Key Takeaways
1. Many gamers criticize Windows 11 for not performing as well as Windows 10, leading some to stick with Windows 10 or consider switching to Linux.
2. Hardware Unboxed’s tests show that the latest Windows 11 25H2 update improves gaming performance, outperforming Windows 10 in both 1080p and 1440p/4K resolutions.
3. Comparisons between operating systems can be complex due to varying hardware and game selections, affecting performance results.
4. With Windows 10 support ending in October 2025, upgrading to Windows 11 may be a wise choice for gamers.
5. Future comparisons between Windows 11 25H2 and Linux/SteamOS will be important, as some devices already perform better with SteamOS.
Windows 11 faces a lot of criticism from gamers on the internet. A quick look on subreddits like r/pcmasterrace shows that many gamers were not happy with Windows 11 because they felt it didn’t perform as well as Windows 10. So much so, that a lot of users are still sticking with Windows 10 and even thinking about switching to Linux for their systems. However, there is some positive news from Hardware Unboxed’s recent tests on gaming performance with Windows 11.
Performance Improvements
According to Hardware Unboxed, after the most recent 25H2 update, Windows 11 tends to be quicker than Windows 10 when it comes to gaming. When paired with an RTX 5090, the 25H2 version of Windows 11 outperforms Windows 10 22H2 at both 1080p and 1440p/4K resolutions, showing an average performance increase of 1.2% and 5%, respectively. The tests included a range of both new and older AAA titles, including games like Battlefield 6, Spider-Man 2, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, Mafia: The Old Country, and more.
Testing Challenges
This is a change from Hardware Unboxed’s 2024 tests, where Windows 10 was found to be faster than Windows 11 22H2. It’s important to note that comparing the performance of one operating system to another can be quite complicated. The results can vary based on the hardware used. Additionally, the games selected for testing can also influence the outcome. Using a different set of games than the 14 titles tested by HU could lead to different performance results.
In light of this, Windows 11 25H2 seems to be a promising update for gamers. With the official end of support for Windows 10 set for October 2025, now might be a good time to upgrade to Windows 11 since there won’t be any new features or security updates for Windows 10 after that date.
Future Comparisons
It will be intriguing to see how Windows 11 25H2 stacks up against Linux/SteamOS. We already know that devices like the Lenovo Legion Go run better with SteamOS than with Windows. Thus, it will be interesting to find out whether the latest Windows 11 update has made any improvements in that area.
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