I've been dual-booting Windows and Linux for gaming, using the same games and settings on both OSes. While performance is similar overall, I've noticed something concerning: my 0.1% lows are much lower on Windows. For example, they can drop to just 20-30% of my average FPS, while on Linux they usually hover around 50%. This makes the gaming experience feel significantly smoother on Linux. Is my Windows installation faulty, or is there something inherent about Windows that makes it less efficient with my CPU?
5 Answers
Windows has more overhead compared to Linux, which is likely contributing to your issue. Many users find that Linux handles resources and scheduling better, leading to improved FPS lows. However, remember that driver quality can also decide performance, and it’s possible your Windows drivers might not be optimized for gaming.
Exactly, and there's also the chance that your Windows install is bloated or having conflicting software that could slow things down.
Linux typically has less bloatware and runs more efficiently. Windows, especially with background processes like Windows Defender, can feel sluggish, which might explain your low fps. In contrast, Linux usually prioritizes performance over extra features.
You mentioned it! Much of the bloat on Windows is from built-in features that can hog resources. Compare that to Linux's minimal setup, where you add what you need.
Also, if your Windows is cluttered with background apps, that can mess with your gaming performance as well.
The thread scheduling in Linux is generally more advanced, which helps with performance consistency. This means fewer stutters during gaming as Linux manages tasks better under load. Even things like disk I/O scheduling is more efficient in many cases, unless your Windows setup is optimized to the same level.
Absolutely! Running benchmarks shows that Linux often outperforms Windows in certain tasks due to the way tasks are scheduled and managed.
Right! And as the Linux kernel evolves, these improvements keep coming. With every update, performance gets even better.
Both OSes have their strengths. Some games run better on Windows, while others shine on Linux due to the Proton and other compatibility layers. So your experience might vary depending on the games you choose to play.
For sure! It's all about the optimization of each game on the respective platform. Some just aren’t made to run well on Windows.
At the end of the day, it might just be how these systems are set up. Clean installation, hardware compatibility, and system maintenance all play a part. Ensure your drivers are up to date on Windows and possibly compare a fresh install of both OSes to see how it shakes out!
Yes! Sometimes a clean slate shows differences you didn’t expect. It’s worth investigating.
If it’s Windows 11, I’ve read that some updates have affected performance too. It might be worth checking out those tweaks.
True that! It really doesn't come down just to OS overhead. The drivers you use on Windows can impact how your system performs in games, too.