Introduction

Linux gaming in 2025 has matured from a hobby niche into a practical, competitive platform for many players. With Proton, Vulkan, DXVK, and improving vendor support, modern distributions aimed at gamers try to make the experience simple and reliable. Two widely used approaches are:

• Pop!_OS — a polished, minimal, performance-oriented desktop that includes a dedicated NVIDIA ISO and strong hardware integration.
• Ubuntu GamePack — an Ubuntu spin focused on preinstalled game tools, emulators, and Windows compatibility layers for zero-setup gaming.

This article is a long-form, practical comparison for gamers, content creators, and users evaluating which distro suits their needs in 2025.

The evolution of gaming on Linux

To understand the present, a brief recap of how we arrived here is useful:

1. Early years: Wine provided partial Windows compatibility but required manual tinkering.
2. Steam Play & Proton: Valve integrated Wine, DXVK, VKD3D and many patches into Proton, which automated running thousands of Windows games.
3. Vulkan adoption: Vulkan gave a modern, cross-platform API that made DirectX → Vulkan translation feasible and performant.
4. Driver maturity: NVIDIA’s proprietary driver and AMD’s Radeon drivers improved substantially on Linux, supporting features like Vulkan ray tracing and modern GPU power management.
5. Gaming-focused distros: Distributions such as Pop!_OS and Ubuntu GamePack emerged to simplify the user experience for gamers.

Distro overview

Pop!_OS (System76)

Pop!_OS is a general-purpose distro with a strong emphasis on hardware support, performance and productivity. Key points:

• Debian/Ubuntu base
• Official NVIDIA ISO (proprietary driver preinstalled)
• COSMIC desktop environment (tiling-friendly, responsive)
• Lean defaults — minimal bloat
• Good for hybrid GPU laptops (NVIDIA + Intel)

Ubuntu GamePack (UALinux)

Ubuntu GamePack is built to provide a ready-made gaming environment with many game compatibility tools preinstalled. Key points:

• Ubuntu base with additional gaming packages
• Preinstalled Steam, Lutris, Wine, PlayOnLinux, Winetricks, RetroArch, DOSBox etc.
• Convenience-first: less setup for retro and Windows games
• Includes additional background services and customizations

Who is each distro for?

Pop!_OS: best for

• Users who want a fast, modern desktop with minimal setup
• Gamers focused on native and Proton-based Steam titles
• Owners of modern NVIDIA GPUs who want proprietary driver support out of the box
• Laptop users needing GPU switching

Ubuntu GamePack: best for

• Users who want everything preinstalled and configured for gaming
• Players that rely heavily on Wine/Lutris and retro emulators
• Beginners migrating from Windows who need minimal command-line interaction

Installation and first boot

Pop!_OS installation

Pop!_OS provides separate ISOs for NVIDIA and Intel/AMD. The NVIDIA ISO includes the proprietary driver and is recommended for RTX/NVIDIA users to avoid post-install driver steps.

Typical steps:

1. Download the correct ISO from the Pop!_OS website (NVIDIA or AMD/Intel).
2. Create a bootable USB using a tool such as balenaEtcher or Rufus.
3. Install using the Pop!_OS installer — it sets up encrypted home and default partitions if desired.
4. First boot: proprietary drivers are active (NVIDIA ISO) and you can install Steam directly from the Pop!_Shop or via apt.

Ubuntu GamePack installation

Ubuntu GamePack uses the standard Ubiquity installer (Ubuntu). It ships with multiple gaming tools preinstalled so the first boot already provides a wide set of emulators and compatibility layers.

Typical steps:

1. Download ISO and write to USB.
2. Install via the standard Ubuntu installer with typical steps (region, keyboard, user account).
3. After boot, check the preinstalled gaming menu and run Steam or Lutris right away.

Notes about partitioning and encryption

Both distros offer the usual options for partitioning; Pop!_OS strongly encourages encrypted home for security. If you dual-boot with Windows, take extra precautions with EFI and bootloader setup.

Driver and hardware support

NVIDIA driver experience

Pop!_OS: NVIDIA ISO ships with the recommended proprietary driver, reducing friction. Pop!_OS also integrates GPU switching utilities for laptops with hybrid GPUs.

Ubuntu GamePack: Relies on Ubuntu’s driver repos. You can install the proprietary driver via Additional Drivers or apt. It works well but requires an initial step on some machines.

AMD and Intel

Both distros use the open-source AMD/Intel drivers (Mesa) for Radeon and Intel GPUs. Performance is generally comparable.

Vulkan and library support

Both distros include Vulkan libraries (or make them available in repos). For 32-bit compatibility (Steam games), ensure the 32-bit Vulkan ICD is installed:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install libvulkan1 libvulkan1:i386 vulkan-utils

When to choose Pop!_OS NVIDIA ISO

If you have an NVIDIA GPU (especially RTX series), the Pop!_OS NVIDIA ISO saves time and avoids driver conflicts.

Steam, Proton & gaming subsystems

Proton basics

Proton integrates Wine with DXVK and VKD3D to run Windows games on Linux. Proton versions matter: Proton Experimental and Proton GE (community builds) often fix specific DX12/RTX/X features.

Pop!_OS approach

Pop!_OS expects users to install Steam through Pop!_Shop or apt; it does not preinstall Proton tools. The benefit is a clean system and the ability to pick the Proton version you want per-game.

Ubuntu GamePack approach

Ubuntu GamePack includes Steam and other compatibility layers preinstalled so users can run many titles immediately. This is convenient but can lead to multiple versions of Wine/Proton components being present.

Proton tuning tips

1. Use Proton Experimental for newest fixes.
2. Install Proton GE from GloriousEggroll for extra compatibility.
3. Set per-game Proton version in Steam → Properties → Compatibility.
4. Enable Steam shader caching to reduce stutter during shader compile.

Performance & benchmarks

Performance varies by hardware, driver, kernel, and Proton configuration. Below are practical guidelines and an example benchmarking methodology.

Benchmarking methodology

1. Choose in-game benchmark or reproducible scene.
2. Use the same driver, kernel, and Proton version for all comparisons.
3. Record average FPS, 1% low, and frame times using tools such as MangoHUD, CapFrameX, or in-game metrics.
4. Test at multiple resolutions and DLSS/FSR presets if available.

Real-world observations (summary)

• Pop!_OS tends to produce slightly higher average FPS in modern AAA Proton titles due to lean defaults and fewer background services.
• Ubuntu GamePack performs similarly on systems with matched drivers; it may show marginally higher memory usage due to preinstalled services.
• On hybrid GPUs, Pop!_OS’s switching tools give a smoother experience on laptops.

Sample benchmark table (illustrative)

Note: The numbers above are illustrative; run your own tests for precise comparisons with your hardware.

Wine, Lutris & Windows games

Ubuntu GamePack (preinstalled)

Ubuntu GamePack’s advantage is that Wine, PlayOnLinux, Lutris, and winetricks are preinstalled and configured. For users who rely on non-Steam Windows games or older compatibility layers, this reduces setup time.

Pop!_OS (manual install)

Pop!_OS requires users to install Wine/Lutris if needed. This approach keeps the base image clean and avoids package conflicts until the user explicitly requests them.

Lutris usage tips

1. Use Lutris to manage non-Steam installers and per-game runners.
2. Prefer bundled runners only when a verified runner exists for the title.
3. Use winetricks for installing specific DLLs and Windows components.

Retro gaming & emulation

Ubuntu GamePack bundles RetroArch, DOSBox, ScummVM and common console cores for plug-and-play retro gaming. Pop!_OS supports these tools but requires the user to install them manually.

Performance & compatibility

Emulation performance is driven more by the emulator and underlying CPU than by distro choice. Both distros run emulators equally well, but Ubuntu GamePack offers the convenience of pre-configured cores and front-ends.

Desktop environment & user experience

Pop!_OS COSMIC

Pop!_OS uses COSMIC (a GNOME fork/tuning) focused on productivity. Features include easy tiling, workspaces, keyboard-driven workflows and low-latency animations. It is lightweight compared to stock GNOME with many gaming-friendly defaults.

Ubuntu GamePack UI

Ubuntu GamePack typically uses stock GNOME or a close variant. It includes extra launchers and a gaming hub of shortcuts. The environment is familiar to users coming from standard Ubuntu.

System resource usage

Memory and CPU

Out of the box:

• Pop!_OS: lean, lower RAM usage, fewer background daemons.
• Ubuntu GamePack: higher RAM usage due to preinstalled services and daemons for emulation and Windows compatibility.

Startup services

Check systemd units on both systems to identify services you may disable for gaming sessions:

systemctl list-unit-files --type=service --state=enabled

Disable unnecessary services carefully and test for regressions.

Advanced tuning & tips

Kernel & scheduler

Consider a gaming-tuned kernel or low-latency kernel for competitive gaming. Tools such as cpupower and gamemode can help:

sudo apt install gamemode
# Example Steam launch option:
gamemoderun %command%

NVIDIA specific optimizations

1. Use the latest NVIDIA driver that is stable with your GPU.
2. Enable G-SYNC/Variable refresh (via nvidia-settings).
3. Set PowerMizer or performance mode in nvidia-settings.

Proton & DX12 tips

• Switch Proton versions per-game for best compatibility.
• Use Proton GE if you hit issues with official Proton.
• Install vkd3d-proton updates for DX12 titles when available.

Filesystem & swap

Use an SSD/NVMe if possible. For low-RAM situations, enable zram or a fast swap file:

sudo fallocate -l 8G /swapfile
sudo chmod 600 /swapfile
sudo mkswap /swapfile
sudo swapon /swapfile

Security, updates & maintenance

Update cadence

Both distros track Ubuntu’s base; Pop!_OS integrates System76 packages and tested updates. Ubuntu GamePack may ship additional gaming packages that track upstream or UALinux updates.

Backups & rollbacks

Use Timeshift or rsync-based backups. Consider taking a snapshot before major driver upgrades.

Anti-cheat & multiplayer considerations

Some anti-cheat systems (EAC, BattlEye) historically blocked Proton; many have improved support but always check ProtonDB and vendor announcements before attempting competitive multiplayer.

Side-by-side comparison

Which to choose: recommendations

Choose Pop!_OS if:

• You have an NVIDIA GPU and want minimal setup and better out-of-the-box performance.
• You prefer a clean, fast desktop and want to install only the tools you need.
• You use a laptop with hybrid GPU and value a stable GPU switching solution.

Choose Ubuntu GamePack if:

• You want a ready-made gaming distro with Wine, emulators and compatibility tools preinstalled.
• You primarily play non-Steam or older Windows titles that require Wine/Lutris.
• You prefer a user-friendly, plug-and-play experience and don’t mind extra background services.

FAQ

Is Pop!_OS better for RTX gaming?

Pop!_OS’s NVIDIA ISO simplifies driver setup and can result in slightly better FPS or smoother experience due to lower system overhead. For RTX features, Pop!_OS is generally the safer choice.

Will Ubuntu GamePack run every Windows game out of the box?

No. Ubuntu GamePack includes many compatibility tools that make launching many Windows titles easier, but game-specific issues can still occur and Proton/Wine configuration may be required.

Which distro is better for beginners?

Ubuntu GamePack removes many of the initial steps required to get into gaming on Linux. However, Pop!_OS is also beginner-friendly and provides a cleaner, more stable base for future customization.

Conclusion

Both Pop!_OS and Ubuntu GamePack are excellent choices for gaming in 2025, but they target different types of users. Pop!_OS prioritizes performance, low overhead, and robust NVIDIA support (especially via its dedicated ISO). Ubuntu GamePack focuses on convenience and covers a broad set of use cases for retro and Wine-based games by shipping many gaming tools out of the box.

Choose Pop!_OS if you want best performance and modern AAA game focus. Choose Ubuntu GamePack if you want immediate retro and Windows compatibility without manual setup. Either way, Linux in 2025 is an increasingly viable platform for gaming, and both distributions make it simpler than ever to enjoy a wide range of titles.

References & further reading

• ProtonDB — community compatibility reports for games
• System76 / Pop!_OS official documentation
• UALinux / Ubuntu GamePack official pages
• VKD3D-Proton and DXVK GitHub repositories
• NVIDIA and AMD Linux driver documentation