From PC to Living Room Gaming: Experience with Framework Desktop and Linux

Framework Desktop and Linux have opened a new path for me to PC gaming at home. Dreaming of playing on a single platform that is easy to upgrade and allows me to run my Steam library anywhere, I searched for the perfect solution. The Steam Deck is a fantastic portable device, but for the living room, I needed something more powerful that would work well both on the TV and at the desk. Experiments with gaming laptops and desktop PCs often fell short — laptops are loud and uncomfortable, while large PCs and Windows are difficult to use without a keyboard and mouse. The failure of Valve's Steam Machine confirmed that nothing is simpler than PlayStation 5. However, I became more optimistic and, within a few weeks, set up Framework Desktop along with the Bazzite Linux distribution, an open version of SteamOS. This is similar to installing the gaming mode of the Steam Deck and the Proton layer for running Windows games with the ability to switch to desktop mode. The setup took less than an hour, and now I can play PC games on the TV in 4K/60fps on a device smaller than the PS5, which is quiet and wakes up from the couch using a gamepad. This combination of the simplicity of the Steam Deck dock and power is perfect for home use. While Framework Desktop is not as portable as handheld devices or laptops, it is easy to move from room to room. During the day, I work at my desk, and in the evening, I move it to the living room for gaming. Sometimes, a change of scenery is nice. I dream of this being the future of PC gaming — a year of Linux on the desktop in the living room. Framework Desktop is the ideal platform for an experience similar to the Steam Machine. With a volume of 4.5 liters, it is more compact than most gaming PCs for living rooms and more powerful than most home media centers. Although it is more expensive than the PS5 Pro (starting at $1099, with the top AI Max+ 395 version costing $1999 with 16 CPU cores, 40 graphics cores, and 128 GB of RAM), it significantly outperforms gaming consoles in potential. I became fascinated with Framework Desktop back in August when I started using it as a full-fledged Windows PC. Bazzite is one of the easiest and most user-friendly Linux distributions, making it easier to move away from Windows if you want to avoid Microsoft or want to escape Windows 10 and 11 updates. The installation is quite simple, providing a full OS for mouse and keyboard use, and dual-booting with Windows is possible if needed. I installed it on a second NVMe drive to keep the system partitions separate for work and gaming. This reduces the risk of boot issues after Windows updates. With the official guide from Bazzite and Framework, I was in Linux within an hour. The ISO installation can be done via Rufus, and Mike's video tutorials on YouTube are very helpful. The only technical issue was the lack of sound through HDMI on the TV. I resolved it by switching to desktop mode and changing the audio source. In Framework Desktop, it's easy to change the boot order to launch Bazzite by default. There is also a script for rebooting in Windows directly from the Steam interface, which is very convenient. While Linux and Framework Desktop won't fully replace my gaming PC, especially due to compatibility with some games (Fortnite, Valorant, PC Game Pass), I am very satisfied with Bazzite and this solution. Perhaps Steam Machines will make a comeback — and that time has come. In terms of performance, Framework Desktop can run games at 2.5K, and the top Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 allows for 4K gaming at 60 fps. Here are a few examples:

• Cyberpunk 2077: 4K/60fps on medium settings, with FSR and frame generation — up to 80 fps.
• Helldivers 2: 4K/60fps on medium settings.
• Street Fighter 6: stable 1080p/60fps, with the possibility to boost to 4K at 60 fps.
• Monster Hunter Wilds: a demanding game, but with FSR and medium textures, it holds 70-80 fps.
• Elden Ring Nightreign: 4K/50 fps on medium settings or 2.5K/60 fps.
• Peak: 4K/medium settings with over 80 fps.