The landscape of gaming on Linux has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, driven by the dedication of developers refining the Linux kernel and enhancing the open-source graphics stack. This evolution has been significantly supported by the introduction of the Steam Deck, with many contributors hailing from Valve and Red Hat, alongside enthusiastic volunteers committed to advancing Linux gaming. This article aims to highlight a recent performance triumph for Linux over Windows, without delving too deeply into the historical context.
Recently, I had the opportunity to test the Framework 13 laptop, equipped with the new Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and the AMD Ryzen 7 7480U. This presented an ideal setting to compare gaming performance across Windows 11 and Fedora 40. The results were nothing short of surprising.
The Framework 13 System:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7840U (with Radeon 780M Graphics)
- RAM: 32GB DDR5-5600
- OS #1: Windows 11 Home (version 22631.4037)
- OS #2: Fedora Linux 40 (kernel 6.10.4-200)
The Framework 13 demonstrates impressive gaming capabilities, even with its integrated graphics, although players may need to adjust resolution and quality settings for more demanding titles. This performance is a testament to the advancements made in AMD’s APUs over the last decade.
To ensure a fair comparison, both operating systems were set to “Performance” mode throughout the testing. Notably, results were recorded only from the second run of each benchmark to avoid any thermal throttling that may have affected initial performance.
Prior to testing on Fedora 40, I performed a system update, using only the standard kernel and drivers included with the distribution. On Windows 11, I updated the system and upgraded the Radeon 780M driver to version 24.7.1, as the driver bundle provided by Framework was slightly outdated at the time of testing.
Let’s explore the performance of several games that have native versions available for both operating systems.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
In the case of Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the competition between the two operating systems is intriguing, as Linux utilizes the Vulkan API while Windows employs DX12. Ultimately, Fedora 40 achieved an impressive 7% higher average framerates, showcasing the strengths of both platforms.
Total War: Warhammer III
When examining Total War: Warhammer III, the performance comparison reveals a narrow gap, attributed largely to the game’s inherent run-to-run variance. In this instance, Windows takes the lead, albeit by a slim margin.
Cyberpunk 2077
The results for Cyberpunk 2077 were particularly unexpected, as this title operates under Proton, Valve’s compatibility layer for running Windows games on Linux. Historically, running games through Proton has resulted in a performance penalty, typically ranging from 5% to 30%. However, in this case, Fedora 40 managed to secure a 3% performance advantage without FSR scaling enabled, marking a notable achievement.
When utilizing AMD’s FSR technology, the performance gap widened further, with Fedora 40 achieving a 7% higher average FPS and a remarkable 24% increase in minimum framerate when settings were adjusted from Low to Medium.
Forza Horizon 5
While Windows ultimately takes the lead in Forza Horizon 5, it’s noteworthy that just a few years ago, the mere fact that this Microsoft-developed DirectX 12 game could run on Linux was cause for celebration. Now, a mere three years later, the performance gap has narrowed to just 7%, even with the additional overhead of running Proton. This progress is both exciting and indicative of the rapid advancements in Linux gaming.
These findings provide a fascinating glimpse into the ongoing competition between Linux and Windows in the gaming realm. Just a few years ago, it would have been hard to imagine a scenario where Linux could outperform Windows in even a couple of titles. As I look ahead, I am eager to conduct further benchmarks on laptops equipped with dedicated AMD and Nvidia GPUs to see how the performance landscape evolves. For those interested in following these developments, I invite you to connect with me on Forbes or Mastodon for updates.
