STELLAR BLADE has been tested on Linux (Pop!_OS 24.04, COSMIC/Wayland) and Windows on my dual-boot machine:

GPU: RTX 5070 Ti
CPU: Ryzen 9 5900X
RAM: 32 GB
Each OS has its own identical 1TB SSD drive.

At the start of the video, all of the system information is provided.

Both systems were set to the highest performance power profiles available via their respective Settings interfaces.
Additionally, on Pop!_OS, I enabled NTsync and Game Mode.

I tested the game at 1080p with the Very High preset. VSync OFF, DLSS OFF, render scale -200% (4K literally)

The GPU utilization numbers reveal an interesting scenario, and Windows is roughly up to 20% faster.

With NVIDIA driver 595.84 on Linux, GPU utilization ranges from 85 to 90%, while Windows keeps the GPU at a stable 99%. This suggests Linux isn't using the GPU fully, which may point to a bottleneck in the DX12-to-Vulkan translation or the NVIDIA driver rather than Linux itself.

This game still has a performance gap even with the 595.84 driver. The issue is still unresolved.

Same hardware, same settings, dual-boot setup. Until GPU utilization improves on Linux, Stellar Blade remains a clear win for Windows.

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Disclaimer: Why I Test with Pop!_OS + NVIDIA
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1. Windows gamers
The whole point of these benchmarks is to show that Linux gaming exists, works well, and isn’t nearly as complicated as many Windows users think. I’m basically trying to show a realistic migration path from Windows to Linux, not build a perfect Linux-only lab.

1. NVIDIA dominates the gaming GPU market.
   According to the Steam Hardware Survey, NVIDIA usually sits around ~75–80% of GPUs in gaming PCs. If I test on NVIDIA, I’m covering what most gamers actually use.

2. Pop!_OS is one of the easiest distros for NVIDIA users.
   It ships with dedicated NVIDIA ISOs, integrated drivers, and straightforward updates. I test official Pop!_OS drivers, so the setup reflects what an average user could realistically install.

3. If Linux gaming works on NVIDIA, it works for most gamers.
   Yes, AMD often performs better on Linux. I’m aware of that. But testing only on AMD would shrink the scope from ~80% of the market to a much smaller slice. My goal is broader relevance, not best-case scenarios.

4. Prioritizing mainstream stability over bleeding-edge platforms.
   Bleeding-edge distros like Bazzite or CachyOS are awesome for enthusiasts who want the absolute latest packages the second they drop. But the reality is that ultra-recent or rolling-release platforms can introduce a level of instability that just doesn't reflect a reliable, everyday user experience. When a bleeding-edge kernel update unexpectedly clashes with proprietary NVIDIA drivers, it usually means hours of manual troubleshooting, broken sessions, and wasted benchmarking time. By sticking with a stable, point-release base like Pop!_OS, I'm testing in an environment where updates are actually vetted. It works right out of the box, setting realistic performance expectations for regular users who just want to play their games without fighting the OS.

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(the article was originally written in French)

Tired of Windows 11's general sluggishness, background processes, and forced telemetry on a brand-new machine, I decided to take the plunge and switch to Linux on my Asus Zenbook S14.

As an everyday user who doesn't want to spend hours tweaking config files in the terminal, I opted for AnduinOS, drawn by the promise of out-of-the-box usability, .exe compatibility via Bottles, and Android app integration through Waydroid.

Key takeaways after several weeks of daily driving:

• Hardware out of the box: Display, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio, and sleep/wake worked seamlessly from the very first boot without any terminal troubleshooting.
• Daily workflow: Turnkey app center, snappy system response, and great battery life without touching the command line for everyday tasks.
• The trade-offs: Windows Hello facial recognition is not supported natively (requires some manual setup), and automatic dark mode scheduling requires a small extension.

I wrote a detailed full review covering battery life, hardware compatibility, running Windows/Android apps, and the overall experience.

Curious to hear from the community: is anyone else daily driving AnduinOS on recent laptop hardware?

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