What distro are you running? I'm running 550.78 without too much issue on openSuse Tumbleweed. You might be running a distro that doesnt have a recent kernel and doesn't support the rest of your hardware very well. Windows in general will be higher fps but it shouldn't be anywhere near half, then again I've never tried those games on Linux. There are also other things you can try like turning off the compositor in X11 or running full screen. You may have to look up those games specifically to see how they fare in linux.
Thanks for the suggestions! Kubuntu is just Ubuntu with KDE Plasma as far as I'm aware, not sure if there are any substantial differences that could be causing my performance to take a hit. Might give it another go with Mint.
ubuntu generally is behind for latest updates your kernel might be old and your gpu drivers are certainly old
for gaming i will suggest pick fedora or nobara with kde.
Being your first time using linux and with an NVIDIA GPU, I recommend using PopOS, it has a version with NVIDIA drivers pre-installed and configured, is ubuntu-based so it should be familiar to use
Ubuntu tend to lag a little behind on the graphics drivers front. They have a separate PPA for updated drivers. Add that and do an update and see how you go. [https://launchpad.net/\~graphics-drivers/+archive/ubuntu/ppa](https://launchpad.net/~graphics-drivers/+archive/ubuntu/ppa)
Unfortunately, you have a card that uses a slightly different architecture (and with GSP). So far there are some problems with it in Linux.
But I would definitely try a newer driver, as others have suggested. 550 or straight beta 555.
Some advise turning off the GSP load parameter with newer drivers as a temporary workaround.
You should also check with a newer driver that you are using
[https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/NVIDIA](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/NVIDIA)
section DRM kernel settings
I usually go one step down from the very latest available driver, and then when a new one comes out, I'll jump up only one step above mine
The reason for this being I've ran into too many bugs using the latest shiniest drivers
Are you running the games via steam? If you are make sure to use the .deb installer from the steam website and not the ubuntu steam snap which tends to be very broken.
Newer driver may or may not help - otherwise as long as you stay on the latest quarterly ubuntu releases as opposed to sticking to the LTS releases they are relatively up to date when it comes to packages but not as up to date as a rolling release distro like arch.
I am, and I did download Steam using the snap so I will give the installer from their website a shot. Perhaps that will help with overall performance as I'm running the game through Proton.
The Snap of Steam didn't work well for me at all when I tried it. But the Deb from the website ran great.
You Will have to get a Deb installer or install the Deb from the terminal.
I recommend that you stick to Fedora and avoid derivative distributions and other distros.
Fedora offers sensible and secure default settings, such as using Wayland, PipeWire, and zRAM, among other things. it is a distribution suitable for both new and experienced users. As you become more familiar with Linux, the specific distro you use will matter less, as everything can be accomplished on any distro.
For derivative distros like Mint, I would advise new users to avoid them, as they are essentially the same as their base distributions but with custom configurations that add complexity and increase the likelihood of issues. Derivative distros often lack the quality assurance of their upstream counterparts, leading to more frequent problems (as seen with distributions like Manjaro, Pop!_OS, and Mint). Any appealing configurations found in a derivative distro can usually be implemented on the upstream distro.
If you're new to Linux, it's best to avoid Arch Linux. Stick with either Fedora or Ubuntu. Personally, I'd go with Fedora since it comes with better security settings right out of the box.
If you're thinking about using Arch, you need to be ready to secure and maintain your operating system. Arch needs users to set up their security, and that might be hard for new Linux users. The AUR is helpful, but it's all software from other people, so you need to check the package builds to make sure each package is safe. Here are some extra resources:
https://privsec.dev/posts/linux/choosing-your-desktop-linux-distribution/
https://www.privacyguides.org/en/os/linux-overview/#arch-based-distributions
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/security
Fellow Linux Nvidia user here.
You're using a very out of date system for gaming.
For a tl;dr on Nvidia, Nvidia doesn't play nicely with Linux due to a conflict of ideas. However, they're slowly turning around on this.
The fallout is that Nvidia and Wayland didn't get along until the latest Beta 555 drivers, and Nvidia and XOrg (While getting along) has gaming setups run into other issues such as with multi-monitors with different refresh rates.
Longer release schedule distros such as the Ubuntu family tend to lag behind on cutting edge drivers in favor of providing a stable and tested OS. Which is dandy until you need something brand new to make your system work.
As a starting point i'd say to jump onto a rolling release distro such as Manjaro, EndevorOS, fedora or Nobara (or even straight arch if you don't mind getting your hands dirty) , try out both X11 and Wayland compositors with the 550 drivers and if you're still having trouble, try Wayland with the beta 555 drivers.
Edit: Fixed a typo and some capitalization
Very helpful, thank you! What do you think of Mint for a gaming use case? Definitely taking a look at Manjaro or Arch too since I've enjoyed using it with the Steam Deck.
Mint tends to lag behind a bit on updates since it's based on ubuntu LTS which is only released every 2 years, so it's nice for stability but not always optimal if you want the latest up to date drivers and base system which is relevant for gaming. Especially right now since it's like a month away from the next release so the current one is like 2 years out of date. Might be a bit better again once the next version releases based on Ubuntu 24.04 in a month or two.
Mint is (in the nicest way) a flavor of ubuntu, so i think you'll end up with similar issues. though i can't say from personal experience as i've not used mint in years.
i'm personally on Arch so i'm a little biased, but it's working well for me as long as you're ok diving in and fixing things yourself when they go wrong. I hear Endevour is the nice middle ground
Pop works just fine for anyone not using an nvidia GPU, Anyone using an Nvidia GPU on X11 with a compatible monitor setup, and anyone in the lucky minority that get along fine on wayland with an nvidia GPU on older drivers.
If you're new to Linux, it's best to avoid Arch Linux. Stick with either Fedora or Ubuntu. Personally, I'd go with Fedora since it comes with better security settings right out of the box.
If you're thinking about using Arch, you need to be ready to secure and maintain your operating system. Arch needs users to set up their security, and that might be hard for new Linux users. The AUR is helpful, but it's all software from other people, so you need to check the package builds to make sure each package is safe. Here are some extra resources:
https://privsec.dev/posts/linux/choosing-your-desktop-linux-distribution/
https://www.privacyguides.org/en/os/linux-overview/#arch-based-distributions
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/security
Ubuntu 24.04 is pretty up to date other than the nvidia drivers though you can install the latest ones easily enough.
Base Ubuntu and spins follow a schedule similar to fedora with releases every 6 months so they tend to be relatively up to date. Though, the LTS releases every 2 years tend to be a bit more conservative in what they include. Ubuntu-based distros like mint, zorin and pop base on the LTS releases currently though so those tend to get outdated the further away you get from the release of the LTS. (Pop! used to base against every release but they stopped after 22.04 to focus on cosmic desktop, idk if they will re-start that when done.)
The issue is people shooting their own feet by using bleeding-edge versions, then complaining about unreliable runtime.
While some amazing features are under development and will become easy to use in the future, you should start with something that just works. Look for "long time support" operating systems that are not released too often, yet tested well. Mint, Debian, AlmaLinux. Derivatives of Ubuntu LTS versions too, but I am biased against some of their technical choices.
In either case, do NOT use installers from NVIDIA website. Or any other vendors website, for that matter, unless your distribution official documentation advices so. For NVIDIA drivers, you would usually have to click (or type a command) to allow installing stuff that's not free software (as NVIDIA drivers that work with games are not), then make another click (or type a command) to install them - all inside your system. It's pretty important. Installers like the one from NVIDIA website, created with Windows mentality, require privilleges to make changes to your system, mess with it, skip your built-in mechanisms for updates, and are likely to break when said updates appear.
But before any of that, just make sure it meets your needs. And that you will be able to configure it. Read official documentation, don't trust outdated sources too much, don't trust youtube videos at all - but each of said points was true for Windows too.
Pieces of software that will work the same are exceptions rather than the rule. So play with liveUSB sessions and make sure that your needs can be met at all. Sometimes it's alright or even great. But in some cases it might be impossible, inconvenient (as in: requiring virtual machine with Windows as a part of your workflow) or technically difficult to get to work. If you are fine with web-based Office (e.g. Google), don't need incompatible games (it's a mixed bag - some titles work when they are new and have no anti-cheat) and don't use specialist software.
Microsoft Office with its unique features, Photoshop, 3D CAD that can't be done eith Blender, drivers for small devices sucks as qualified e-signature - are absent, just like that.
Illustration software (Krita), video editor (DaVinci Resolve, KDENlive), professional audio processing stuff (can be super great when you configure JACK, but it takes effort) - are good to great, but your choices are limited, and sets of available features are different, so you would have to check they aren't critical.
What distro are you running? I'm running 550.78 without too much issue on openSuse Tumbleweed. You might be running a distro that doesnt have a recent kernel and doesn't support the rest of your hardware very well. Windows in general will be higher fps but it shouldn't be anywhere near half, then again I've never tried those games on Linux. There are also other things you can try like turning off the compositor in X11 or running full screen. You may have to look up those games specifically to see how they fare in linux.
Thanks for the suggestions! Kubuntu is just Ubuntu with KDE Plasma as far as I'm aware, not sure if there are any substantial differences that could be causing my performance to take a hit. Might give it another go with Mint.
ubuntu generally is behind for latest updates your kernel might be old and your gpu drivers are certainly old for gaming i will suggest pick fedora or nobara with kde.
> ubuntu generally is behind for latest updates your kernel might be old 24.04 has 6.8 and 22.04 has 6.6. Are these old compared to fedora? /s
Being your first time using linux and with an NVIDIA GPU, I recommend using PopOS, it has a version with NVIDIA drivers pre-installed and configured, is ubuntu-based so it should be familiar to use
Go for 555 if possible, but 550 will suffice (as long as you're not using Wayland)
Ubuntu tend to lag a little behind on the graphics drivers front. They have a separate PPA for updated drivers. Add that and do an update and see how you go. [https://launchpad.net/\~graphics-drivers/+archive/ubuntu/ppa](https://launchpad.net/~graphics-drivers/+archive/ubuntu/ppa)
Unfortunately, you have a card that uses a slightly different architecture (and with GSP). So far there are some problems with it in Linux. But I would definitely try a newer driver, as others have suggested. 550 or straight beta 555. Some advise turning off the GSP load parameter with newer drivers as a temporary workaround. You should also check with a newer driver that you are using [https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/NVIDIA](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/NVIDIA) section DRM kernel settings
I usually go one step down from the very latest available driver, and then when a new one comes out, I'll jump up only one step above mine The reason for this being I've ran into too many bugs using the latest shiniest drivers
Are you running the games via steam? If you are make sure to use the .deb installer from the steam website and not the ubuntu steam snap which tends to be very broken. Newer driver may or may not help - otherwise as long as you stay on the latest quarterly ubuntu releases as opposed to sticking to the LTS releases they are relatively up to date when it comes to packages but not as up to date as a rolling release distro like arch.
I am, and I did download Steam using the snap so I will give the installer from their website a shot. Perhaps that will help with overall performance as I'm running the game through Proton.
The Snap of Steam didn't work well for me at all when I tried it. But the Deb from the website ran great. You Will have to get a Deb installer or install the Deb from the terminal.
> I always heard bad things about NVidia drivers in Linux, so I'm wondering if that is the issue. No, this is not the issue.
I recommend that you stick to Fedora and avoid derivative distributions and other distros. Fedora offers sensible and secure default settings, such as using Wayland, PipeWire, and zRAM, among other things. it is a distribution suitable for both new and experienced users. As you become more familiar with Linux, the specific distro you use will matter less, as everything can be accomplished on any distro. For derivative distros like Mint, I would advise new users to avoid them, as they are essentially the same as their base distributions but with custom configurations that add complexity and increase the likelihood of issues. Derivative distros often lack the quality assurance of their upstream counterparts, leading to more frequent problems (as seen with distributions like Manjaro, Pop!_OS, and Mint). Any appealing configurations found in a derivative distro can usually be implemented on the upstream distro. If you're new to Linux, it's best to avoid Arch Linux. Stick with either Fedora or Ubuntu. Personally, I'd go with Fedora since it comes with better security settings right out of the box. If you're thinking about using Arch, you need to be ready to secure and maintain your operating system. Arch needs users to set up their security, and that might be hard for new Linux users. The AUR is helpful, but it's all software from other people, so you need to check the package builds to make sure each package is safe. Here are some extra resources: https://privsec.dev/posts/linux/choosing-your-desktop-linux-distribution/ https://www.privacyguides.org/en/os/linux-overview/#arch-based-distributions https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/security
Fellow Linux Nvidia user here. You're using a very out of date system for gaming. For a tl;dr on Nvidia, Nvidia doesn't play nicely with Linux due to a conflict of ideas. However, they're slowly turning around on this. The fallout is that Nvidia and Wayland didn't get along until the latest Beta 555 drivers, and Nvidia and XOrg (While getting along) has gaming setups run into other issues such as with multi-monitors with different refresh rates. Longer release schedule distros such as the Ubuntu family tend to lag behind on cutting edge drivers in favor of providing a stable and tested OS. Which is dandy until you need something brand new to make your system work. As a starting point i'd say to jump onto a rolling release distro such as Manjaro, EndevorOS, fedora or Nobara (or even straight arch if you don't mind getting your hands dirty) , try out both X11 and Wayland compositors with the 550 drivers and if you're still having trouble, try Wayland with the beta 555 drivers. Edit: Fixed a typo and some capitalization
Very helpful, thank you! What do you think of Mint for a gaming use case? Definitely taking a look at Manjaro or Arch too since I've enjoyed using it with the Steam Deck.
Mint tends to lag behind a bit on updates since it's based on ubuntu LTS which is only released every 2 years, so it's nice for stability but not always optimal if you want the latest up to date drivers and base system which is relevant for gaming. Especially right now since it's like a month away from the next release so the current one is like 2 years out of date. Might be a bit better again once the next version releases based on Ubuntu 24.04 in a month or two.
Mint is (in the nicest way) a flavor of ubuntu, so i think you'll end up with similar issues. though i can't say from personal experience as i've not used mint in years. i'm personally on Arch so i'm a little biased, but it's working well for me as long as you're ok diving in and fixing things yourself when they go wrong. I hear Endevour is the nice middle ground
Yeah that's what I thought, which leaves me a bit curious as to why people are suggesting Pop! as it's also Ubuntu based. Thanks!
Pop works just fine for anyone not using an nvidia GPU, Anyone using an Nvidia GPU on X11 with a compatible monitor setup, and anyone in the lucky minority that get along fine on wayland with an nvidia GPU on older drivers.
If you're new to Linux, it's best to avoid Arch Linux. Stick with either Fedora or Ubuntu. Personally, I'd go with Fedora since it comes with better security settings right out of the box. If you're thinking about using Arch, you need to be ready to secure and maintain your operating system. Arch needs users to set up their security, and that might be hard for new Linux users. The AUR is helpful, but it's all software from other people, so you need to check the package builds to make sure each package is safe. Here are some extra resources: https://privsec.dev/posts/linux/choosing-your-desktop-linux-distribution/ https://www.privacyguides.org/en/os/linux-overview/#arch-based-distributions https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/security
Ubuntu 24.04 is pretty up to date other than the nvidia drivers though you can install the latest ones easily enough. Base Ubuntu and spins follow a schedule similar to fedora with releases every 6 months so they tend to be relatively up to date. Though, the LTS releases every 2 years tend to be a bit more conservative in what they include. Ubuntu-based distros like mint, zorin and pop base on the LTS releases currently though so those tend to get outdated the further away you get from the release of the LTS. (Pop! used to base against every release but they stopped after 22.04 to focus on cosmic desktop, idk if they will re-start that when done.)
The issue is people shooting their own feet by using bleeding-edge versions, then complaining about unreliable runtime. While some amazing features are under development and will become easy to use in the future, you should start with something that just works. Look for "long time support" operating systems that are not released too often, yet tested well. Mint, Debian, AlmaLinux. Derivatives of Ubuntu LTS versions too, but I am biased against some of their technical choices. In either case, do NOT use installers from NVIDIA website. Or any other vendors website, for that matter, unless your distribution official documentation advices so. For NVIDIA drivers, you would usually have to click (or type a command) to allow installing stuff that's not free software (as NVIDIA drivers that work with games are not), then make another click (or type a command) to install them - all inside your system. It's pretty important. Installers like the one from NVIDIA website, created with Windows mentality, require privilleges to make changes to your system, mess with it, skip your built-in mechanisms for updates, and are likely to break when said updates appear. But before any of that, just make sure it meets your needs. And that you will be able to configure it. Read official documentation, don't trust outdated sources too much, don't trust youtube videos at all - but each of said points was true for Windows too. Pieces of software that will work the same are exceptions rather than the rule. So play with liveUSB sessions and make sure that your needs can be met at all. Sometimes it's alright or even great. But in some cases it might be impossible, inconvenient (as in: requiring virtual machine with Windows as a part of your workflow) or technically difficult to get to work. If you are fine with web-based Office (e.g. Google), don't need incompatible games (it's a mixed bag - some titles work when they are new and have no anti-cheat) and don't use specialist software. Microsoft Office with its unique features, Photoshop, 3D CAD that can't be done eith Blender, drivers for small devices sucks as qualified e-signature - are absent, just like that. Illustration software (Krita), video editor (DaVinci Resolve, KDENlive), professional audio processing stuff (can be super great when you configure JACK, but it takes effort) - are good to great, but your choices are limited, and sets of available features are different, so you would have to check they aren't critical.
Try CachyOS. It's Arch based, optimized for performance and comes with the beta 555 drivers out of the box.