Hey everyone! I'm looking to build a new PC primarily for gaming on Linux. I'm really tired of Windows and want to explore what Steam has to offer on Linux. I've heard that AMD GPUs are the way to go since they tend to have better support than Nvidia, which is definitely a plus. My previous build was with an Nvidia 4080, and while it had some cool features like ray tracing, I've noticed that GPU advancements seem to have plateaued recently.
I'm not planning to upgrade immediately since I'm also considering passing my current rig to my wife, but I want to know if making the switch to AMD now would be worth it. How is AMD's gaming performance on Linux these days? Have any of you regretted missing out on Nvidia's features like ray tracing or upscaling? Additionally, is there an AMD GPU that could significantly outperform my current 4080? I'm also okay with waiting a few months if there are new AMD releases on the horizon. Just to add, I generally avoid multiplayer games with anti-cheat, so I'm not overly worried about common Linux gaming issues. Thanks for any insights!
4 Answers
If you have an extra SSD, I recommend trying a gaming-focused distro like Garuda. Just install it and see how well your games run on AMD. I've been on Linux for a decade, and while AMD has been smoother in many cases, Nvidia has gotten people playing too. Just know that AMD might come with some minor headaches regarding Wayland and certain SteamOS distros.
For Linux, you pretty much need an AMD GPU, no getting around that. Nvidia’s support on Linux is just not good because of their proprietary drivers. AMD’s driver quality has really improved across the board, and features like upscaling and ray tracing are almost on par with Nvidia. Just keep in mind, even the top AMD card isn’t going to blow your 4080 out of the water performance-wise.
AMD is on a solid path for gaming right now. I wouldn’t stress too much about the performance difference; both AMD and Nvidia have stagnated in that regard. If you’re just into gaming, consider an R7 7800X3D for your CPU, it's a fantastic choice compared to the higher-end Intel options. Moving from your 4080 to an AMD GPU won’t yield a noticeable benefit.
Thanks for clarifying that! It seems like the CPU might be a more sensible upgrade route for me.
From my experience, GPU advancements have definitely slowed down, mainly due to hitting physical limits. It’s smarter to invest in newer generations for the features rather than just raw performance. As for AMD, I'm all in on that front for Linux gaming. The old adage rings true: AMD generally performs better on Linux, especially nowadays!
Thanks for the input! I’m leaning toward going full AMD if I decide to upgrade.
I’ve had decent luck with native Linux games on Nvidia's drivers, but I appreciate the tips. How do you feel about your decade-long journey with Linux?