 |
| All-AMD desktop gaming PC featuring Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Radeon RX 7900 XTX, used for SteamOS and Windows 11 gaming tests. |
The battle for PC gaming supremacy isn’t just between graphics cards anymore. As Linux-based operating systems like Valve's SteamOS become more polished and game-friendly, a growing number of gamers are considering them as a legitimate alternative to Windows 11. But when it comes to raw performance at demanding settings like 4K Ultra, which operating system comes out on top? A fascinating new real-world test provides some surprising answers.
This curiosity isn't happening in a vacuum. Last year marked a milestone, with the Linux desktop reportedly reaching a 5% share of the U.S. market, driven partly by gamers seeking alternatives. The progress of gamer-focused distros like SteamOS, Bazzite, and Nobara has been remarkable, transforming Linux from a niche tinkerer's platform into a viable gaming hub. One of our own editors recently wrote about successfully ditching Windows 11 for Linux, praising the experience. To put these claims to the ultimate test, popular tech YouTuber ETA Prime built a powerful, all-AMD gaming rig and dual-booted it with both Windows 11 Pro and the official SteamOS for a head-to-head, game-by-game showdown.
 |
| All-AMD desktop gaming PC running Cyberpunk 2077 on a 4K monitor. |
The Test Bench: A SteamOS-Compatible Powerhouse
Before diving into the frames-per-second, the hardware itself is key. ETA Prime built this system with explicit SteamOS compatibility in mind, ensuring all components worked "out of the box" to avoid driver issues skewing the results.
The core specs are impressive:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (8 cores/16 threads) - currently $469 on Amazon
- GPU: AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX (24 GB VRAM) - currently around $889 on Amazon
- RAM: 32 GB DDR5 @ 7,000 MT/s (dual-channel)
- Motherboard: ASRock B850 Challenger
- Storage: Two separate 1 TB NVMe SSDs (one for each OS)
- PSU: 850 W 80+ Gold
You can find more details on the specific components used in the build via this link. The testing was done on the stable channel of SteamOS 3.7.17, with system-level tuning handled in the BIOS for consistency.
4K Gaming Showdown: A Game-by-Game Verdict
The YouTuber tested a wide range of titles at 4K resolution with maxed-out settings. The results clearly show that performance is highly title-dependent, with no single OS claiming a universal crown.
Here are some of the key highlights from the comparison:
- Cyberpunk 2077 (4K Ultra, No FSR): In a near dead-heat, SteamOS averaged 85 FPS, just one frame ahead of Windows 11's 84 FPS.
- Forza Horizon 5 (4K Extreme, No FSR): This title showed one of the largest gaps in favor of Windows 11, which hit 191 FPS compared to SteamOS's 157 FPS. ETA Prime notes the game's deep integration with Microsoft's ecosystem likely plays a role here.
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (4K Very High, FSR Quality): Here, the tables turned, with SteamOS taking a slight lead at 111 FPS versus Windows 11's 103 FPS.
- Borderlands 4 (4K Ultra, FSR Quality): A small but consistent advantage for Windows 11 at 74 FPS over SteamOS's 69 FPS.
- Red Dead Redemption 2 (4K Ultra, No FSR): Windows 11 again led, averaging 96 FPS against SteamOS's 88 FPS.
Other titles like The Witcher 3, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Left 4 Dead 2 were also tested. For the complete breakdown and visual performance data, be sure to watch the full video analysis from ETA Prime embedded below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EowBHUQdCJQ
 |
| SteamOS vs Windows 11 Pro FPS comparison in Spider-Man 2 and Borderlands 4 at 4K. |
 |
| SteamOS vs Windows 11 Pro FPS comparison in Spider-Man 2 and Borderlands 4 at 4K. |
 |
| SteamOS vs Windows 11 Pro FPS comparison in Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 5 at 4K on an all-AMD system. |
The Verdict: Flexibility is the Real Winner
So, who wins the Windows 11 vs. SteamOS gaming face-off? According to the data, the most accurate answer is: "It depends on your game library."
There is no consistent, across-the-board winner. Some games, often those with native Linux/Proton support or developed with cross-platform in mind, run exceptionally well—sometimes even better—on SteamOS. Others, particularly those closely tied to Microsoft technologies like DirectX, may perform better on Windows 11.
This is precisely why ETA Prime concludes that the dual-boot setup is such a compelling option for enthusiasts. It offers the ultimate flexibility: boot into SteamOS for titles where it excels or for a lean, gaming-focused console-like experience, and switch over to Windows 11 for those games that need it or for accessing the full breadth of the Windows ecosystem and software.
For gamers, the real takeaway is empowering. The performance gap has narrowed dramatically, making Linux gaming a truly practical reality. Whether you choose one OS or hedge your bets with both, you're no longer sacrificing significant performance for your preference. The future of PC gaming is becoming more open, and that’s a win for everyone.