Linux Gaming with Framework
One of the most common questions we see about Linux is, “Can I game on Linux?“ The answer today is simple: Yes, absolutely! It’s not just possible, for many gamers it’s preferred.
There was a time when the idea of gaming on Linux was a pipedream, but today, a large portion of Windows games run on Linux right out of the box. At the time of writing, Valve has verified more than 25,000 titles as Playable on Linux through Steam alone. Combine the Steam numbers with Lutris for retro games and Heroic Launcher for Epic Games Store and GOG, and the catalog of available games to play on Linux is staggering and continues to grow.
At Framework, we work directly with Linux distribution maintainers to ensure our hardware delivers a smooth, reliable experience for users running Linux as their primary operating system. That includes users who expect strong gaming performance.
The State of Linux Gaming
Back in 2013, the gaming scene for Linux was limited to say the least, but then Valve changed everything when they brought Steam to Linux. This took Linux gaming from a few select games to a few thousand games, and game developers took notice. Then in 2018, Valve did it again, in collaboration with CodeWeavers, when they introduced Proton. Proton combines Wine with DXVK and VKD3D to translate DirectX into Vulkan. This combination brings improved DirectX 12 support, better shader compilation behavior, smooth support for most controllers, and more.
Now, most major AAA and indie titles are playable on Linux with minimal or without any setup. Compatibility databases like ProtonDB, tools like Heroic Launcher, Faugus Launcher, Lutris, and open graphics drivers have made Linux a viable, and for many users, preferable, platform for gaming.
Driver maturity has been equally important. The Linux platform has seen drastic improvements for drivers of all kinds and even more so with AMD & Intel hardware in particular. AMD & Intel provide their drivers in an open way with their implementations developed upstream and integrated directly into the Linux kernel alongside the open source Mesa drivers. Improvements arrive through normal system updates rather than through separate proprietary installers. All of this means that many games perform comparably, or better, to Windows and performance improvements land continuously through upstream driver updates.
Choosing a Linux distro for gaming
There’s not a single best distro that will be the best choice for everyone. What you want out of your system might be different from someone else and the hardware you choose comes into play as well. When it comes to Framework products, you’ve got a lot of flexibility in how you want to approach Linux, and that really comes down to what kind of experience you’re looking for. So we’ve made a breakdown of our recommended hardware and distro combinations. If your primary goal is gaming on Linux, pairing the right hardware with the right distribution matters. Below are the combinations we see delivering the most consistent results on Framework systems.
Framework Desktop
Framework Desktop systems are configured with modern AMD GPUs so they pair especially well with Fedora Linux based distros like Bazzite and Fedora itself as well as Arch Linux based distributions like EndeavourOS and CachyOS.
Fedora Linux is a solid choice as it stays current with kernel and Mesa updates, which matters for modern GPUs and Vulkan performance, and it aligns well with upstream development. If you want something more gaming-focused out of the box yet based on Fedora then there’s Bazzite & Nobara. Bazzite layers a gamer centric experience with an immutable-like atomic structure on top of Fedora with thoughtful defaults for gaming and controller use. Bazzite also offer a console style SteamOS-like setup if you want something for the living room. Nobara, also Fedora-based, includes additional patches and tweaks aimed specifically at gaming and content creation, reducing the number of manual steps needed to get up and running.
If you prefer a rolling release model with tight control over your system then you can consider some distros based on Arch Linux. Arch Linux is an outstanding distro but may not be ideal for most users as they intend it to be used by advanced Linux users. EndeavourOS offers a clean ready to go Arch-based experience without too much abstraction. CachyOS pushes even further with performance-tuned kernels and packages for users who want to experiment with squeezing out every bit of performance.
If you prefer Ubuntu, we recommend Ubuntu 25.10 or newer on the Framework Desktop to ensure solid support for the latest hardware, along with updated kernel and firmware integration. Starting with 25.10, hardware enablement, driver compatibility, and overall stability are in much better shape for modern gaming workloads on this platform.
Framework Laptop 16
For Framework Laptop 16, the distro conversation looks very similar to Framework Desktop, with one important layer on top: mobile thermals, hybrid graphics behavior, and power management. The good news is that everything that runs well on the Desktop translates cleanly to Laptop 16, whether you’re using the AMD GPU Module or configuring a build with NVIDIA graphics.
This means Fedora Linux, Bazzite, CachyOS, EndeavourOS, and Nobara all run well on Framework Laptop 16. Whether you choose AMD or NVIDIA graphics, you can expect the same level of compatibility and flexibility across these distributions without needing a different playbook. We also recommend Ubuntu 25.10 or newer for the Framework Laptop 16 to ensure solid support for the latest AMD and NVIDIA graphics stacks.
Framework Laptop 12
Framework Laptop 12 is not designed to be a high performance gaming machine, but that does not mean you cannot game on it. In fact on Linux it is a really nice fit for a certain class of games like indie titles, 2D games, retro emulation, strategy games, older AAA releases, and many esports titles at reduced settings can run well, especially with modern Mesa drivers and Proton continuing to improve performance. The open source graphics stack on Linux tends to scale efficiently on integrated GPUs, and lightweight desktop environments can help keep overhead low.
Framework Laptop 12 runs the same modern Linux distributions that work well on Framework Desktop and Framework Laptop 16, including Fedora, Bazzite, CachyOS, EndeavourOS, Nobara, and Ubuntu 25.10 or newer. While the performance envelope is different due to its integrated graphics and lower power design, the underlying compatibility story is the same, and you can expect a smooth experience across those distros.
Framework Laptop 13
The Framework Laptop 13 spans across multiple processor generations and two very different graphics architectures. The short version is that all of them can game on Linux, but the ceiling is quite different depending on which edition you’re looking at.
Starting with 11th Gen Intel, this was our first generation and it is the most limited from a gaming perspective. Intel Xe graphics from that era can handle indie titles, emulation, lighter esports games, and older AAA titles at reduced settings. On modern Linux kernels and Mesa versions, the experience is actually better than it was at launch, but you are still working within a modest GPU envelope. It is capable, just not high performance.
With 12th and 13th Gen Intel, CPU performance jumps significantly, and the newer Intel Xe graphics are more refined. On Linux, especially with up-to-date Mesa, you can comfortably run a wide range of indie games, many popular competitive titles at medium settings, and some modern AAA games with resolution and quality adjustments. It is a solid “work all day, game at night” setup, but still integrated graphics.
The big shift happens with Framework Laptop 13 AMD Ryzen 7040 Series. The RDNA3 integrated graphics in this generation are genuinely strong. On Linux, where the AMD open source driver stack is mature and well integrated, you can play many modern AAA titles at 1080p with tuned settings, along with excellent performance in esports and indie games. For an integrated GPU, it punches well above what people typically expect. If your goal is serious gaming without stepping up to a dedicated GPU, this is the edition that makes the most sense.
Starting with Intel Core Ultra Series 1, this is a noticeable step forward over prior Intel generations in both efficiency and graphics capability. The integrated Arc graphics are significantly stronger than older Xe parts, and on modern Linux kernels with up to date Mesa, performance is very respectable for an iGPU. Indie titles, esports games, and a good number of modern AAA games at tuned settings are very playable. Driver support has matured quickly upstream, and staying current with kernel and Mesa versions makes a real difference here. It is not a replacement for a discrete GPU, but it is the first Intel-based Framework Laptop 13 where gaming feels like a first class secondary workload instead of an afterthought.
With AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series, you are looking at the most capable integrated graphics we’ve shipped in the 13 inch form factor. The RDNA 3.5 graphics architecture combined with continued improvements in the open AMD Linux driver stack makes this a strong option for 1080p gaming with sensible settings. On Linux, AMD’s upstream model really pays off. You benefit from rapid Mesa and kernel improvements without needing proprietary driver layers. For users who want a thin and light machine that can handle development, content creation, and legitimately modern gaming without stepping up to Laptop 16, this is the edition that gives you the most headroom.
Across all editions, Linux support is solid with current kernels and Mesa, and tools like Proton continue to improve compatibility. The main difference is not whether you can game, but how demanding the games can be and how much graphical headroom you want. If gaming is a primary workload, AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series is the clear leader. If gaming is secondary to development, school, or work, the Intel editions are absolutely capable within their limits.
When it comes to our distro recommendations, you can expect solid support on the same distributions we mentioned previously including Fedora, Bazzite, CachyOS, EndeavourOS, Nobara, and Ubuntu 24.04 or newer. For the AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series specifically, we recommend Ubuntu 25.10 or newer to ensure the latest kernel, Mesa, and firmware support needed to get the best experience out of the updated graphics architecture.
Tools and platforms that make gaming on Linux work
One of the biggest improvements in Linux gaming over the past few years has been the ecosystem around it. Steam with Proton makes it possible to run a large portion of Windows games directly inside Steam with minimal setup, and ProtonDB helps you quickly check how a specific title performs in the real world. For non-Steam libraries, tools like Lutris, Heroic Games Launcher, and Faugus Launcher make it straightforward to manage games from Epic, GOG, and other storefronts without manually configuring compatibility layers.
On the performance side, GameMode can automatically optimize system behavior while you’re playing, and MangoHUD provides a lightweight overlay for monitoring FPS and hardware utilization while you tune settings. On Framework systems running current kernels and Mesa versions, these tools work reliably without requiring proprietary driver management or operating system level workarounds, making the overall experience cohesive and dependable.
Practical setup recommendations
If you are configuring a Framework system for Linux gaming, start by choosing a distribution that aligns with both your hardware and your comfort level with updates. Newer GPUs benefit from more recent kernels and Mesa releases, so staying reasonably current has a direct impact on performance and compatibility. When it comes to gaming through Steam, for a long time you had to manually enable Steam Play but that has changed so now Steam Play is automatically enabled for you by default so in some cases you can just press the green Play button.
When launching newer titles, Proton Experimental can be helpful since it often carries fixes ahead of the main stable branch. It is also worth checking ProtonDB before purchasing a game to understand how it behaves on Linux and whether any specific launch options are recommended. A few minutes of preparation upfront usually translates into a much smoother experience once you hit play. A quick compatibility check and a habit of staying current with updates go a long way toward making gaming on Linux gaming smoother than you’d expect.
Looking ahead at the future of Linux gaming
The story of Linux gaming is not finished. With Proton continuing to improve compatibility and performance, and projects like SteamOS refining the console-like experience for the living room, the ecosystem is moving forward fast. I am especially excited about how open standards like Vulkan, Wayland, and open firmware initiatives are giving developers a more predictable stack to target.
When I am asked why I prefer Linux, I get excited and want to list every reason but ultimately, it comes down to the feeling of control you get when you know your system is truly yours. It's not just an operating system (or a kernel) but rather it's an experience that I enjoy using every day whether it’s for work or cookin’ in a few matches of Rocket League.
At Framework, we will keep listening to the community, keep building hardware that you can upgrade and explore, and keep working with distro teams to make sure gaming on Linux just feels good. There is work to do but the trajectory is clear. Linux gaming is not just viable, it is thriving and for many people, including myself, it is their favorite way to play.
If you are running a unique Linux gaming setup or have tips for Framework users who love Linux gaming, I would love to hear what you are running and what works for you.
