When it comes to building a gaming PC, choosing the right operating system is essential to maximize your gaming performance. Windows is the most popular OS on the market, but it isn’t necessarily the best gaming OS. It can be plagued with bloatware and slow startup times, not to mention its susceptibility to viruses and malware. While Windows is the most popular for gaming, we’re going to compare the other best operating systems for gaming, and take a look at their pros and cons.
Linux is a great choice for gamers who don’t want to use Windows. It’s an open-source, free operating system that can be customized to your liking and needs. It’s a great choice for modding and tinkering, as the open-source environment allows for a lot of flexibility. Linux should be able to run most Windows programs, and it’s a great choice for amateur coders, too. However, the availability of game titles is limited, so if you’re primarily focused on gaming, this might not be the best option.
Apple’s OS X is a great OS for gaming, as it was designed with gaming in mind. OS X will run most game titles, and you won’t have to worry about bloatware or viruses. However, the gaming selection is more limited than with Windows, and some games may require a more up to date OS. OS X is a great choice for gaming, but if you’re focused on playing the latest and greatest titles, you’ll be better off with Windows.
Apple’s macOS is a great gaming option for Mac users. macOS provides excellent performance for gaming and is generally considered the most stable and secure operating system available. Additionally, it’s a good choice for modding and hacking, as the open-source environment allows for a lot of customization. However, macOS gaming selection is limited compared to Windows and Linux.
SteamOS is a Linux-based operating system developed by Valve and designed to be used in the living room, on your TV. SteamOS is an excellent OS for gaming, as it was specifically designed with gaming PC’s in mind. It has great performance, runs games extremely well, and has a wide variety of titles available, with more being added all the time. Additionally, it’s free, open source and very secure. However, it isn’t as versatile as some of the other options.
In conclusion, there is no single ‘best’ OS for gaming, as it depends on your specific needs and preferences. Windows is the most popular for gaming and has the most titles, but is also susceptible to viruses and malware. Linux is great for modding and tinkering, but its game selection is lacking. macOS is great for gaming, but its gaming selection is limited. SteamOS is excellent for gaming, but is more limited in its versatility. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which OS best suits your needs.
More on Windows
Windows has long been the go-to operating system for gamers, and for good reason. It has the broadest game selection, and the huge majority of titles available are designed and optimized specifically for Windows. It’s also the most versatile OS, since it can run programs and applications beyond gaming. Finally, Windows features DirectX and other features such as game streaming and remote gaming, where you can remotely access your PC from anywhere and play games. Not to mention, it’s generally easier to find and purchase games for Windows than other operating systems.
Of course, Windows also has a few drawbacks. It’s prone to viruses, malware and other malicious software, so you’ll need to have an antivirus program running at all times to stay safe. Additionally, you’ll need to pay for Windows and purchasing OEM versions can be a hassle. Finally, Windows can be riddled with bloatware, slowing your startup and boot times and dragging your gaming performance down.
More on Linux
When it comes to Linux, the biggest benefit is that it’s completely free and open source. You can tweak and customize it to your liking, and it’s great for modding and tinkering with your gaming PC. Plus, it’s a lot more secure than Windows and won’t slow down significantly with time, since it’s not prone to viruses and malware.
The biggest downside of Linux is the game selection. While there are some titles available through services such as Steam, the selection is much more limited than Windows (and macOS). Additionally, some games may require you to update your Linux version, which can be a hassle. Finally, your gaming performance may be slightly worse than it would be on Windows or macOS, depending on the game.
More on macOS
OS X is Apple’s operating system and runs great on Macs. It’s generally considered the most stable and secure OS, as it’s designed specifically to work with Mac hardware. As such, you won’t have to worry about bloatware or viruses getting in the way when gaming. Additionally, OS X will run most game titles, and its gaming selection is growing all the time.
The biggest downside of OS X is limited game selection and hardware compatibility. Some games may require a more up to date OS version, which can be a hassle. Additionally, some games may not run on your Mac, due to incompatible hardware or outdated drivers.
More on SteamOS
SteamOS is a Linux-based operating system developed by Valve and designed specifically for gaming PCs. It’s great for gaming, as it runs most game titles with great performance and has a wide variety of titles available, with more being added all the time. Additionally, it’s free, open source and very secure.
The biggest downside of SteamOS is its limited versatility. It’s designed with gaming in mind and can’t run most applications or programs. Additionally, it’s not as user-friendly as most other operating systems, so it may be intimidating to those who aren’t tech-savvy.
