The discussion about gaming on Linux has evolved dramatically over the past few years. It’s a narrative of success crafted by committed developers involved with the Linux kernel and the open-source graphics stack, significantly supported by innovations like the Steam Deck. A large number of these contributors work for companies such as Valve and Red Hat, while others are dedicated volunteers spending their personal time to enhance Linux gaming. No need for a history session here, but it’s a fitting introduction to yet another area where Linux is outpacing Windows.
My recent experiences with the Framework 13 laptop, equipped with the new Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and AMD Ryzen 7 7480U, presented a prime chance to observe how various games performed on Windows 11 compared to Fedora 40. The results were quite surprising!
Below are some details on the Framework system and the test settings used.
The Framework 13 running Fedora 40, shown with its 180-degree hinge fully extended.
The Framework 13 provides sufficient gaming capabilities with its onboard graphics, although adjustments to the resolution and quality settings might be necessary for more intensive games. This performance also highlights significant advancements in AMD’s APUs over the last decade.
For a fair comparison between operating systems, the energy settings were consistently maintained on “Performance.” Importantly, performance metrics were recorded starting from the second benchmark test to avoid anomalies from thermal throttling that might affect the initial run.
In the case of Fedora 40, a system update was executed prior to any tests. The system was left unaltered with no custom kernels, specialized versions of Proton, or cutting-edge graphics drivers; the tests were conducted with the default offerings of the Fedora 40 kernel.
For Windows 11, the system was also updated, and the Radeon 780M driver was upgraded to version 24.7.1 to replace the slightly older driver version included in Framework’s original driver package.
OK! Let’s kick things off with two games that have native versions for both Windows and Linux.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider’s native version: Windows vs Linux
It could be argued that this isn’t a fair fight despite both OSes running their native versions of Lara Croft’s 2018 adventure. Linux is rocking the Vulkan API, and Windows is utilizing DX12. However, it does show both operating systems playing to their strengths. Indeed, Fedora 40 pulls off 7% higher average framerates.
Total War: Warhammer III does battles its native version on Windows and Linux.
In this match-up featuring Warhammer III’s Battle benchmark, we see Vulkan on Linux competing against DX11 on Windows. The minor difference in performance is largely attributed to the game’s variability in each run, but essentially, Windows edges out slightly ahead.
Cyberpunk 2077 FPS comparison on Windows 11 versus Fedora 40
This outcome was unexpected because it takes us into Proton territory. Proton, developed by Valve, is a compatibility layer enabling Windows games to function on Linux. This technology is crucial for the Steam Deck and significantly expands the range of games accessible on Linux platforms.
However, running applications on an operating system they were not originally designed for usually brings a performance drop, which is evident from Proton games in the past. While it allows gameplay on Linux, there is usually a performance decrease ranging from 5% to 30%.
That’s what makes both of these Cyberpunk 2077 results so interesting. Without FSR scaling enabled, Fedora 40 ekes out a 3% performance advantage. Considering the information, that’s quite a victory in my opinion.
Cyberpunk 2077 FPS comparison on Windows 11 vs Fedora 40, with FSR Balanced
And wow, things look even brighter when utilizing AMD FSR! Bumping up the graphics from Low to Medium and switching on FSR “Balanced,” Fedora 40 pulls away a bit more, turning in 7% higher average FPS and, crucially, a 24% higher minimum framerate.
Forza Horizon 5 FPS comparison on Windows 11 vs Fedora 40 without dynamic resolution or image upscaling
Yes, Windows wins here. But what’s notable is that when Forza Horizon 5 released in 2021, Linux gaming websites published celebratory headlines about the fact that it ran at all. Now, only three years later, this Microsoft-developed DirectX 12 game is performing admirably right out of the box (on Steam Deck, too). A 7% performance deficit with the overhead of running Proton? Things are improving, and improving quickly,
Another exciting takeaway is that holy cow, we now live in a world where a Linux laptop with integrated graphics can run a modern racing game above 60FPS at 1080p. I love living in that world.
These results are an interesting slice of the Linux vs Windows gaming picture, but certainly not representative of the entire landscape. A few shorts years ago, however, I never would have dreamed I’d be writing an article where even two games on Linux are outperforming their Windows counterparts.
That said, I want to run these same benchmarks on laptops with dedicated AMD and Nvidia GPUs and see what happens. If you’re interested in seeing those results, follow me here at Forbes or on Mastodon and I’ll keep you posted.
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