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Mattscreative edited this page Dec 5, 2025 · 2 revisions

Linux Gaming Configuration Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to gaming on Linux, covering Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions including Steam, Wine/Proton, gaming performance optimizations, and game-specific configurations.

Table of Contents

  1. Why Linux for Gaming?
  2. Graphics Driver Setup
  3. Steam Installation
  4. Wine and Proton Setup
  5. Performance Optimizations
  6. CachyOS Gaming Benefits
  7. Gaming Applications
  8. Game Controllers
  9. Troubleshooting

Why Linux for Gaming?

Linux Gaming Today

Linux gaming has improved significantly:

  • Steam Proton: Run Windows games on Linux
  • Native games: Growing library of native Linux games
  • Performance: Often better than Windows
  • Customization: Optimize for your hardware

CachyOS Gaming Benefits

CachyOS provides excellent gaming performance:

  1. BORE Scheduler: Lower input lag, better responsiveness
  2. Optimized Packages: Faster application startup
  3. Custom Kernel: Better performance optimizations
  4. Low Latency: Optimized for real-time applications

Gaming advantages:

  • Lower input lag: BORE scheduler prioritizes interactive tasks
  • Better frame times: More consistent performance
  • Faster loading: Optimized packages load quicker
  • Better multitasking: System stays responsive while gaming

Graphics Driver Setup

NVIDIA Setup

Arch/CachyOS:

# Use chwd on CachyOS (recommended)
sudo chwd -h -a nvidia

# Or manually
sudo pacman -S nvidia nvidia-utils nvidia-settings

# For 32-bit support (needed for Steam)
sudo pacman -S lib32-nvidia-utils

NVIDIA optimizations:

# Enable performance mode
sudo nvidia-smi -pm 1

# Set power limit (if needed)
sudo nvidia-smi -pl 200  # Adjust wattage as needed

AMD Setup

Arch/CachyOS:

# AMD open-source drivers
sudo pacman -S mesa vulkan-radeon lib32-mesa lib32-vulkan-radeon

# For newer AMD GPUs
sudo pacman -S mesa vulkan-radeon xf86-video-amdgpu

Intel Setup

Arch/CachyOS:

# Intel integrated graphics
sudo pacman -S mesa vulkan-intel lib32-mesa lib32-vulkan-intel

Steam Installation

Install Steam

Arch/CachyOS:

# Install Steam
sudo pacman -S steam steam-native-runtime

# For 32-bit support
sudo pacman -S lib32-mesa lib32-nvidia-utils

Debian/Ubuntu:

sudo apt install steam

Fedora:

sudo dnf install steam

Steam Runtime

Choose runtime:

  • steam: Uses Steam runtime
  • steam-native-runtime: Uses system libraries (often better performance)

Launch Steam

Start Steam:

# Launch Steam
steam

# Or from application menu

Wine and Proton Setup

Install Wine

Arch/CachyOS:

# Install Wine
sudo pacman -S wine wine-mono wine-gecko

# For 32-bit
sudo pacman -S lib32-mesa lib32-vulkan-icd-loader

Configure Wine:

# Initialize Wine prefix
winecfg

# Install dependencies
winetricks

Install Proton

Proton comes with Steam:

  • Proton: Steam's Wine fork for running Windows games
  • Proton-GE: Community version with additional fixes

Install Proton-GE:

# Download from GitHub releases
# Place in: ~/.steam/steam/compatibilitytools.d/
# Or use ProtonUp-Qt
yay -S protonup-qt

Lutris

Install Lutris:

# Install Lutris
sudo pacman -S lutris

# Install Wine dependencies
sudo pacman -S wine-staging winetricks

Performance Optimizations

GameMode

Install GameMode:

# Install GameMode
sudo pacman -S gamemode lib32-gamemode

# Enable for game
gamemoderun game-command

Steam launch options:

gamemoderun %command%

Fsync/Esync

Enable Fsync:

# Install fsync
sudo pacman -S lib32-libgl lib32-libx11

# Enable in Wine
WINEFSYNC=1 wine game.exe

Kernel Parameters

Gaming optimizations:

# Edit GRUB
sudo vim /etc/default/grub

Add:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="... mitigations=off"

Regenerate:

sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

sysctl Tweaks

Performance tweaks:

# Edit sysctl
sudo vim /etc/sysctl.d/99-gaming.conf

Add:

# Gaming optimizations
vm.swappiness=10
vm.vfs_cache_pressure=50

CachyOS Gaming Benefits

BORE Scheduler

CachyOS uses BORE scheduler which provides:

  • Lower input lag: Prioritizes interactive tasks
  • Better responsiveness: Games feel more responsive
  • Consistent frame times: Smoother gameplay

No configuration needed - works automatically on CachyOS.

Optimized Packages

CachyOS packages are optimized:

  • LTO: Link-time optimization
  • PGO: Profile-guided optimization
  • BOLT: Binary optimization

Result: Faster game loading and better performance.

Custom Kernel

CachyOS custom kernel includes:

  • Gaming optimizations: Tuned for performance
  • Lower latency: Better for real-time applications
  • Performance patches: Additional optimizations

Gaming Applications

Steam

Steam features:

  • Native Linux games
  • Proton for Windows games
  • Steam Play compatibility
  • Steam Input for controllers

Lutris

Lutris features:

  • Install games from various sources
  • Manage Wine prefixes
  • Configure game settings
  • Community install scripts

Heroic Games Launcher

Install Heroic:

# Install Heroic
yay -S heroic-games-launcher

Features:

  • Epic Games Store support
  • GOG support
  • Wine/Proton management

Game Controllers

Steam Input

Steam Input supports:

  • Xbox controllers
  • PlayStation controllers
  • Generic controllers
  • Custom configurations

Controller Setup

Connect controller:

# Check if detected
lsusb | grep -i controller

# Test controller
jstest /dev/input/js0

Troubleshooting

Game Not Launching

Check logs:

# Steam logs
cat ~/.steam/steam/logs/stderr.txt

# Wine logs
WINEDEBUG=+all wine game.exe

Performance Issues

Check GPU:

# NVIDIA
nvidia-smi

# AMD/Intel
glxinfo | grep "OpenGL renderer"

Proton Issues

Update Proton:

# In Steam: Settings > Steam Play
# Enable Steam Play for all titles
# Select latest Proton version

Summary

This guide covered gaming configuration for Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions, including Steam, Wine/Proton, performance optimizations, and CachyOS-specific gaming benefits.

Next Steps

This guide covers Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other Linux distributions. CachyOS-specific gaming benefits are highlighted where applicable.

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