When it comes to gaming on Linux, players are spoiled for choice. From Ubuntu-based distros like Pop!_OS to gaming-focused options like Nobara or Bazzite, every community claims their distribution delivers the smoothest experience. But in 2025, one Arch-based project has been making waves in the Linux community: CachyOS.
CachyOS is marketed as a performance-tuned, beginner-friendly distribution that doesn’t require you to spend hours setting up drivers or tweaking Wine. Instead, it comes pre-optimized for gaming, offering strong hardware support out of the box and a welcoming interface for both newcomers and veterans.
In this article, we’ll break down what CachyOS is, how to set it up, the built-in gaming features, GPU driver support, Steam performance tests, and how it compares to other Linux distros. By the end, you’ll know if CachyOS is worth making your daily driver for gaming.
📑 Table of Contents
- 1. What is CachyOS?
- 2. Initial Setup and Installation
- 3. First Boot and Welcome Screen
- 4. Installing Apps Without Terminal Commands
- 5. Essential Gaming Packages
- 6. Kernel Manager and Updates
- 7. GPU Drivers Out of the Box
- 8. Playing Games with Lutris
- 9. Setting Up Steam on CachyOS
- 10. Gaming Performance Tests
- 11. Comparison With Other Distros
- 12. Final Thoughts
- 13. FAQs
1. What is CachyOS?
Before diving into performance numbers, it’s important to understand what makes CachyOS unique.
CachyOS is an Arch-based Linux distribution that focuses heavily on:
- Gaming optimization
- Desktop performance tuning
- Out-of-the-box hardware support
- A simplified setup process
Unlike Arch Linux itself—where users install everything manually—CachyOS offers a polished installer, preloaded drivers, and even dedicated optimizations for handheld gaming devices such as the Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally. In essence, it transforms these handhelds into a Steam Deck alternative powered by Linux.
2. Initial Setup and Installation
Setting up CachyOS doesn’t feel like traditional Arch installs where you spend hours partitioning drives manually. Instead, CachyOS uses the Calamares installer, which is graphical and beginner-friendly.
Many users install CachyOS in a dual-boot setup with Windows 11, so they can enjoy Linux gaming without fully giving up Windows titles. The installer allows you to shrink partitions and set up dual booting without much hassle.
Once installation completes, CachyOS boots directly into a ready-to-use desktop with essential tools already available.
3. First Boot and Welcome Screen
When you log in for the first time, you’re greeted by the CachyOS Welcome Screen.
This is more than a splash screen—it’s your central hub for configuring the distro. Instead of opening the terminal and memorizing commands, you can:
- Install apps with a single click
- Access recommended settings
- Update the system
- Apply tweaks for gaming
This approach makes CachyOS feel approachable for beginners while still giving advanced users access to Arch’s massive repositories.
4. Installing Apps Without Terminal Commands
Let’s say you need a web browser, office suite, or mail client. With CachyOS, you don’t need to open the terminal at all.
Through the Welcome Screen, you can pick from curated app categories provided by the Cachy team. For example:
- Chromium as a browser
- PDF management tools
- Office suites for productivity
- Email clients
After selecting your apps, clicking Update System installs everything in just a few minutes. It’s as straightforward as app stores on Windows or macOS, making Linux setup less intimidating.
5. Essential Gaming Packages
Of course, no Linux gaming distro is complete without proper gaming tools. CachyOS includes a Gaming Packages section in its welcome setup.
This 1 GB package set includes:
- Steam (both native and runtime versions)
- Heroic Game Launcher (for Epic Games and GOG titles)
- Lutris (for managing games from multiple sources)
- Wine/Proton dependencies
It’s highly recommended to install these before you start gaming. This ensures compatibility across Windows and Linux titles right away.
6. Kernel Manager and Updates
One standout feature is the Kernel Manager. Unlike other distros that lock you into one kernel, CachyOS lets you choose between:
- The stable kernel (default, great for most users)
- LTS (Long-Term Support) kernel for stability
- Cutting-edge kernels for advanced users testing the latest hardware
This flexibility matters for gamers because some GPUs or performance tweaks require newer kernels, while professionals may prefer long-term stability.
7. GPU Drivers Out of the Box
This is where CachyOS truly shines. Many Linux beginners struggle with GPU drivers, especially NVIDIA users. But with CachyOS:
- The installer automatically detects your GPU.
- Correct drivers (AMD, Intel, or NVIDIA) are installed automatically.
- No manual driver hunting required.
This “plug-and-play” approach means you can literally start playing games immediately after installation.
For example, if you’re on NVIDIA, you can confirm your drivers with:
nvidia-smi
This ensures the system recognizes your GPU correctly.
8. Playing Games with Lutris
Now let’s talk about game launchers. Lutris comes preinstalled with CachyOS gaming packages.
For those unfamiliar, Lutris is an open-source game manager that allows you to:
- Play native Linux games
- Run Windows games via Wine/Proton
- Manage emulators
- Launch Steam games
- Add locally installed games
This all-in-one system makes it easy to centralize your gaming collection.
9. Setting Up Steam on CachyOS
Steam is at the heart of Linux gaming, and CachyOS makes it effortless.
You’ll find two versions installed:
- Steam Native → Better system integration and performance.
- Steam Runtime → Better compatibility for certain titles.
Once you launch Steam:
- Log into your account.
- Enable Proton under Steam Play settings.
- Start installing your favorite games.
Proton ensures that many Windows-only games run seamlessly on Linux.
10. Gaming Performance Tests
Now let’s get to the exciting part—performance. Tests on mid-range hardware such as an RTX 3050 gaming laptop delivered excellent results.
- Asphalt Legends
- Smooth gameplay at ~100 FPS
- Vulkan shaders compiled quickly
- No stuttering issues
- Forza Horizon 4
- High settings achieved ~70 FPS
- Buttery-smooth experience
- GTA V
- First launch required Vulkan shader compilation
- Stable 60 FPS afterwards
- Gameplay felt identical to Windows
The takeaway? CachyOS handles demanding Windows games impressively well. Proton support is mature enough that the difference between Windows and Linux is almost negligible.
11. Comparison With Other Distros
How does CachyOS stack up against competitors?
- Ubuntu: Beginner-friendly but weaker gaming performance.
- Nobara: Built for gaming, but more Fedora-centric than Arch.
- Bazzite: Excellent handheld support, but slightly behind CachyOS in raw FPS.
In performance tests, CachyOS delivered 10–20% higher FPS compared to Ubuntu, Nobara, and even Bazzite. This makes it arguably the fastest Linux distro for gaming in 2025. But still you can compare them all at Linux Gaming Showdown: CachyOS vs. Nobara vs. Bazzite for Native PC Games or just Nobara Nobara Linux 12: The Best Fedora-Based Linux Distro for Gamers and Creators or Bazzite The Ultimate Guide to Installing Bazzite Linux: The Next-Gen Linux Gaming OS for Any PC or Laptop
12. Final Thoughts
CachyOS proves that Linux gaming no longer requires endless tweaking. With its out-of-the-box GPU drivers, gaming packages, Steam integration, and performance optimizations, it feels like a distribution built with gamers in mind.
If you’re tired of fighting with drivers or losing FPS compared to Windows, CachyOS might be the distro that finally makes you switch.
Not just this we have many more articles about linux
13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is CachyOS beginner-friendly?
Yes. The Welcome Screen and preinstalled drivers make it easy, even for users new to Linux.
Q2. Can CachyOS run on handhelds like ROG Ally or Legion Go?
Yes. CachyOS is optimized for handheld gaming devices and offers strong support.
Q3. Do I need to install GPU drivers manually?
No. Drivers are handled automatically during installation.
Q4. How does it compare with SteamOS?
CachyOS offers similar gaming performance with more flexibility since it’s Arch-based.
Q5. Is dual booting with Windows recommended?
Yes. For games with anti-cheat issues on Linux, keeping Windows as a backup is a smart choice.
Disclaimer
Linux performance may vary depending on hardware. While CachyOS optimizes drivers and kernels, certain anti-cheat systems and Windows-exclusive DRM may prevent some games from running. Always back up your data before attempting a dual-boot installation.
Tags
linux gaming, cachyos, linux distro for gaming, arch linux gaming, steam proton, lutris gaming, best linux distro 2025
Hashtags
#Linux #Gaming #CachyOS #ArchLinux #Steam #OpenSource
