Bazzite has been an excellent OS for my second gaming PC, but I can't replace Windows 11 with it on my main rig — here's why

Valve's SteamOS, also known as Bazzite, has been a strong contender for users seeking an alternative to Windows 11, particularly for its improved gaming performance and console-like interface. However, despite its numerous advantages, the author found that they were unable to completely replace Windows 11 on their primary gaming PC due to several limitations.

One significant drawback is the impact of Bazzite on multitasking. As a frequent multitasker using applications like Discord to stream games to friends, the author discovered that Bazzite's game mode caused severe frame rate drops and constant stutters when streaming games on Discord. The issue is even more pronounced in game mode, which is the primary reason for using Bazzite.

The author also encountered issues with HDMI passthrough and refresh rate limitations when attempting to use HDMI splitters or higher-capacity capture cards.

Another obstacle is the compatibility of popular multiplayer games on Linux. Many modern games, including Battlefield 6, Call of Duty, Destiny 2, and EA Sports FC 26, are incompatible with Linux due to their anti-cheat systems. This issue has yet to be addressed, despite the potential for publishers and developers to adapt their anti-cheat systems for Linux compatibility. Additionally, Game Pass is inaccessible on Bazzite, requiring either cloud gaming or third-party launchers, which can be unreliable.

Nvidia GPUs also present a significant challenge for Bazzite, often resulting in glitchy functionality or complete black screens in game mode. The author tested this by switching their GPU from an AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, finding that game mode on Bazzite with an Nvidia GPU was frustrating to use. This made it difficult for the author to achieve optimal gaming performance on their main rig, which is equipped with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super.

Despite these challenges, the author acknowledges that these pain points may be resolved in the future through updates or new versions of Bazzite or SteamOS. However, for now, the author has decided to stick with Windows 11 on their main rig, even though they desperately want to move away from it.