What GPU is the BEST for Linux Gaming?

Summary

This video delves into the challenges and experiences of using different GPUs on Linux, testing AMD, Nvidia, and Intel cards across several distributions and game benchmarks. The narrative explores driver support, ease of setup, day-to-day usability, and gaming performance on Linux, with an emphasis on open-source drivers. Despite some setbacks with Nvidia and Intel, AMD emerges as the standout for Linux gaming. However, the video concludes that Linux is increasingly accessible for gamers with all GPU brands, and users should not hesitate to switch despite minor performance losses.

Takeaways

• 😀 Linux adoption for gaming is still a mixed bag, with Nvidia cards showing significant performance loss compared to Windows.
• 😀 AMD remains a strong choice for Linux gaming due to open-source driver support, with some games even running better than on Windows.
• 😀 Intel GPUs have improved but still suffer from a noticeable performance drop on Linux, with Dota 2 showing particularly poor results.
• 😀 Setup and compatibility with Linux are heavily dependent on GPU drivers and kernel support, with newer versions of Ubuntu improving compatibility.
• 😀 Performance differences between GPUs are less important than driver support and overall compatibility with the chosen Linux distribution (DRO).
• 😀 Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, uses Intel Arc for his daily tasks, highlighting that GPU choice often doesn’t matter much for general work.
• 😀 For gaming, Nvidia showed a noticeable performance hit on Linux, with a regression seen in Ubuntu 25 compared to earlier versions.
• 😀 AMD’s open-source drivers for Linux provide a smoother experience, with fewer performance issues and even improvements in specific games.
• 😀 The experience of using Linux for gaming is less about the brand of GPU and more about the timing of driver support and the version of Linux used.
• 😀 The Linux desktop is becoming more accessible, especially for users who do most of their work in a browser, reducing the need for powerful GPUs.
• 😀 Despite Linux gaming still being behind Windows in terms of performance, the overall experience is increasingly improving as more resources and support for new users become available.

Q & A

Why does the speaker mention 'forced updates' and 'bloatware'?

The speaker is frustrated with the common issues found in modern computing, particularly with software updates that are pushed without user choice ('forced updates') and unnecessary features that take up system resources ('bloatware').

What is the speaker's opinion on Nvidia's relationship with Linux?

While Nvidia had a historically rocky relationship with Linux, the speaker notes that the relationship has improved, especially with Nvidia's increasing involvement in AI, which requires support from Linux developers.

Is AMD still the best GPU choice for Linux?

While AMD remains a strong choice for Linux, the speaker suggests that other GPU brands, like Nvidia and Intel, have made significant improvements, and the best choice ultimately depends on specific use cases and the timing of driver support.

What was the issue with Nvidia's drivers during testing?

During testing, Nvidia's newer cards, like the 5060 Ti, didn't have proper drivers available on Ubuntu 24. This led the team to use Nvidia's official driver, which many Linux users avoid due to compatibility and reliability concerns.

How did the choice of Linux distribution (DRO) affect the testing?

The initial testing was done on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, which caused issues with driver support. After switching to Ubuntu 25, which had a newer kernel and better driver support, most issues were resolved, showing the importance of using the right distribution and kernel version.

What was the result of the day-to-day usability testing of Linux with different GPUs?

The day-to-day experience on Linux was largely similar across all tested GPUs, with the biggest difference being the performance in gaming. The speaker emphasizes that for many users, particularly those who do most work in a browser, the GPU choice may not matter significantly.

How does Intel's B580 GPU perform on Linux compared to Windows?

Intel's B580 GPU performed about 30% worse on average on Linux compared to Windows, with some games like Dota 2 showing significantly lower performance despite having a native Linux version.

What were the performance differences for Nvidia GPUs on Linux?

Nvidia's 5060 Ti showed a 30% performance drop on Linux compared to Windows. The speaker notes that this is not as bad as some online discussions suggest but still indicates a performance gap that Nvidia could improve.

What makes AMD GPUs particularly good for Linux gaming?

AMD benefits from open-source driver support, which leads to better optimization and performance in certain games. For example, the RX 970 showed near-zero performance loss in games like Cyberpunk 2077, and even outperformed other cards in some tests like Strange Brigade.

How does the choice of Linux distribution (DRO) affect gaming performance?

In the tests conducted, different distributions (like Ubuntu 24, Ubuntu 25, and Manjaro) did not show significant differences in performance when using AMD's RX 7700 XT. This suggests that the GPU performance is less dependent on the distribution, as long as the drivers are properly supported.