Playing games on a Linux virtual machine is generally allowed.
Playing games on a Linux virtual machine is generally allowed.
Cosmic OS seems similar to POP OS. I'm planning to test games on Steam to compare performance between Cosmic OS and Steam OS. I was thinking about setting up Proxmox VMs with each OS and trying them out. Has anyone faced problems running Linux in a Proxmox VM while playing games? (My PC has an Intel 10700K and a GTX 3080.) Could using Linux in a VM for a game trigger an anticheat ban?
Cosmic OS refers to the upcoming Cosmic Desktop Environment intended for use with PopOS. I haven’t come across any mention of it before. Running Linux inside a virtual machine should work, but you might face performance challenges and compatibility problems. For testing performance and compatibility, a VM could be less ideal. Usually, these situations call for passing through a full GPU and allocating dedicated resources to the VM, though this won’t fully mimic your actual hardware. Windows gaming inside a VM is seen by some anti-cheat systems as a serious violation.
You're looking for a virtual environment to test different operating systems like Steam OS, Cosmic Desktop, and possibly Ubuntu. You want something that's not Windows but lets you run your Steam games smoothly.
SteamOS was created exclusively for the Steam Deck. Some community efforts have adapted it for desktop environments, though compatibility with NVIDIA remains uncertain. The Steam Deck runs on AMD hardware, while PopOS operates on Ubuntu LTS. The main distinction lies in the desktop interface and the absence of Snaps on PopOS. Snaps can be demanding and resource-intensive; if required, support can be added later. For your options, I suggest starting with PopOS, which includes a NVIDIA ISO for faster setup. Keep in mind that Cosmic Desktop is still in development, and the latest PopOS stable release is still in alpha. The upcoming Epoch 2 testing won’t finish soon, possibly not reaching full readiness. Using Cosmic now positions you as an early adopter—be prepared for potential bugs and missing features.
The anti-cheat functionality in a game varies depending on the specific system being used—whether it's running directly on Linux or within a virtual machine. If you own accounts in games you're passionate about, it's wise to research the details of each anti-cheat solution before proceeding. Performance can be affected significantly; VMs may approach native speeds if optimized, but they often incur some performance cost. Poor tuning can lead to noticeable lag. This topic dives deep, so consider testing on a dedicated drive if you have one to evaluate alternatives before committing to a full installation. Overall, ensuring games run smoothly is more critical than chasing minor frame improvements. Adjusting settings and optimizing components can yield better results than relying solely on the operating system.
Cosmic is just another desktop setup (DE), not a standalone operating system. When comparing Steam OS, Pop!_OS, and Ubuntu, you're really looking at early versions of these environments. It’s best to use it for a sneak peek rather than deciding which one suits you best. Playing in a virtual machine can limit 3D performance because of GPU restrictions, and it also increases the chance of anti-cheat issues. I’d prefer using a separate partition or second drive for dual booting. This gives a more accurate assessment of how each runs on your hardware. Just remember some anti-cheat tools may not work well with Linux, even without virtualization. Performance variations between distributions are usually small and depend mainly on the kernel version they ship with. Updates can change things—like ray tracing support or VRR—so keep an eye on new releases. Choose a distribution you feel confident with, and don’t stress over minor speed differences. You won’t notice a dramatic 20% boost between them.