This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:11:10
The video by CJ from Elevated Systems delves into the integration of Intel XE Alchemist support in Linux kernel 6.2, addressing long-standing compatibility issues for Intel Arc graphics cards on Linux. This development simplifies hardware setup and is favorable to non-technical users. CJ tests various games using an Intel A750 GPU on both Pop! OS and Garuda Linux, noting mixed results: some games like "CS:GO" show significant performance improvements, while others like "Red Dead Redemption 2" and "Assassin's Creed Valhalla" fail to run properly. DirectX 12 games demonstrate persistent compatibility issues, suggesting ongoing challenges until future kernel updates. The creator switches to an AMD RX 6600 GPU for comparison, observing better performance, especially in DirectX 12 games, and highlighting broader compatibility issues with Intel GPUs for non-gaming applications. Conclusively, despite improvements since the launch of Intel A380 and A750 GPUs, AMD is recommended for Linux gaming due to more consistent support, aided by the Steam Deck's development efforts. Viewers are encouraged to share their experiences and follow the channel for updates.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, CJ from Elevated Systems discusses the newly incorporated Intel XE Alchemist support in Linux kernel 6.2, which enables Intel Arc graphics cards to function seamlessly on many Linux distributions without additional setup. This advance addresses long-standing issues with gaming on Linux due to hardware and driver compatibility. CJ emphasizes that this support removes the need for terminal-based installations and is particularly beneficial for less technical users. He then outlines his testing setup, which includes an Intel A750 limited edition graphics card and a system powered by an Intel 13400f processor, running on both Pop! OS 22.04 and Garuda Linux distributions. He also notes that while he could use Lutris for multiple game launchers, he will focus on testing some Steam games.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the host explores the performance of various games on a Linux system using Intel Arc graphics. Starting with “Shadow of the Tomb Raider,” the game launches successfully but runs at a significantly lower average FPS compared to Windows. Conversely, “CS:GO” shows a 40% performance improvement over Windows. “Civilization 6” performs adequately, while “Red Dead Redemption 2” fails to run altogether. The host then tests “Cyberpunk 2077,” which runs poorly with severe strobing and low frame rates, starkly contrasting its performance on Windows.
Switching to “The Witcher 3,” the game freezes under DX12 but runs, albeit poorly, in DX11. Similar issues arise with “Horizon Zero Dawn” and “Doom Eternal,” the latter displaying severe texture artifacts despite smoother gameplay. The segment concludes with “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla,” which fails to run due to driver limitations. This highlights that while there have been improvements, compatibility and performance issues persist for many games on Linux with Intel Arc graphics.
00:06:00
In this segment of the video, the creator discusses the challenges of running DirectX 12 games on Linux with Intel Arc GPUs using Steam Play Proton compatibility. Many games either don’t work or have significant issues. This problem is expected to persist at least until kernel version 6.4. The creator emphasizes that their channel is independent and viewer-supported, encouraging viewers to like and subscribe.
They then detail their switch to Garuda Linux KDE Dragonized Gaming Edition, which includes more proton options, a customized kernel, and the latest Mesa version 23. Despite these features, game performance saw minimal improvement, with only a few more games launching compared to Pop OS. Titles like Tomb Raider and CS:GO had similar performance, but Doom crashed several times. DirectX 12 games, notably Valhalla and Red Dead Redemption 2, still performed poorly.
For contrast, the creator switched to an AMD RX 6600 GPU and observed better performance, especially in DirectX 12 games, highlighting the current struggles of Linux gaming with Intel Arc GPUs. The segment also notes that non-gaming applications like Blender and DaVinci Resolve Studio don’t recognize the Intel GPU, indicating broader compatibility issues.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the presenter shares their final conclusions after extensive testing of Intel’s Alchemy architecture on Linux. They note that despite initial challenges, Intel and Linux have made significant progress in integrating this technology. Specifically, they highlight improvements seen since the launch of Intel’s A380 GPU and subsequent A750 and 770 models. Initially, the A750 could only run a few titles on Ubuntu, and performance was poor. However, recent updates have made more games playable, even if the performance isn’t optimal. The presenter recommends sticking with AMD cards for Linux gaming due to better support and development, largely credited to the Steam Deck. They invite early adopters of Intel Arc on Linux to share their experiences in the comments and encourage viewers to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for future content.