The Best Linux Distros for Gaming

howtogeek.com:

Long gone are the days when Windows was the only option for PC gamers. With options like Wine and Proton, or even running native titles, Linux users can join the fun. But which distro is the best for gaming?

Just like in virtually every use case, Linux distros for gamers are varied and cater to different needs. Below, we have listed some of the best Linux distros to play your favorite games, from old-school emulators to current AAA titles.

Is Linux Good for Gaming?

That's a simple answer: yes, a lot! Linux systems are widely regarded as less resource-intensive than Windows, leaving more of your computer's power to be used by the games you'll play. And, because Linux gaming distros are very customizable, there's a chance you'll get a system fine-tuned out of the box.

Which Games Run on Linux?

Simply put, almost every game that runs on Windows. If a title isn't made natively for Linux, there's a good chance you can run it using Proton, an app that "translates" the game between the original Windows version and one that runs on Linux. ProtonDB is a collaborative repository that helps you find out how the experience is for a specific game on Linux.

The Best Linux Gaming Distros

Which distro is the best for you varies depending on whether you want to run current-gen games, 16-bit emulators, or anything in between. There are always two questions to consider: how lightweight a distro is and how well does it handle hardware like graphics cards.

Best Linux Distros for Hardcore Gamers: Garuda and Kubuntu

Garuda takes the "Linux for gaming" moniker seriously. Not only does it have a kernel optimized for high-performance hardware, but this distro even offers (among other things) to install gaming-oriented apps, like Steam and OpenRGB, during its initial setup.

Kubuntu uses a different approach. It's not focused on gaming, but it uses KDE, a highly customizable and performant desktop environment, atop Ubuntu, the most popular Linux distro. This combination means you'll have