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AMD CPU Use Among Linux Gamers Approaching 70% Marketshare
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this post was submitted on 03 Jul 2023
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How much of that do we think is down to the steamdeck? (and I guess similar form factor alternatives)
I guess Intel dropping the ball on being competitive for a couple of generations probably hasn't helped either
GPU VanGogh (the name Steam gives to SteamDeck GPU) is currently ~40% of the whole Linux userbase on Steam; so, yeah. pretty much everything.
Intel has never been competitive in terms of GPUs. PCs running Intel iGPUs are machines waiting for a 'real' GPU and the like. Intel Arcs are relatively too young to have a significant weight in the totality of the userbase: naturally, for the sake of Linux, one hopes that Intel can gain more weight... specifically against Nvidia which is currently the only company to have exclusively closed source drivers
That implies that the remaining 60% non-vangogh GPU is evenly split between AMD and Nvidia which is still interesting given Nvidia's much higher market share. That does line up with the general disposition of Linux users - dislike of tech giants
There's actually a practical problem with Nvidia.
People that use Linux don't have a single set of reference like, let's say "Windows 10 or Windows 11": there are tons of different Linux flavor you can try by simply boot a CD/USB dongle with full Vulkan support... except if it's Nvidia: since Nvidia closed source driver are restricted in distribution an/or packaging meager.
In short: with AMD/Intel GPU you got latest updated driver coming right to the very core of the OS (right in the Linux's kernel), it doesn't matter which Linux you boot, ~100% GPU driver works flawlessly
...on the other side with Nvidia? Good luck with that!
I have to say I haven't had an issue with Nvidia graphics on Linux in... ummm... 10 years I guess? I used to switch between Nvidia and AMD GPUs but for the last 7 years it's only been Nvidia in my computer. Now, I would love to try the latest AMD stuff but there's one critical problem:
AMD choosing to only provide open source drivers is absolutely great except for one thing: They lack the HDMI 2.1 support on Linux because HDMI Forum doesn't allow that to be open sourced for some reason. I also happen to use an LG C2 42" "monitor" on my work desk for the great real estate and I really need the HDMI 2.1 support. So now I'm stuck with Nvidia GPUs until either AMD can implement the HDMI 2.1 support for their Linux drivers or I feel like replacing the insanely expensive monitor for something equivalent or maybe better with a DisplayPort connectivity.
Interesting, thanks for enlightening me! That is very much ‘tech giant’ behavior
FYI it's amd that named it vangogh not steam.
There is also the fact that many linux users don't want Intel Management Engine on their chip. Its a mini OS on the chip without opensource code.
Ilike opensource for that reason. I guess we have to take AMDs word for it only being a security chip to monitor mal code execution.. At least with Intel we know it is a management OS fully capable of accessing network with machine powered off, and is a back way into the system where you can access screen, keystrokes etc. The security on it was bad and around 2017 allowed people passwordless login via a null password response.
I think a good amount of that is gonna be Steam Decks, maybe to a lesser extent custom APU-based builds for things like HTPCs.
To be honest, if I was looking at building a new Linux based gaming rig now, it would likely be all AMD, especially given their recent open source moves with the EFI/Agisa or whatever it's called. Not to mention the excellent linux driver support for their GPUs in comparison to Nvidia.
Just wish AMD would standardise their GPU naming scheme because it's confusing for people like me who aren't following it ☹️ the last time I understood their naming scheme there were RX460/RX470/RX480, then next year RX560/RX570/RX580, but now it's RX 7600 7900XT, 7900XTX 😵
Among all PC gamers? Probably less than 5%.