What GPU is the BEST for Linux Gaming?

Key Takeaways

• AMD remains the strongest choice for Linux gaming, with some games like Cyberpunk 2077 showing almost no performance loss compared to Windows
• Intel Arc GPUs show approximately 30% performance degradation on Linux, making most games run like a full tier lower graphics card
• Nvidia GPUs also experience around 30% performance loss on Linux, despite recent improvements in their Linux driver support
• The biggest challenge isn't brand choice but timing and age of hardware - newer Ubuntu versions (Ubuntu 25) provide better out-of-the-box driver support
• Different Linux distributions show functionally no difference in gaming performance, making the choice more about user preference and features
• For most users, GPU brand matters less than expected for day-to-day Linux usage outside of gaming

The Current State of Linux Gaming Hardware

The landscape of Linux gaming has evolved significantly over the past few years, prompting many users to reconsider their hardware choices. Linus Sebastian from Linus Tech Tips conducted an extensive investigation into which GPU manufacturer offers the best Linux gaming experience, testing not just raw performance numbers but also setup processes and daily usability.

The testing methodology involved five different GPUs representing recent and slightly older gaming cards from AMD, Nvidia, and Intel. Rather than focusing solely on specialized gaming distributions like Bazzite or SteamOS, the team chose Ubuntu 24.04 LTS as their primary testing platform, aiming to simulate a stable, user-friendly desktop experience that also handles gaming well.

Driver Support: The Initial Hurdle

Out-of-Box Experience Challenges

One of the most significant findings was that four out of five tested GPUs failed to work immediately after installation. This driver support issue remains a common challenge for Linux early adopters, though the severity varies significantly based on hardware age and timing.

The RTX 4060 Ti required Ubuntu's additional drivers page for proper functionality, which proved to be a relatively straightforward fix requiring only a reboot. However, the RTX 5060 Ti presented more complex challenges, as Ubuntu initially lacked any driver support, forcing users to rely on Nvidia's official drivers - a solution that many Linux enthusiasts consider less than ideal.

AMD's Radeon RX 7700 XT also lacked built-in drivers during initial testing, and AMD's official installer hadn't been released yet. The Intel Arc B580 appeared functional until gaming began, revealing underlying compatibility issues that required switching from Ubuntu's default GNOME environment to Kubuntu's KDE desktop environment.

The Solution: Newer Kernel Versions

The most effective solution across all hardware was upgrading from Ubuntu 24.04 LTS to Ubuntu 25, which includes a newer Linux kernel with built-in support for all tested cards. This highlights an important principle: the challenge often lies less in GPU brand selection and more in the timing of hardware purchases relative to kernel development cycles.

Day-to-Day Usability Across GPU Brands

Beyond gaming performance, Sebastian's team evaluated general desktop usage across different GPU manufacturers. The results were surprisingly uniform - for typical productivity tasks, the choice of GPU made minimal difference.

Modern computing workflows heavily favor browser-based applications, including Google Docs, Microsoft Teams, support ticketing systems, and even some design work. For tasks requiring native applications, Linux alternatives, virtual machines, or remote desktop solutions provide viable workarounds for most users.

Interestingly, Linus Torvalds himself uses an Intel Arc GPU for his daily work - not because of superior performance, but because GPU choice simply doesn't significantly impact his workflow. His primary concern was actually the quietness of the cooling solution rather than graphics performance.

Gaming Performance Analysis

Testing Methodology and Limitations

The gaming performance evaluation required careful consideration of testing tools, as typical Windows benchmarking software doesn't translate directly to Linux environments. The team relied on in-game benchmarking tools to ensure accurate cross-platform comparisons, though this approach prevented definitive Windows-to-Linux performance ratios.

Testing occurred at both 1080p and 1440p resolutions, with and without ray tracing enabled. The results consistently showed lower performance on Linux across all three GPU manufacturers, dispelling hopes for Linux gaming performance advantages.

Intel Arc Performance

Intel's Arc B580 demonstrated approximately 30% performance degradation compared to Windows gaming. This substantial loss effectively means games run as if using a graphics card one tier lower in performance. Some outliers proved even more problematic - Dota 2, despite having a native Linux build that bypasses Proton compatibility layers, delivered barely half the Windows performance.

Nvidia's Mixed Results

Nvidia's performance varied depending on the specific card and Ubuntu version used. The older RTX 4060 Ti maintained relatively competitive performance in many games when tested on Ubuntu 24.04, though some titles showed more significant performance gaps.

The newer RTX 5060 Ti, despite being a superior card, exhibited the same 30% performance degradation seen with Intel hardware. Perhaps more concerning, upgrading to Ubuntu 25 resulted in overall regression in Linux optimization across both Nvidia cards, suggesting either reduced Linux driver optimization or improved Windows driver performance.

AMD's Open Source Advantage

AMD emerged as the clear winner for Linux gaming performance, benefiting from their open-source driver approach. Some games like Cyberpunk 2077 showed virtually no performance loss compared to Windows, while certain titles like Strange Brigade on the RX 7700 XT actually performed better on Linux than Windows.

This superior performance stems from AMD's commitment to open-source drivers, allowing Linux developers to optimize performance more effectively. The open-source nature enables community contributions and faster iteration cycles compared to proprietary driver development.

Distribution Comparison

To address potential concerns about Ubuntu-specific results, the team tested the RX 7700 XT across multiple Linux distributions: Bazzite, Manjaro, Ubuntu 25, and Ubuntu 24. The testing revealed functionally identical performance across all distributions, which Sebastian noted as positive for the Linux gaming community.

This uniformity prevents fragmentation around "best gaming distro" debates, allowing users to choose distributions based on ease of use, pre-installed applications, user interface preferences, or specialized features rather than raw performance concerns.

The Broader Context of Linux Gaming

The investigation revealed that while AMD maintains its gaming performance advantage, the gap between GPU manufacturers has narrowed considerably for general Linux usage. The relationship between Nvidia and the Linux community has improved significantly, partly driven by Nvidia's heavy investment in AI development, which requires strong Linux developer relationships.

For users considering the switch to Linux, Sebastian suggests that GPU choice shouldn't be the primary deciding factor. More significant challenges involve selecting an appropriate distribution, configuring devices and workflows, and adapting to different software ecosystems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I wait to buy a new AMD GPU before switching to Linux?

No, you shouldn't wait to upgrade your GPU before making the Linux switch. While AMD does offer the best gaming performance on Linux, the differences aren't dramatic enough to justify delaying your transition. The bigger challenges you'll face involve choosing the right distribution for your needs and adapting your workflow to Linux alternatives. Even with Nvidia or Intel GPUs, Linux gaming is entirely viable, and you'll likely find that your GPU choice matters less for day-to-day computing tasks than you might expect.

Q: Which Linux distribution is best for gaming performance?

According to the testing, there's functionally no difference in gaming performance between major distributions like Ubuntu, Manjaro, and Bazzite. This means you should choose your distribution based on factors like ease of use, pre-installed software, user interface preferences, or specific features rather than raw gaming performance. Gaming-focused distributions like Bazzite or SteamOS might offer convenience features for gaming, but they won't give you better frame rates than a well-configured Ubuntu installation.

Q: How much worse is Linux gaming performance compared to Windows?

Linux gaming performance varies significantly by GPU manufacturer. AMD GPUs show the smallest performance gap, with some games like Cyberpunk 2077 showing almost no difference and occasionally performing better than Windows. Intel and Nvidia GPUs both show approximately 30% performance degradation on average, meaning games typically run as if you're using a graphics card one tier lower. However, this gap has been narrowing over time, and for many games, the difference is still very playable.

Q: Do I need to use Nvidia's proprietary drivers on Linux?

While Nvidia's proprietary drivers are often necessary for optimal performance, modern Linux distributions like Ubuntu 25 include better built-in support for Nvidia hardware. The easiest approach is to start with your distribution's built-in drivers or additional driver options before resorting to Nvidia's official drivers. Many Linux users prefer avoiding proprietary drivers when possible, but they remain a viable option if you need maximum compatibility or performance from your Nvidia GPU.