'How To Set Up Pop!_OS Linux for Gaming - Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial'

In this video, I cover how to set up an installation of Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS for gaming.

Step 1. Install the Correct GPU Driver & Kernel For Your Hardware.

Pop!_OS is unique in that it offers two ISO files for installation.

One that includes the proprietary Nvidia driver, for people with Nvidia GPUs, and one for people that have Intel or AMD GPUs.

System 76, the makers of Pop!_OS also keep their ISOs up to date, meaning it is likely that when you install Pop OS for the first time, you will be using the latest driver available.

In other words, if you keep your system up to date, you will always be running the latest driver available.

On a related note, Pop OS now updates the kernel in-between releases, so for people with newer AMD hardware, you no longer must manually update the kernel.

Step 2. Install Steam and Enable Proton Support for Your Entire Steam Library.

Steam can be installed from the Pop Shop, but make sure that you choose the Pop OS version, and not the Flatpak.

The latter is for more advanced users who want the sandboxed version of Steam and understand the shortcomings of that method.

Once Steam is installed, launch, update, and then sign in with your account.

Next we need to enable Proton globally so that we can play some Windows developed games on Linux.

First, navigate to Steam, Settings, Steam Play, and tick both Enable Steam Play for supported titles, and Enable Steam Play for all other titles.

You will find it will give the option to choose either Proton Experimental, or stable builds of Proton.

In 99% of cases, stick with Proton Experimental, which just means it will include fixes for games that might not have been fully tested yet.

You can always manually select a stable build on a game-by-game basis later if you find a game does not launch.

Either way, once done, click OK and restart Steam.

At this point, the process of installing games is identical to Windows, select a game, follow the installation process and launch the game as normal.

Step 3. Use Lutris to Play Games Outside of Steam.

Lutris can be installed from the Pop Shop, and once installed, launch.

The use of Lutris is simple, either click on the store you have a library in under Sources, sign into your account, and the games should appear in the right panel.

Alternatively, if you have games not natively supported by Lutris, then click the + symbol at the top left, and choose the appropriate option, in most cases you will be using the Search the Lutris website for installers option.

From here search for game and follow the installation instructions.

In most cases once the installation is finished, you can launch the game, by selecting it and pressing the Play button.

However, if you want to be more granular with your installation, right click on the selection and click the configure option, and under Runner and System options you will find a wide variety of toggles to tweak the game to your liking.

#popos #linux #gaming

Social Media Links

[IntelligentGaming]

If you found this video helpful or informative, please don't forget to like and share as this helps me with the YouTube algorithm.

[randomgab]

My first linux experience was with Pop! OS. Arguably the best linux experience for new linux users!

[minux]

Thank you as always for all your effort to help Linux users :). Pop! OS is a really lovely distro for beginners. They do it so good that now I find myself switching constantly between pop and arch. I'd wish I could decide for one xD

[vladislavkaras]

Thank you for publishing text version in the description!
Great video for beginners (or at least text instructions/description :D)!

[FreshMootz]

I finally said a big FU to windows. If I can get the majority of my games to work I'm a happy guy. I don't play multiplayer games, so that's not a problem. My only slight concern is PCVR, which I'm sure will be implemented in my Quest 2 eventually. Or not. I dont really care.

[Syewm]

I know that Pop OS is beginner friendly, but does it actually performe better than say Mint in gaming? If yes what's the reason? Thanks

[shanegervais]

I love these videos, helps me setup my OS very quickly!

[togwam]

I know this may sound dumb for asking but will installing coreboot affect the process or experience in any way?

[Benjamin-lvhb]

Thanks alot for all the tutorial you have made over the years. I always found something that helped me when problems occured. I do have a question tho. I have seen your video on how to enable hardware video decoding on arch based systems, but is there a way to enable it on debian/ubuntu based system? Or any non-arch system(Fedora or OpenSuse)?

[blacklightning]

I’m a bit confused here 0:41
I already installed Pop OS. So is hitting that download button something I still need to do to allow me to install and prepare my pc for launching steam games? I actually deleted everything and reformatted my external 2 TB HDD because I thought I had done everything right for steam but while games would “launch” no windows would open and a few seconds later the play button was ready to be clicked on, again. Literally no games would open except need for speed underground 2 which was installed through Lutris. I really want my games to actually launch so I can actually play them.

[vimukthimendis]

Hi. Could you do a video on green with envy please. I tried it on Garuda os and tired to over click my GPU and got a black screen. I'm new to Linux so I don't know much commands to reverse such issues. Now I'm trying Pop os but I'm a little worried to try to over clock. I have 1050ti so I must OC to play games. Thanks

[Sevehn]

will the newest NVIDIA drivers be on pop OS 22.04, as i have seen no new versions of pop OS for a while.

[NapalmWeed]

Love the videos, I wanted to suggest, a guide to setting up Fedora 36 for gaming, a friend is using it and it seems that it runs way better and having a guide to set it up for gaming would help, I have a build to test it, plus your guides are awesome!

[Blitzbirne]

Thanks for the Tutorial, but can you show how to add more storage to Steam? I can't figure it out by myself :(

[atuldubey]

Hi Did you face isses regarding systemd and problems after coming from hibernatjon of the laptop with Nvidia drivers. I cannot figure out what todo.

[vinnyvangogh]

Any idea on how to get monitors in a docking station working on pop? Tried just about everything I can find most guides are pretty outdated though and can't get it to work, it's the one thing keeping me from fully transitioning

[blacklightning]

I also need to know if I should install the flat pack or the deb version of steam.

[caster-]

Is your arch setup for gaming outdated by now or still worth following it?

[cybernit]

I tried popos! with the nividia option 22.04 and I booted up and tried demo mode. But having a problem with USB C to Displayport... I am using an ASUS TUF A15 laptop... rtx3060... 2021...
My laptop screen and an external monitor hooked up to the hdmi port works... but I have another monitor hooked up to the USB C to DISPLAYPORT Monitor I just get a black screen.
I tried to fiddle with the SETTINGS>DISPLAY... it shows all 3 monitors... but it then displays only the 2 monitors. But in the Monitor Display list...the 3rd it shows but I try to apply but it doesn't work.
In Windows 11 everything works perfectly... so my hardware is working.... I thought Pop OS! can run on laptops with nividia gfx good. Any help appreciated...thanks

[nidfnix]

Recently installed pop os can't create steam game shortcuts and installed games can't be seen on show applications menu, only in steam