Here's the smooth path to enjoy Windows apps on Linux without additional tweaking. With the default NTSYNC kernel module enabled by KDE Linux, we finally got the best way to deal with compatibility layers. Now, it's a huge thing.
KDE Linux enables NTSYNC by default to cut CPU overhead for Windows games
Why? It allows you to get the best performance without manual tweaks. It means that if you're a gamer who's bought Linux-based gaming rigs, you'll have a better experience on Windows games from now on.
To make a long story short, it's all about the NTSYNC kernel driver that emulates synchronization approaches from Windows NT. We had confirmation from Nate Graham, a developer of KDE Linux, that we're getting the major update with this approach since October. Initially, it was included as a part of the Linux 6.14 kernel.
It's a crucial part of Wine 11.0. What's the benefit of this implementation? This ensures that the driver will be active in the whole system, not just in particular apps.
NTSYNC helps to save a lot of CPU load when running Windows games through Wine and Proton. It does it via reducing the overhead on switching between kernel mode and user mode. What's the relation?
That's a technical aspect that directly affects the OS in dealing with the threads of games. In short, this is more efficient to launch those complex apps.
You can notice the best improvements in the performance on CPU-heavy games that mainly depend on the CPU rate. There, it's the lower latency for synchronization thanks to the default update. But you might not feel much difference compared to games if you're using the system for other purposes. So this update is mostly dedicated to optimization of the compatibility layer for Windows apps.
This is definitely a milestone for smooth Windows gaming on Linux. Now, we have the default NTSYNC module enabled. So you no longer have to tweak it on your own.
Just start running any game and get the best performance. Now, Linux (KDE) is surely the OS for Windows apps.
This is a solid move by KDE. NTSYNC reduces the kernel mode switching overhead significantly for CPU bound Windows games.
Does this actually change the frame pacing in Proton or is it just raw CPU usage? I need numbers before I switch distros.
It is mostly about latency and avoiding the context switch penalty. You will see smoother 1% lows in heavy simulation titles.
finally no manual config for wine 😅
Don’t get too excited. Anti cheat games like Valorant still won’t run on Linux regardless of the kernel module.
The Linux 6.14 merge was clean. It just took distro vendors months to flip the default switch.