steam compatibility layer, which significantly hampered performance.

Introducing Bazzite: A User-Friendly Linux Distribution

Bazzite, which is derived from Fedora Atomic, aims to simplify the transition to Linux for new users. According to the official Bazzite website:

Bazzite is designed for Linux newcomers and enthusiasts alike with Steam pre-installed, HDR & VRR support, improved CPU schedulers for responsive gameplay, and numerous community-developed tools and tweaks to streamline your gaming and streaming experience.

Performance Metrics: Key Gaming Titles

When evaluating specific games, our findings indicate performance levels for various titles:

Cyberpunk 2077

The results revealed a decrease in performance on the RTX 4090 when running on Bazzite, noticeable at both 1440p and 2160p (4K) resolutions.

Rift Breaker

Contrarily, Rift Breaker emerged as an exception with more favorable performance results.

Black Myth: Wukong

Similar to Cyberpunk 2077, Black Myth: Wukong also exhibited performance declines on Nvidia hardware while running on Bazzite.

These performance assessments suggest that users equipped with Nvidia GPUs may need to accept lower performance levels compared to their AMD Radeon counterparts.

Compatibility Requirements for Bazzite

For the optimal experience on Bazzite, users should ensure their GPUs support Vulkan version 1.3 or later. Additionally, the CPU must be a 64-bit processor (AMD64/x86_64). To check for Vulkan compatibility, downloading a tool like GPU-Z would be beneficial. Once installed, navigate to the Advanced tab and check the drop-down menu for the Vulkan version. For instance, on my RX 6800 XT, it displays Version 1.3.280.

For further insights and visuals, visit the comprehensive testing review by Tech YES City on their YouTube channel.

Source and images from Neowin.