Is GPU Passthrough a Good Idea for Playing Games on Linux?

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I’m about to build a new gaming PC and am a big fan of Linux. The issue I run into is that many online games with anti-cheat systems just don’t work on Linux. I’d love to play games like Wuthering Waves or League of Legends without having to dual boot into Windows all the time. I’m looking into GPU passthrough for a gaming VM, but I’m not sure if it’s worth the effort. I’m considering an R9 5900x CPU, 32GB of RAM, and a combination of graphics cards (like an RX 6700 or 7600 with an RX580). However, I’ve heard there could be significant issues with gaming VMs, including anti-cheat detection, speed problems, and setup difficulties. As a newbie to Linux, I’d like to know if sticking to Windows is a safer bet or if I have a chance with a gaming VM setup.

Is GPU Passthrough a Good Idea for Playing Games on Linux
Wuthering Waves

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3 Answers

TechNinja42 -

Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend GPU passthrough if you’re serious about competitive gaming. Many anti-cheat systems seem to be cracking down on VM usage, and running into a ban could really ruin your gaming experience. It might be safer just to stick with Windows for those kinds of games.

LinuxWarrior88 -

Yeah, I’ve seen those horror stories too. Just the thought of losing my account over a setup like that gives me anxiety!

LinuxGamerPro -

It’s true that many games with kernel-level anti-cheat won’t work with GPU passthrough in a VM. If you’re just focusing on those larger titles, you might be better off finding other games that are Linux-friendly. Otherwise, you could also look into cloud gaming services like Geforce Now as an alternative to avoid all these hassles.

GamingGuru47 -

I’ve heard good things about cloud gaming! Definitely a solid option if you want to bypass those annoying limitations.

GamerDude91 -

If you’re really into competitive gaming and want a pain-free experience, Windows is the way to go. You could dual boot with Linux for experimentation, but honestly, it sounds like GPU passthrough might cause more headaches than it’s worth for the games you want to play.

NoobMaster99 -

That’s what I was thinking! Setting it all up sounds like a major time sink if it’s just going to lead to frustration.

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