Even though it's lighter, Linux versions like Ubuntu, Manjaro, and Mint seem much slower compared to Windows.
Even though it's lighter, Linux versions like Ubuntu, Manjaro, and Mint seem much slower compared to Windows.
The kernel includes open source drivers that were developed from the ground up. This applies to both nVidia and AMD Radeon, while Intel fully supports these community-driven drivers. AMD offers them but with less commitment compared to Intel. It's possible things have shifted recently, but I don't have current details since I haven't needed to install beyond the standard OS version.
I wonder when these distros might slow down and under which conditions Windows runs smoother. They’re often designed to work across various systems, so some settings are kept flexible to avoid issues. Certain extra tools in your setup, like vaapi or Vulkan, might not be needed for basic operation but can help in specific cases. You can see how much RAM is allocated by checking the BIOS—it should be set to auto, which usually works well.
I'm trying to understand this better too. Maybe I should switch to a quicker distribution like Manjaro XFCE. I'm wondering if I'm getting mixed up between smoothness/animations and actual speed. It seems there might be more to it than just performance. After using it for a while, I can say the official Ubuntu version is definitely slower compared to others (Windows is faster too, but Manjaro is too). My computer runs Windows 10 fine for normal tasks, so this isn't about a slow machine—it's more about how refined the Ubuntu feels. Now I'm testing Manjaro and will check later if it's just a placebo effect or animation issue. Regarding drivers, does an integrated GPU (Intel) mean you don’t need to download or install them?
All equipment needs drivers to operate properly, regardless of whether it's built-in or separate. Most Linux distributions include a tool for managing hardware/drivers during installation. Not every distribution comes with the newest versions by default—they might be a bit outdated. To update, you can add third-party repositories that keep the latest drivers or visit the manufacturer’s site to download, compile, and install them yourself.
They aren't reverse engineered - in the case of AMD's and Intel's drivers they're written normally as drivers from AMD and Intel and arguably better than their Windows equivalents, the nouveau drivers are indeed reverse engineered but that's just because Nvidia refuse to support anything open source really (apart from releasing some GPU documentation a little bit back that didn't really help matters much). AMD does support the open source drivers reallu well as far as I know, with each new GPU release having support usually in the latest kernel with great performance. There is a proprietary AMDGPU driver but that actually performs worse for gaming and is only really for professional applications iirc
Arch (Manjaro) provides an excellent wiki. For Intel GPUs you can find helpful details there: wiki.archlinux. It also covers tweaking Firefox/Chrome, hardware acceleration, and many other topics.
Intel and AMD both contribute to the kernel and Mesa. Neither has been reverse engineered. After initial development, the community steps in. Intel tends to be more involved, while AMD likely receives the most community backing. Nvidia, on the other hand, undergoes reverse engineering, which explains its poor out-of-the-box support and makes it difficult to suggest a good Nvidia card for Linux users. Everything in Linux relies heavily on Mesa and open-source drivers; even AMDGPU-PRO performance is inconsistent and runs on top of Mesa. AMD defends by advising users to stick with the default Mesa stack and to use AMDGPU-PRO mainly for workstations. You might consider trying Manjaro KDE and turning off the Window Compositor, as I find KDE responsive. I’m currently using Windows temporarily for miscellaneous tasks, and it feels noticeably slower on the same hardware. Ideally, Intel and AMD should provide native support if their distribution ships with a current kernel and Mesa stack. Extra installations shouldn’t be necessary.
Things have shifted significantly. Back when I was using a 100% full-time Linux desktop from 2006 to 2009, Nvidia dominated the scene if you needed a solid driver with decent 3D capabilities. The proprietary drivers were straightforward to set up and configure. During that time, I focused on building systems with Linux in mind, relying heavily on Nvidia GPUs for performance. I’ve been working with green teams ever since, and over the past decade I’ve used Linux in virtual environments, though I can’t comment on today’s graphics hardware support.