Gaming on Linux runs through Steam. Valve ships Steam natively for Linux, runs Windows games on it through Proton (a compatibility layer built into Steam), and builds its own Linux-based system, SteamOS, for the Steam Deck. This guide covers what works, the one hard limit, and how to pick the parts and the operating system for a Linux gaming PC. Facts are as of October 2026, with sources at the end.
How Windows games run on Linux: Proton
Most PC games are written for Windows. Proton translates a game's Windows calls, including Direct3D graphics through Vulkan (an open, cross-platform graphics interface), so the game runs on Linux without a copy of Windows. Proton ships inside Steam: install a Windows game from your Steam library and Steam runs it through Proton.
Games from other stores work the same way through open-source launchers: Heroic for the Epic Games Store, GOG and Amazon, and Lutris for games from many other sources.
The one hard limit: anti-cheat
Some online multiplayer games use kernel-level anti-cheat (software that runs with deep system access to detect cheating), and some of their publishers block Linux outright. As of October 2026, the community-maintained list at areweanticheatyet.com shows Valorant and Fortnite as denied and recent Call of Duty titles, including Warzone and Black Ops 6, as broken. Older Call of Duty titles are listed as supported.
Check every game you must play there before you commit to Linux. The only workaround is a separate Windows installation (dual boot), which brings its own updates and upkeep.
Choosing the operating system
| System | Based on | Console-style Steam mode | NVIDIA graphics | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bazzite | Fedora Atomic (image-based) | Steam Gaming Mode | Drivers built in | Gaming Mode is optional; its docs recommend it for TV setups |
| SteamOS | Arch Linux | Steam Gaming Mode | Not supported | Valve supports it only on its own hardware and the Legion Go S |
| Ubuntu + Steam | Debian | Steam Big Picture | NVIDIA driver installable | A familiar general-purpose desktop |
| Nobara, CachyOS, Pop!_OS | Fedora, Arch, Ubuntu | Steam Big Picture | Varies | Desktops tuned for gaming or performance |
SteamOS on a desktop. Valve's FAQ says the only devices officially "Powered by SteamOS" are the Steam Deck, Steam Machine, Steam Frame and Lenovo Legion Go S. It lists desktop AMD graphics cards as beta, and NVIDIA graphics as unsupported. Valve's SteamOS page adds that users should not consider SteamOS a replacement for their desktop operating system. The current stable release is SteamOS 3.8.28 (September 25, 2026), with 3.9 in preview.
Bazzite fills that gap for desktops: it boots into a Steam Gaming Mode like SteamOS's, includes NVIDIA drivers, and keeps a full desktop behind it for everything else.
AMD or NVIDIA on Linux
Both work. AMD's graphics driver is open source and part of Linux itself, so Radeon cards work out of the box, and they are the only family SteamOS supports on a desktop. NVIDIA cards need NVIDIA's own driver, which gaming distributions such as Bazzite ship preinstalled. PCWorld reported in June 2026 that Valve is working with NVIDIA on SteamOS support, but that a first driver might not arrive before the end of 2026.
Hardware notes
- CPU: AMD's X3D processors carry 3D V-Cache (extra cache stacked on the chip), which AMD aims squarely at games.
- Storage: start at 2TB of NVMe (fast solid-state) storage. Large games fill a 1TB drive quickly.
- Wi-Fi: check that the motherboard's Wi-Fi chip has a Linux driver before you buy; vendors don't always name the chip.
- Controllers: Steam Input supports Xbox, PlayStation and many third-party controllers. Valve's own Steam Controller sells for $99 through a reservation queue on the Steam store (October 2026).
Playing on the TV
Two ways. Connect the PC to the TV and use Steam Big Picture mode (Steam's TV interface), or keep the PC at your desk and stream with Steam Remote Play to the Steam Link app, which Valve lists for Apple TV, Android TV and Amazon Fire TV. Valve says Steam Link is no longer available on Samsung TVs.
Checklist
- Check your games first. Look up every game you must play at areweanticheatyet.com. If one is listed as denied or broken on Linux, Linux is not the right fit for that game.
- Pick the graphics card. Choose AMD Radeon if you want SteamOS, since it is the only graphics family SteamOS supports on a desktop. For Bazzite or Ubuntu, AMD and NVIDIA both work.
- Pick the operating system. Bazzite for a console-style Steam Gaming Mode with a full desktop behind it, Ubuntu with Steam for a familiar desktop, or SteamOS on an AMD build if you accept that Valve does not support it on desktop PCs.
- Size the storage. Start with 2TB of NVMe storage. Large games fill a 1TB drive quickly.
- Plan the TV. Connect the PC to the TV and use Steam Big Picture mode, or keep it at your desk and stream to a Steam Link app on Apple TV, Android TV or Amazon Fire TV with Steam Remote Play.
FAQ
Can a Linux PC play Steam games?
Yes. Steam runs natively on Linux, and it runs Windows games through Proton, Valve's compatibility layer built into Steam. The main exceptions are online games whose anti-cheat blocks Linux.
Which games don't work on Linux?
As of October 2026, areweanticheatyet.com lists Valorant and Fortnite as denied on Linux and recent Call of Duty titles, including Warzone and Black Ops 6, as broken. The list changes, so check each game there.
Is SteamOS available for desktop PCs?
Valve supports SteamOS only on the Steam Deck, Steam Machine, Steam Frame and Lenovo Legion Go S. Valve lists desktop AMD graphics as beta and does not support NVIDIA graphics, and its SteamOS page says it is not a replacement for a desktop operating system.
Should I choose Bazzite or SteamOS?
Bazzite offers a Steam Gaming Mode like SteamOS's, includes NVIDIA drivers and keeps a full desktop, so it suits most desktop PCs. SteamOS is Valve's own system, supported only on Valve's hardware and the Legion Go S.
AMD or NVIDIA for Linux gaming?
Both work. AMD's graphics driver is open source and built into Linux, and AMD is the only option for SteamOS on a desktop. NVIDIA needs its own driver, which distributions such as Bazzite include.
Can I stream Linux games to my TV?
Yes. Steam Remote Play streams games to the Steam Link app, which Valve lists for Apple TV, Android TV and Amazon Fire TV. Valve says Steam Link is no longer available on Samsung TVs.
Sources
- Valve: SteamOS FAQ (supported devices, desktop GPU status)
- Valve: SteamOS
- Valve: SteamOS 3.8.28 release notes (September 25, 2026)
- Bazzite: installing on desktop hardware
- Are We Anti-Cheat Yet? (community anti-cheat status list)
- Valve: Steam Remote Play
- Valve: Steam Link on Samsung TVs
- Valve: Steam Controller
- PCWorld: Valve is working on NVIDIA support for SteamOS (June 22, 2026)
eRacks builds Linux gaming PCs to order. eRacks/GAMER ships with Bazzite and the Steam stack installed and tested, with Ubuntu and SteamOS in the menu.
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