Recent benchmark results suggest that Linux gaming performance is improving, with an Arch-based distribution, CachyOS, outperforming Windows 11 in several modern titles.
The tests, conducted by NJ Tech, compared performance across more than 10 major games using identical hardware. The system included an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, Radeon RX 6700 XT, 16GB DDR4 memory, a 2TB NVMe SSD, a Corsair RM1000x power supply, and a Gigabyte X570 Aorus Elite motherboard.
Windows 11 used AMD Adrenalin 26.3.1 drivers, while CachyOS ran on Mesa 26.0.3.
Linux Leads in Several Titles
Initial results showed a consistent performance advantage for CachyOS. In Crimson Desert, the Linux setup averaged 63 FPS compared to 59 FPS on Windows.
The difference increased in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, where Windows reached 68 FPS while CachyOS delivered 81 FPS. Linux also showed stronger 1% low results in both games, indicating fewer performance dips.
Gains Continue in Demanding Games
The trend continued in other resource-intensive titles. Red Dead Redemption 2 at 1080p Max settings averaged 85 FPS on CachyOS, compared to 81 FPS on Windows.
In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p Ultra without upscaling, CachyOS reached 98 FPS, while Windows recorded 91 FPS.
Overall, Linux often delivered around 3 to 10 percent higher frame rates across multiple tests.
Mixed Results in Some Cases
Not all games favored Linux. The First Descendant performed better on Windows, achieving 63 FPS compared to 54 FPS on CachyOS.
In The Division 2, both platforms delivered identical average frame rates of 128 FPS. However, Windows maintained slightly more stable lows at 97 FPS, compared to 93 FPS on Linux.
Proton Plays a Key Role
All tested games were run on Linux using Proton, which allows Windows games to operate on Linux systems.
The results highlight how Proton has evolved from a workaround into a more capable solution for running modern titles, even those without native Linux support.
Changing Landscape for Linux Gaming
Linux gaming has historically lagged behind Windows, often limited to open-source titles. However, ongoing improvements in Proton and community-driven distributions such as CachyOS have reduced performance differences.
While Windows continues to benefit from broader developer support, the benchmark results suggest that the performance gap is narrowing, and in some cases, Linux can match or exceed Windows in gaming workloads.
