I'm building a gaming PC for the first time and I'm trying to figure out which operating system would give me better performance while gaming. Should I go with Windows 11 or consider Linux instead?
4 Answers
Generally, Windows 11 tends to deliver better gaming performance in most cases, especially if you're on an Nvidia GPU. If you're into competitive esports, Linux isn't the best option since most anti-cheat systems don't work well with it. However, I run Fedora with a 9800x3d and 9070xt, and it's been smooth for my gaming needs, pushing great FPS on titles I enjoy like Baldur's Gate 3 and Cyberpunk. But if gaming is your main focus, Windows is likely the safer bet.
If you're new to PC gaming, I would just stick with Windows 11; it's the most straightforward choice.
I've heard about gaming-focused Linux distros like Bazzite that use Proton, similar to the Steam Deck. They can perform quite well, but if you're playing online games, Windows is the way to go due to better compatibility with anti-cheat systems.
For a dedicated gaming PC, gaming-specific distros like Bazzite or Nobara might offer better performance since they don’t come with all the bloatware that Windows does. Just be cautious about compatibility issues, particularly with multiplayer games that rely on anti-cheats.
Thanks, that definitely makes my decision easier!