Fedora KDE Gaming - MalwareTester74/Linux-gaming-guide GitHub Wiki

🎮 Gaming on Fedora KDE: Setup Guide

Fedora KDE is a cutting-edge yet stable Linux distribution that features the latest KDE Plasma desktop while maintaining a balance between new software and system stability. However, it does not include proprietary drivers or gaming tools by default, so manual setup is required for Steam, Lutris, Wine/Proton, and driver optimization.

✅ Rolling KDE updates on a stable Fedora base
✅ Optimized for security and performance
✅ Great balance between new software and system stability

⚠️ Important: Fedora focuses on open-source software, so proprietary drivers and codecs (like NVIDIA drivers) must be installed manually.

1️⃣ Enabling RPM Fusion (Required for Gaming Tools & Drivers)

Fedora does not include proprietary software by default. To enable Steam, NVIDIA drivers, and multimedia codecs, enable RPM Fusion:

sudo dnf install \
https://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm \
https://download1.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm

Update your system:

sudo dnf update -y

2️⃣ Installing Steam on Fedora KDE

Once RPM Fusion is enabled, install Steam:

sudo dnf install steam -y

Enabling Steam Play (Proton) for Windows Games

  1. Open Steam → Go to Settings.
  2. Navigate to Steam Play.
  3. Check "Enable Steam Play for supported titles".
  4. (Optional) Enable "Enable Steam Play for all other titles" to run all Windows games.
  5. Select the latest Proton version (Proton-GE is recommended).

To install Proton-GE (a community-enhanced Proton version), use ProtonUp-Qt:

flatpak install flathub net.davidotek.pupgui2

Launch ProtonUp-Qt and install the latest Proton-GE.

3️⃣ Installing Lutris for Non-Steam Games

Lutris allows you to run Epic Games, GOG, Battle.net, Ubisoft Connect, and more.

sudo dnf install lutris -y

Launch Lutris from the applications menu or via terminal:

lutris

To install Epic Games, GOG, or other launchers, open Lutris and search for the respective installer.

4️⃣ Installing Wine & Proton for Windows Games

Step 1: Install Wine & Winetricks

sudo dnf install wine winetricks -y

Step 2: Verify Wine Installation

wine --version

Step 3: Install Essential Libraries with Winetricks

winetricks corefonts vcrun2019 dxvk

5️⃣ GPU Driver Setup for Fedora KDE

Fedora does not install proprietary drivers automatically.

NVIDIA Users

  1. Enable NVIDIA drivers from RPM Fusion:
sudo dnf install akmod-nvidia xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-cuda -y
  1. Reboot your system:
reboot
  1. Verify installation:
nvidia-smi

AMD Users

AMD drivers are built into the Linux kernel, but install Mesa and Vulkan drivers for better performance:

sudo dnf install mesa-vulkan-drivers libvulkan1 libvulkan1:i686 -y

Verify Vulkan support:

vulkaninfo | less

6️⃣ Optimizing Gaming Performance on Fedora KDE

1. Enable GameMode (Performance Booster)

Fedora includes GameMode, which optimizes CPU and GPU performance during gaming:

sudo dnf install gamemode -y

For Steam games, go to Properties → Launch Options and add:

gamemoderun %command%

2. Enable Fsync for Lower Input Lag

Add this to Steam’s Launch Options:

PROTON_NO_ESYNC=1 PROTON_NO_FSYNC=0 %command%

3. Enable ZRAM for Better Memory Management

ZRAM compresses RAM to improve performance:

sudo dnf install zram-generator -y
sudo systemctl enable --now zram-swap

4. Set CPU Governor to Performance Mode

Check current governor:

cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_governor

Set to performance mode:

sudo dnf install kernel-tools -y
sudo cpupower frequency-set -g performance

7️⃣ Additional Tools for Linux Gaming

MangoHud (FPS Overlay & Performance Monitor)

Install using:

sudo dnf install mangohud -y

Run a game with MangoHud:

mangohud %command%

vkBasalt (Reshade-like Post-Processing for Vulkan Games)

Install:

sudo dnf install vkbasalt -y

Enable it for Vulkan games:

VK_ICD_FILENAMES=/usr/share/vulkan/icd.d/intel_icd.x86_64.json vkbasalt %command%

Final Thoughts: Is Fedora KDE Good for Gaming?

✅ Pros:
✔️ Always up-to-date KDE Plasma desktop.
✔️ Stable Fedora base with modern software.
✔️ Supports all major gaming tools (Steam, Lutris, Proton, Wine).
✔️ Includes security features like SELinux and Wayland.

❌ Cons:
❌ Requires manual setup for gaming.
❌ Lacks pre-installed proprietary drivers.
❌ Fedora’s strict open-source policy means extra steps for gaming setup.

🔥 Fedora KDE is a great choice for gamers who want a cutting-edge, stable, and secure Linux gaming experience! 🎮