Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Painkiller runs through Proton, using the VK3D since it uses DX12 on Windows, the game uses Unreal Engine 4.
Performance seems to be better on Windows, but it might be within the margin of error, I've also notice that every-time it does stutter, it does stutter on both systems but it's slightly more aggravated on Linux.
I did use The proton 9.0-4, haven't tried Proton 10 beta or experimental, but probably more performance can be yield from those.
In the end both offered a very good performance, still Windows 11 is slightly better on my test but in a locked 60 FPS experience, either going with Linux or Windows will be the same.
Unfortunately given how fast paced and different the game runs at each run, a Side-by-Side comparison wouldn't be ideal.
Timestamps:
Linux Mint 22.2: 00:00
Windows 11 24H2: 02:40
Performance:
Gameplay Linux: 1% Low: 80 | Avg: 161
Gameplay Windows: 1% Low: 97 | Avg: 168
Gameplay (Linux Vs Windows):
Average: 4% Worse
1% Low: 18% Worse
Systems:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
Ram: 2x8GB Gskill Trident Neo Z 3600MHZ CL 16
MBoard: MSI B450M Mortar Max
GPU: XFX RX 6700 XT SWFT 12GB VRAM (Limited to PCI-EX 3)
SSD: Crucial MX500 500GB
PSU: Corsair CX-550M
Software (Windows):
GPU Drivers: AMD Adrenalin 25.9.2
OS: Windows 11 PRO 24H2
Video Recorder: OBS
Monitor Stats & FPS Monitoring: MSI Afterburner 4.6.5
Software (Linux):
Compatibility Layer: Proton 9.0-4
GPU Drivers: Mesa 25.0.7
OS: Linux Mint 22.2
DE: Cinnamon 6.4.8
Kernel: 6.14.0
Video Recorder: OBS (Flatpak)
Monitor Stats & FPS Monitoring: MangoHud 0.6.9.1
Video Editor: Shotcut
Painkiller runs through Proton, using the VK3D since it uses DX12 on Windows, the game uses Unreal Engine 4.
Performance seems to be better on Windows, but it might be within the margin of error, I've also notice that every-time it does stutter, it does stutter on both systems but it's slightly more aggravated on Linux.
I did use The proton 9.0-4, haven't tried Proton 10 beta or experimental, but probably more performance can be yield from those.
In the end both offered a very good performance, still Windows 11 is slightly better on my test but in a locked 60 FPS experience, either going with Linux or Windows will be the same.
Unfortunately given how fast paced and different the game runs at each run, a Side-by-Side comparison wouldn't be ideal.
Timestamps:
Linux Mint 22.2: 00:00
Windows 11 24H2: 02:40
Performance:
Gameplay Linux: 1% Low: 80 | Avg: 161
Gameplay Windows: 1% Low: 97 | Avg: 168
Gameplay (Linux Vs Windows):
Average: 4% Worse
1% Low: 18% Worse
Systems:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
Ram: 2x8GB Gskill Trident Neo Z 3600MHZ CL 16
MBoard: MSI B450M Mortar Max
GPU: XFX RX 6700 XT SWFT 12GB VRAM (Limited to PCI-EX 3)
SSD: Crucial MX500 500GB
PSU: Corsair CX-550M
Software (Windows):
GPU Drivers: AMD Adrenalin 25.9.2
OS: Windows 11 PRO 24H2
Video Recorder: OBS
Monitor Stats & FPS Monitoring: MSI Afterburner 4.6.5
Software (Linux):
Compatibility Layer: Proton 9.0-4
GPU Drivers: Mesa 25.0.7
OS: Linux Mint 22.2
DE: Cinnamon 6.4.8
Kernel: 6.14.0
Video Recorder: OBS (Flatpak)
Monitor Stats & FPS Monitoring: MangoHud 0.6.9.1
Video Editor: Shotcut
