Gaming on Linux has changed a lot in recent years. What was once seen as impossible is now a real option for many players. Thanks to tools like Steam’s Proton and better graphics card support, you can now play thousands of Windows games on your Linux computer without any trouble.
But even with these improvements, your games might not always run as smoothly as you’d like. The good news is that you can make your gaming experience much better with some simple tricks. This guide will show you easy ways to speed up your games and make them run more smoothly on Linux.
Understanding Linux Gaming Today
Before we jump into the tips, let’s talk about how Linux gaming actually works. When you play games on Linux, you’re using special tools that help Windows games run on your system. The most important tool is called Proton, which was created by Valve (the company behind Steam).
Proton acts like a translator between Windows and Linux. It takes the instructions that Windows games send and changes them into something Linux can understand. This means you can play many popular games that were only made for Windows.
According to ProtonDB, a website where gamers share their experiences, over 15,000 games now work well on Linux. That’s a huge number compared to just a few years ago when only a small group of games had Linux versions.
Keep Your System Updated
The first and easiest trick is to keep your Linux system up to date. Updates include fixes for problems and improvements that can help your games run better. Many updates also include better support for graphics cards and other gaming hardware.
To update your system, open your terminal and type the update command for your Linux version. For Ubuntu or similar systems, this takes just a minute or two. Make sure you do this regularly, perhaps once a week or when you see update notifications.
Updates also include the latest version of your graphics drivers. These drivers are like instruction manuals that tell your graphics card how to work with your computer. Newer drivers often make games run faster and fix visual problems.
Install the Right Graphics Drivers
Your graphics card is the most important part of your computer for gaming. If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, you’ll want to install the official NVIDIA drivers. For AMD cards, both the open-source drivers that come with Linux and AMD’s official drivers work well.
Most Linux systems have a tool that makes installing drivers easy. On Ubuntu, you can find it by searching for “Additional Drivers” in your applications menu. This tool will show you which drivers are available and recommend the best one for your card.
After installing new drivers, restart your computer. You should notice better performance right away, especially in newer games with detailed graphics.
Use GameMode for Better Performance
GameMode is a special program that makes your computer focus all its power on your game. When you turn on GameMode, it tells your computer’s processor to run at full speed and stops unnecessary background tasks from using up resources.
Installing GameMode is simple, and once it’s set up, you can use it with any game on Steam. It automatically detects when you’re playing a game and applies the best settings for gaming. Many gamers report seeing their frame rates go up by 10-15% just by using GameMode.
The best part about GameMode is that it’s automatic. You don’t need to remember to turn it on or off. It works in the background and only activates when you start a game.
Change Your CPU Settings
Your computer’s processor (CPU) has different modes for saving power or running at full speed. For gaming, you want it running at full speed all the time. You can change this setting using a tool called cpufrequtils.
After installing this tool, you can set your CPU to “performance” mode. This tells your processor to always run at its highest speed, which helps games run more smoothly. The difference is especially noticeable in games that need a lot of processing power.
Keep in mind that performance mode uses more electricity and creates more heat. If you’re using a laptop, your battery will drain faster. But for desktop computers or when you’re plugged into power, this setting really helps.
Adjust Your Swappiness Value
Swappiness is a setting that controls how your computer uses its memory. A lower swappiness value means your computer will use more of its fast RAM memory instead of writing data to your slower hard drive. This makes everything run faster, including games.
For gaming, experts recommend setting swappiness to 10 or lower. This is a simple change that can reduce loading times and prevent stuttering during gameplay. The difference is most noticeable on computers with less RAM or slower hard drives.
You only need to change this setting once, and it will stay that way even after you restart your computer.
Choose a Lighter Desktop Environment
Your desktop environment is the part of Linux that shows your windows, menus, and icons. Some desktop environments use a lot of computer power, which leaves less for your games. Switching to a lighter desktop can free up resources.
Popular light desktop environments include XFCE and LXQt. These use much less memory and processor power than heavier options like GNOME. After switching, you might see your games run 5-10 frames per second faster.
The trade-off is that lighter desktops might not look as fancy or have as many visual effects. But for serious gaming, the performance boost is worth it.
Use Proton for Better Compatibility
If you’re playing Windows games on Steam, make sure you have Proton enabled. In your Steam settings, look for “Steam Play” and turn on the option to use Proton for all games. This gives you access to thousands of games that wouldn’t normally work on Linux.
Different versions of Proton work better for different games. If a game doesn’t run well with the default version, try switching to Proton Experimental or an older version. Many gamers find that newer versions of Proton make their games run better than they did on Windows.
ProtonDB is a helpful website where you can check how well specific games work with Proton. Other gamers share their settings and tips, which can save you hours of troubleshooting.
Close Unnecessary Programs
This might seem obvious, but it really helps. Before starting a game, close programs you’re not using. Web browsers, especially with many tabs open, use a lot of memory. Music players, chat programs, and file downloaders all take away resources from your game.
You can use your system monitor to see which programs are using the most memory and processor power. Close the ones you don’t need, and you’ll immediately have more resources for gaming.
Some programs run in the background even when you can’t see them. Check your system tray and close anything that’s not essential for your gaming session.
Install a Gaming-Optimized Kernel
Your Linux kernel is the core part of your operating system. Some special gaming kernels are designed to make games run better. Popular options include Liquorix and XanMod, which are built specifically for gaming and other performance tasks.
These kernels include tweaks that reduce delays and make your system respond faster to game inputs. The installation process is straightforward, and many gamers report noticeable improvements in smoothness and responsiveness.
After installing a gaming kernel, test it with your favorite games. If you don’t notice a difference or if it causes problems, you can always switch back to your regular kernel.
Monitor Your Temperatures
If your computer gets too hot, it will automatically slow down to cool off. This is called thermal throttling, and it can make your games suddenly run slower. Make sure your computer has good airflow and that fans aren’t blocked by dust or objects.
You can use programs like lm-sensors to check your temperatures while gaming. If your CPU or graphics card is running very hot, you might need to clean your computer or improve its cooling. Desktop computers are easier to cool than laptops, but both benefit from regular cleaning.
Keeping your system cool not only prevents slowdowns but also makes your hardware last longer.
Conclusion
Making your Linux games run faster doesn’t have to be complicated. These simple tricks can add up to make a big difference in your gaming experience. Start with the easiest ones like keeping your system updated and using GameMode, then try the more advanced tweaks if you want even better performance.
Remember that not every trick will work perfectly for every computer or game. It’s worth trying different combinations to find what works best for your setup. The Linux gaming community is friendly and helpful, so don’t hesitate to ask for advice on forums or websites like ProtonDB.
With these tips, you can enjoy smooth, fast gaming on Linux without needing to be a technical expert. Happy gaming!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will these tricks work on any Linux system? Most of these tricks work on popular Linux systems like Ubuntu, Fedora, and Pop!_OS. Some commands might be slightly different depending on your Linux version, but the basic ideas are the same.
2. Can I really play Windows games on Linux? Yes! Thanks to Proton and Steam Play, you can play thousands of Windows games on Linux. Over 15,000 games have been tested and work well. Check ProtonDB to see if your favorite games are supported.
3. Will these changes harm my computer? No, these tips are safe for your computer. The worst that can happen is a setting doesn’t work well, and you can always change it back. Just avoid the power-saving tricks if you’re worried about battery life on a laptop.
4. How much faster will my games run? This depends on your computer and the game. Most people see improvements of 10-20% in frame rates. Some tricks like GameMode show immediate results, while others make smaller improvements that add up.
5. Do I need to know how to code or use the terminal? Not for most of these tricks. Many can be done through regular menus and settings. A few require copying simple commands into the terminal, but you don’t need to understand coding to do this.
6. What’s the best Linux system for gaming? Ubuntu, Pop!_OS, and Fedora are all great choices for gaming. Pop!_OS is especially popular because it comes with gaming drivers already installed. The Steam Deck uses SteamOS, which is also built for gaming.
7. Why are some online games not working on Linux? Some online games use anti-cheat software that doesn’t work with Linux. Games like Valorant and some versions of Apex Legends won’t run because of this. However, many developers are now making their anti-cheat software work with Linux.
