this post was submitted on 18 Dec 2024
103 points (94.8% liked)
Linux
48665 readers
519 users here now
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
Rules
- Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
- No misinformation
- No NSFW content
- No hate speech, bigotry, etc
Related Communities
Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0
founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
Very accurate comment, and to expand on this, things like media codecs, windows dependencies, etc also cause problems. Luckily Proton can play just about any game on Steam.
For example, Marvel Rivals is a new game that just came out and its anti-cheat works with Linux. I play it with ProtonGE, which installs extra codecs that regular proton versions don't include and it works awesome.
Check out protondb.com to search what specific games work for others on linux.
Does Steam ever deliver Linux-native builds instead of running games through Proton?
Yes. There are some games where the Linux-specific bugs don't get fixed and it's better to just run the Windows version thru Proton and take like a 10-20% performance hit so it runs with more stability.
Sometimes the Windows versions just run better than the Linux build because of bad optimization on the Linux build of a given game, as well (OpenGL vs Vulkan drivers, etc etc)
there's no way it's a 10-20% performance hit
Is it usually more or less than this?
Way less, even better performance than native windows in some cases
Flightless Mango used to have some good comparisons, but they're about four years out-of-date, now. Even then, you'd expect between 10% worse and 5% better on Linux. https://flightlessmango.com/benchmarks/
Forbes article here is from this year; expect between 5% worse and 25% better when running on Linux. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2024/08/21/linux-scores-a-surprising-gaming-victory-against-windows-11/
General experience is that generally there's no noticeable difference at all; some games that use new features might have bad performance until the new features are implemented. Last game I really had a problem with was Horizon Zero Dawn. Elden Ring had bad performance on launch day, but was fixed the next day I think.
These are solid sources to cite, but for the record I was talking about a Linux native build vs a Windows build running under Proton, not a Windows build running in Windows vs running in Proton. Linux is a more efficient OS and well-optimized builds made for it can really fly.
Linux Native builds generally have better performance than Windows builds running on Windows. That's what I was comparing between
i don't think that's 10-20% either
I did say it varies and sometimes the Windows build runs better than the Linux build depending on optimization
I agree it varies, but even a 10% difference is a lot
https://store.steampowered.com/search/?os=linux
Yes, I’ve run several games native. ProtonDB will indicate if it runs natively (though some people will report using proton on natively supported games out of habit)
EDIT: some games are supported natively, but should use proton for mods. For example, Mount and Blade Warband runs just fine without proton, but if using mods it should be run with proton. This will also be indicated on ProtonDB in my experience
When you see the Windows and Apple icons on a game, that indicates native Windows and MacOS support. The Steam logo is native SteamOS/Linux. You'll also see a "SteamOS/Linux" section on the system requirements.