If you’ve ever wondered which operating system gives you the best performance for running emulators — Windows 11 or a Linux-based distro like Bazzite — you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll dive deep into performance testing, beginner usability, pros and cons, and hands-on comparisons of emulators like RPCS3, Ryujinx, Eden, Citron, and ShadPS4.
Whether you’re a Windows user considering Linux for the first time or a Linux gamer looking for more insight into emulator support, this guide is for you.
🔍 What Is Bazzite?
Bazzite is a Linux-based operating system built on the same framework as the Steam Deck’s SteamOS. It’s designed with gaming in mind and features native support for Steam, Proton, Flatpak, and tools like Lutris and MangoHud. For gamers who want to escape the bloat of Windows and still enjoy native and emulated titles, Bazzite offers a compelling package.
Official Website: https://bazzite.org
😩 What I Didn’t Like About Bazzite
Let’s start with the frustrations first — because for beginners (like myself), the initial transition from Windows to Bazzite can be a bit painful.
1. Drive Mounting Issues
Every time I booted Bazzite, I had to manually remount my internal and external drives. Each mount generated a different ID, which meant I had to reconfigure game paths in Steam and all my emulators every single time.
NTFS and ExFAT partitions are the main culprits here. Linux doesn’t handle them as smoothly as Windows.
2. MangoHud Setup Is Clunky
MangoHud is a performance overlay tool (similar to MSI Afterburner + RivaTuner on Windows). But the process to get it working is not user-friendly:
- You either launch it manually via command line,
- Or create a special shortcut.
In many cases, MangoHud caused apps to crash. The only fix that worked reliably? Add your games to Lutris, which lets you toggle MangoHud on/off per game easily.
3. Steam Games on NTFS Drives Didn’t Launch
Steam recognized my NTFS drive, downloaded updates, and even validated game files — but the games wouldn’t launch. The solution was to move them to a Linux-native partition (like ext4 or btrfs), especially if you’re using Proton.
👍 What I Loved About Bazzite
Now let’s balance the scale — here are the features that genuinely impressed me:
1. Built-in App Store
No need to scour GitHub or run terminal commands. Most tools and emulators are available directly via Flatpak or the app store UI.
2. Peripheral Compatibility
Every piece of hardware I plugged in — from Wi-Fi dongles to Xbox and DualShock controllers — just worked. No extra drivers or tools needed.
3. Pre-installed GPU Drivers
Bazzite comes pre-configured with GPU drivers, saving you the typical Linux headache of having to install them manually.
4. Steam Integration
You can log in, launch games, and manage Proton installs right from the UI. It feels as polished as Windows in this aspect.
🎮 Emulator Performance Benchmark
Let’s jump into the juicy part — performance benchmarks of various emulators on both Windows 11 and Bazzite.
✨ Note:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen with AM5 platform
- GPU: High-end Nvidia card
- RAM: 32 GB
- Drives: NTFS (Windows), ext4 (Bazzite)
- Monitoring Tools: MangoHud (Linux), RTSS + Task Manager (Windows)
1️⃣ RPCS3 — PS3 Emulator
Test Games: God of War III, Gran Turismo 5, Gran Turismo 6
- Performance: Both Windows and Bazzite hit consistent 60 FPS in most games.
- Shader Compilation: Bazzite was slightly faster and smoother.
- MangoHud Issue: Sometimes failed to show frame drops that were noticeable during gameplay.
✅ Winner: Draw, with slight edge to Bazzite for shader performance.
2️⃣ Ryujinx — Nintendo Switch Emulator
Test Games: Bayonetta 3, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
On Bazzite:
- FPS was much lower (36%–80% drop vs. Windows).
- MangoHud crashed Ryujinx.
- Required manual Flatpak installation (easy but needs steps).
❌ Avoid Ryujinx on Bazzite if you’re serious about Switch emulation. It runs best on Windows.
✅ Winner: Windows 11 — hands down.
3️⃣ Eden Emulator (Switch)
Only Eden was tested due to storage limitations, but its performance was excellent.
Test Games: Bayonetta 3, Zelda: BOTW, Zelda: TOTK
- Bayonetta 3: 131 FPS on Bazzite vs. 80 FPS on Windows.
- Zelda BOTW: 120 FPS on Bazzite vs. 80 FPS on Windows.
- Zelda TOTK: Over 100 FPS on Bazzite vs. 60 FPS on Windows.
- Shader Compilation: Practically instant on Bazzite.
✅ Winner: Bazzite, by a huge margin.
4️⃣ ShadPS4 — PS4 Emulator
- Game Tested: Bloodborne
- MangoHud didn’t work, but gameplay was very stable.
- Random artifacts in some games like DriveClub (likely emulator issue, not OS).
✅ Winner: Draw, but stable performance on both.
🧠 Final Thoughts: Is Bazzite Worth It?
✅ Choose Bazzite If:
- You want a clean, bloat-free system dedicated to gaming.
- You’re comfortable experimenting with new tools like Lutris and Flatpak.
- You want maximum performance from emulators like Eden and RPCS3.
❌ Stick to Windows If:
- You rely on Ryujinx for Switch emulation.
- You’re using NTFS drives and don’t want to reformat or create new Linux partitions.
- You want plug-and-play ease without learning Linux basics.
🧰 Tips for First-Time Linux Emulator Users
Before we wrap up, here are a few golden tips to help you get started:
- Use Lutris: It handles Proton, MangoHud, and even Flatpak integration effortlessly.
- Avoid NTFS for Game Installations: Use native Linux partitions (ext4/btrfs).
- Don’t Transfer Shader Caches: They may break your games on Linux.
- Backup Saves and Mods: Easily transferable between Windows and Bazzite.
- Try Heroic Launcher: Alternative to Lutris, works well for Epic/GoG titles.
Look into this also … How to Install Bazzite Linux: The Ultimate SteamOS-Like Gaming Distro for Any PC or Laptop
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I dual boot Windows and Bazzite?
A: Yes, but make sure you separate the drive partitions carefully and avoid writing Windows games on Linux volumes.
Q: Do I need to know Linux commands?
A: Not necessarily. Bazzite has a friendly UI, app store, and most essential apps pre-installed.
Q: Is it better than SteamOS?
A: For emulation, yes — Bazzite offers more flexibility and emulator access than the locked-down SteamOS.
🛡️ Disclaimer
Emulators are legal, but downloading copyrighted games you do not own is not. Ensure you own the original game copies or legally dump your ROMs from personal hardware. We do not promote piracy.
🏷️ Tags:
emulator performance, windows 11 vs linux, bazzite os, rpcs3, ryujinx, eden emulator, ps3 emulator, switch emulator, linux for gaming, best os for emulators
#Hashtags:
#EmulatorGaming #LinuxGaming #Windows11 #Bazzite #RPCS3 #Ryujinx #EdenEmulator #PS3Emulation #SwitchEmulator #GamingBenchmarks
If you’d like a follow-up blog comparing CachyOS, Nobara, or native PC games on Bazzite, feel free to request it. Until then — game on!
