Optimizing Game Performance on Linux with Proton (GE-Proton)
Linux has become an increasingly viable platform for games, but not all games natively support Linux (yet)... Thanks to tools like Proton, which bridges the gap between Windows games and Linux compatibility. Here's how to improve your gaming experience on Linux by configuring Proton, with a focus on using custom versions like GE-Proton, for this example I'll use Rust.
Step 1: Install ProtonUp-Qt
ProtonUp-Qt is a tool that makes it easy to install and manage different Proton-GE versions. Start by installing it using yay:
yay -S protonup-qt
Step 2: Run ProtonUp-Qt
Launch ProtonUp-Qt from your application menu or terminal. This utility will help you manage and install different versions of Proton.
Step 3: Add a New Proton Version
Within the ProtonUp-Qt interface:
- Click on Add Version.
- Select GE-Proton as the compatibility tool from the dropdown menu.
Step 4: Select the Appropriate Proton Version
To choose the best version for your game:
- Visit ProtonDB, search for your game—in this case, Rust—to see which versions of Proton other users have successfully used.
- For example, based on user reports for Rust with a system similar to yours, select Proton 9.0-4.
- Click Install to add this version to your system.
Step 5: Configure Steam
After the installation:
- Restart Steam to ensure it recognizes the newly installed Proton version.
- Navigate to your game library, right-click on Rust, and select Properties.
- Go to the Compatibility tab.
- Check the box next to Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool, and select Proton 9.0-4 from the list.
Step 6: Enjoy Enhanced Gaming
Run Rust. It should now perform better, leveraging the enhancements and optimizations provided by the selected Proton version.
some extra info you might need for protonDB: Platinum: Game runs perfectly out of the box Gold: Game runs perfectly after some tweaks Silver: Game runs with minor issues, but generally playable Bronze: Game runs, but often crashes or has issues preventing comfortable playing Borked: Either wont start or is crucially unplayable