Comparative Linux Gaming Benchmarks

[m0nt3]

closed source drivers is why i stick with LTS distros, avoid the rolling release ones. Kernel dodge ball is not fun. I have read the new crimson driver on linux i supposed to support kernel 4.x but I fail to get display after installation.

 

[silentbogo]

closed source drivers is why i stick with LTS distros, avoid the rolling release ones. Kernel dodge ball is not fun. I have read the new crimson driver on linux i supposed to support kernel 4.x but I fail to get display after installation.

So far I've been fortunate and kernel updates did not mess with my drivers, but there is an issue of WiFi adapter....
I have an ASUS PCE-N53, which does not have a Linux driver for anything higher than 2.6, but there is a community patch for Mediatek drivers, which works for 3.xx and 4.xx, but after every minor update my Ubuntu fails to start. I have to blacklist card's module from recovery mode, reboot, recompile, reinstall and reboot again to get it going. Plus the connection speed is always terrible.

 

[m0nt3]

Nvidia is better about recent kernel support with their drivers, unfortunately not so with AMD, however AMD is much better on the opensource side.

 

[silentbogo]

First bad news: can't benchmark Bioshock: Infinite in Linux, other than with current game config. I am not sure if my weird installation is at fault, or some bug with eON environment or Steam, but when I use -ForceCompatLevel=x I get no change in settings at all. I can go back and forth and change settings in-game or re-edit config before each run, but then it will take 'till 2016 to get it all done...
The only thing I can say for sure is that it runs excellent on both platforms at Ultra settings!

I guess I am going to skip Bioshock and do a couple Unreal Engine 4 demos instead.

 

[mroofie]

It's not a 90's stereotype, it's a reality in 2015. How often do you have to use CMD in Windows to change something? Every freaking guide online for Linux is a noodle of commands. In Windows, only time that exists it's as a shortcut because you need to write less. On Linux, it's the only option.

And the fact that Linux doesn't have unified installers is just crap. On Windows, run that EXE and it'll do what it's suppose to do. On Linux it's always some weird package that may or may not do anything whatsoever. And then you have like 6 installers for what is essentially the same thing with a different GUI. No, just no. I've always loved Slax because I had it on those mini CD's, I loved Ubuntu because of the same portability, but as an every day OS, just too damn clumsy. I still give them a go here and there just to see it hasn't really changed much and then I reinstall WIndows again... Which is a shame because it would be nice to have a free Windows alternative that actualyl works.

omg +1

Linux is really over hyped in my opinion

Don’t kill me fan boys

 

[silentbogo]

omg +1

Linux is really over hyped in my opinion

Don’t kill me fan boys

There are at least few things wrong with this statement:
1) You are probably using Linux on more devices than you suspect, and you have no alternatives even if you don't like it
2) Besides your opinion there is really nothing that confirms this "over-hype-inness"
3) There are no fanboys here, unless your bad experience with running Dead Space 2 in Wine turned you into a devoted MS acolyte.

 

[mroofie]

There are at least few things wrong with this statement:
1) You are probably using Linux on more devices than you suspect, and you have no alternatives even if you don't like it
2) Besides your opinion there is really nothing that confirms this "over-hype-inness"
3) There are no fanboys here, unless your bad experience with running Dead Space 2 in Wine turned you into a devoted MS acolyte.

Read again >>>opinion<<<

devoted MS acolyte.... (considering im using linux I doubt it)

Your response confirms my last point

 

[R-T-B]

If anything is overhyped it's Windows... by MS.

 

[looniam]

MOAR!

please.

 

[Hillbilly]

silentbogo thanks a lot. keep up the good work.

 

[Space Lynx]

Would you recommend Ubuntu Budgie? Will it auto install Nvidia gtx 1070 and intel chipset drivers for me? I heard Ubuntu Budgie is more user friendly than regular Ubuntu in this sense. Is this correct or no? If no, then I am afraid I will be sticking with windows

 

[silentbogo]

Would you recommend Ubuntu Budgie? Will it auto install Nvidia gtx 1070 and intel chipset drivers for me?

Budgie only differs from stock Ubuntu with desktop environment. I haven't tried it yet, but in regards to drivers and Steam it should be the same as any other Ubuntu-based distro.
Basically, Intel drivers will install automatically (you'll only have to switch to Intel microcode in "Updates > Additional Drivers"). GeForce driver can be installed from an official installer on Nvidia website.
I'm not 100% sure, but I also think that Ubuntu now has a separate ppa for graphics drivers, so if it's finally out of testing, you may be able to install both Intel and Nvidia drivers via "Additional Drivers".

 

[Space Lynx]

Budgie only differs from stock Ubuntu with desktop environment. I haven't tried it yet, but in regards to drivers and Steam it should be the same as any other Ubuntu-based distro.
Basically, Intel drivers will install automatically (you'll only have to switch to Intel microcode in "Updates > Additional Drivers"). GeForce driver can be installed from an official installer on Nvidia website.
I'm not 100% sure, but I also think that Ubuntu now has a separate ppa for graphics drivers, so if it's finally out of testing, you may be able to install both Intel and Nvidia drivers via "Additional Drivers".

Nice sounds like it is time to give Ubuntu a shot after all. There are loads of Linux indie games I can play while I wait on my ultimate 7nm PC build in late 2019.

 

[silentbogo]

Nice sounds like it is time to give Ubuntu a shot after all. There are loads of Linux indie games I can play while I wait on my ultimate 7nm PC build in late 2019.

Even before Valve's Proton release I was able to play half of my game library on Linux. Now it's nearly all of it.
GLHF

 

[Space Lynx]

Even before Valve's Proton release I was able to play half of my game library on Linux. Now it's nearly all of it.
GLHF

If all I want to do is listen to Spotify, play Steam games, and browse the web in Chrome - would you recommend official branch of Ubuntu LTS or Linux Mint? Also, there are loads of steam games I own that support linux natively or so they say, like stardew valley for example, for those games I do not need to use something like Wine or Valve Proton, correct?

 

[StrayKAT]

If all I want to do is listen to Spotify, play Steam games, and browse the web in Chrome - would you recommend official branch of Ubuntu LTS or Linux Mint? Also, there are loads of steam games I own that support linux natively or so they say, like stardew valley for example, for those games I do not need to use something like Wine or Valve Proton, correct?

You're not asking me, but yeah, native games don't need Proton/Wine.

From my understanding, LTS just has older (but time tested software). You don't sound interested in the absolute newest features, so I don't think you'd notice.

 

[Space Lynx]

You're not asking me, but yeah, native games don't need Proton/Wine.

From my understanding, LTS just has older (but time tested software). You don't sound interested in the absolute newest features, so I don't think you'd notice.

Linux Mint looks prettier, but I hear Ubuntu has easier installation process for nubs like me. Can't decide. lol I guess I can try both just use two different partitions.

 

[StrayKAT]

Linux Mint looks prettier, but I hear Ubuntu has easier installation process for nubs like me. Can't decide. lol I guess I can try both just use two different partitions.

Well, they both can run in Live CD/USB versions, so you can try em out that way before installing.

 

[Space Lynx]

Well, they both can run in Live CD/USB versions, so you can try em out that way before installing.

oh yeah, I forgot about that actually. I did try Ubuntu last year that way very briefly. thanks, will do that then decide

 

[phill]

Might be worth a try considering the lovely updates you have with Windows 10....

 

[StrayKAT]

Might be worth a try considering the lovely updates you have with Windows 10....

Rolling release distros seem to be popular in the Linux world too, and could potentially screw things up just as much.
Having the latest and greatest is kind of a double edged sword, I guess.

But still I agree, MS shouldn't be as careless as that. People on rolling releases know what they're getting into.

 

[Joss]

People on rolling releases know what they're getting into

Yeah, Microsoft went rolling with Windows 10 but they don't have the benefit of a Unix architecture.
Imagine how Arch would be beautifully perfect with the resources of Redmond

 

[phill]

Rolling release distros seem to be popular in the Linux world too, and could potentially screw things up just as much.
Having the latest and greatest is kind of a double edged sword, I guess.

But still I agree, MS shouldn't be as careless as that. People on rolling releases know what they're getting into.

I don't believe we get much choice with Windows 10, so we are at the mercy of MS with that and by the looks of it, I'm not sure that they do know what they are doing....

 

[StrayKAT]

I don't believe we get much choice with Windows 10, so we are at the mercy of MS with that and by the looks of it, I'm not sure that they do know what they are doing....

Here's hoping they learned their lesson after the October update. Might've been a wakeup call.

 

[blobster21]

Might've been a wakeup call.

Or not. Everything will be forgotten / forgiven in a year from now. We never learn from our mistakes.