Ubuntu 15.10 VS Windows 10 : Alien Isolation Benchmark on a GTX 680

This benchmark takes a look at the Nvidia performance of the native versions of Alien Isolation on both Ubuntu and Windows.

Timeline:
1. Intro 0:00
2. Results 1:18
3. Side-by-side comparison 1:45
4. Summary 3:37

A big thanks to Feral Interactive for providing this review copy. To note, my 680 is only under the minimum requirements category. It should be safe to assume 700 series cards and newer can garner far better results.

An important thing to note is that the benchmark mode is not available in the Linux build, thus I had to benchmark this manually. I ran through the same scene in a similar manner for a set duration, and recorded the framerates.

Whilst performance is not directly at the level of the Windows version of the game, we do have to take note that the framerates are very playable.

It would appear Alien Isolation is built on-top of an in-house engine by Creative Assembly. My previous understanding that it was UE3 based is incorrect.

This is a solid port by Feral Interactive, and if horror games with elements of adventure/rpg are up your alley, then this is the next big triple-A title you need to get for your Linux gaming library!

This port is very stable, no crashes thus far, but more importantly it keeps the minimum framerate almost always at or above 60fps making for a very nice gameplay experience.

Purchase and Download Alien Isolation here:
or here:

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My main computer rig specs:
CPU - Intel i7-4770 3.4Ghz
GPU - GTX 680 2GB (355.11)
RAM - 24GB DDR3 ADATA 1600MHz
OS - Ubuntu 15.10 64Bit/Windows 10 Pro 64Bit (Dual Boot)

Video recorded using:
Canon SX50HS
Audacity 2.0.6

Video edited using the following software:
KDENLIVE 15.08.0
GIMP 2.8.14

Download Ubuntu 14.04 and 15.10 for free:

Download GIMP 2.8.14 for free:

My small development blog:

myromance123

About me:
I'm just a Malaysian, who is a game developer. Love Ubuntu and Linux, and more so gaming!

[xpander]

ohh still pretty big difference.. but its not as bad anymore
great video as always! keep it up

[Alexandro]

You should do nvidia overclocking guides and benchmarks as well. Good stuff though man, keep up the good work.

[Jakejw]

shame there's no frame by frame benchmark to make our lives easier! good job either way man. not too bad performance....another title we get beat on though :(

[MrGigolojoe]

hey maybe somebody can help me. i'm trying to play alien isolation but 1920x1080 is a little to high for me to keep it above 60 FPS all The time.. but The next resolution that is a 19:6 is 1366x768. how The hell can i set something in between?? nothing seems to work.. There must be a way

[DeyanDimitrov]

+Penguin Recordings Can you make a benchmark video of Strife?

[PenguinRecordings]

+Dan Doe are you on the Nvidia 355.11 drivers or newer?

[OsireztechBlogspot]

Unfortunately still very similar results as previous AAA titles but at least it's very playable.

[PenguinRecordings]

+Keiser Report this was something I've had on my mind recently as well. Most current gen cards are already a lot more powerful than my old card. I would presume next years new technology would be a leap above the current cards, considering it's a completely new fabrication.

[OnlyWayIsLinux-OWIL]

I take it you're using the NVIDIA 358.09 Beta driver on Ubuntu for this test?

[oanonymos]

does it work on you AMD with catalyst??!!

[mujahidseveralfold]

Currently using Win 8.1. Game quite heavily, is it worth it to upgrade to Win 10? Or no difference?

[KaynixAlexander]

Penguin Recordings: make a benchmark of "Spec Ops The Line."

[LeaveittotheMattster]

Penguin Recordings, I would like to remind you that Alien: Isolation was not made in Unreal Engine 3. Instead, Alien: Isolation is powered by Creative Assembly's own in-house engine. The reason why many games only get lower framerates in Linux than Windows is that we have no way to install DirectX on Linux. As a consequence, Linux is relied upon OpenGL for graphics rendering, thus causes higher overhead than DirectX if driver implementation is bad.

[RTheren]

SimpleScreenRecorder is available for Ubuntu 15.10 :D

[OOHAMI]

so ? can i play on windows 10 ? no ? yes ?

[Tutoelectro]

Yeah very playable in a 2000$ rig... Still a long way to go in my opinion.

[Cerbereus]

Well it's not bad at all for 30 fps but is a lot, I believe the best way to play with amd is Source 2 at less dota 2 is the only game that is optimized as far you benchmark it.
Feral need to improve more but on other cards not just nvidia then look to reduce the 30 fps. But is understandable that a game is not design to linux loose frames rendering it.
Well let hope this change with vulkan but as far I know it's pretty hard I don't think so dev want to do directx and vulkan for a game.

[MaoThest]

So there is basically a PS4 of a difference in performance. Seriously - how are they going to sell a Steam Machine to anybody?

privative graphics drivers are shit :-)