Bazzite Linux Gaming on Ryzen 9 7945HX: Building the Ultimate Console PC Experience

Bazzite Gaming Revolution: Transforming a Mini-ITX Beast into a Linux Gaming Console

The Dawn of Desktop Gaming Consoles: When PC Hardware Meets Console Simplicity

Picture this: the raw power of a 16-core Ryzen processor, the graphics prowess of a modern RDNA 4 GPU, all wrapped in a console-like interface that boots straight into your game library. No Windows updates interrupting your gaming session. No driver hunting. No bloatware. Just pure, unadulterated gaming performance. This is the promise of Bazzite, an open source Linux distribution that is designed as an alternative to Valve's SteamOS 3. Bazzite is based on Fedora Linux rather than Arch Linux, and today we're exploring what happens when you install it on a compact powerhouse that redefines what Linux gaming can be.

Understanding Bazzite: More Than Just Another Linux Distribution

Before diving into the gaming experience, it's crucial to understand what makes Bazzite special in the increasingly crowded landscape of gaming-focused Linux distributions. Bazzite is named after the mineral, as Fedora Atomic Desktops once had a mineral naming scheme. It aims to deliver a seamless out-of-the-box experience for both casual and advanced Linux gamers.

The Fedora Foundation

Bazzite is a custom image built upon Fedora Atomic Desktops that brings the best of Linux gaming to all of your devices. This foundation brings several key advantages:

• Immutable base system: Uses the bazzite kernel to achieve HDR and expanded hardware support, among numerous other included patches - based off of the fsync kernel

• Atomic updates: System updates either succeed completely or roll back automatically

• Container-based customization: The team is utilizing the Open Container Initiative (OCI) to build the images, and are adding packages, services, and kernel modules to existing Fedora operating systems

• Automatic rollbacks: Boot into previous versions if updates cause issues

The Steam Deck DNA

What truly sets Bazzite apart is its implementation of Steam's Game Mode, originally developed for the Steam Deck. Includes Valve's KDE themes from SteamOS, and this isn't just a launcher—it's a complete gaming environment that includes:

• Controller-first navigation

• Integrated performance overlays

• Built-in frame limiting and FSR support

• Seamless game library management

• LatencyFleX, vkBasalt, MangoHud, and OBS VkCapture installed and available by default

Why Bazzite Over SteamOS?

SteamOS receives package and driver updates less frequently despite the rolling release base. Bazzite will follow Fedora's update release cycle which means early access to new graphics card driver and kernel updates in comparison to SteamOS. Additional advantages include:

• Broader hardware support: As of version 41 (based on Fedora 41), Bazzite supports "most x86_64 PCs from the last decade" as well as numerous gaming handhelds, including the Asus ROG Ally or the Lenovo Legion Go

• Desktop mode flexibility: Full Fedora desktop when needed

• Regular updates: System packages get updated on a weekly basis (not biannually like SteamOS)

• Community-driven development: Bazzite is a community effort and wouldn't exist without everyone's support

The Hardware Foundation: A Mini-ITX Monster

Our test system represents the cutting edge of compact computing power, carefully selected to showcase Bazzite's capabilities while maintaining a living room-friendly form factor.

AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX: Mobile Meets Desktop

The choice of the Ryzen 9 7945HX processor might raise eyebrows—why use a "mobile" chip in a desktop build? The AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX is a mobile processor with 16 cores, launched in January 2023. It is part of the Ryzen 9 lineup, using the Zen 4 (Dragon Range) architecture with Socket FL1.

Performance Specifications:

• Thanks to AMD Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) the core-count is effectively doubled, to 32 threads

• Ryzen 9 7945HX has 64 MB of L3 cache and operates at 2.5 GHz by default, but can boost up to 5.4 GHz, depending on the workload

• AMD is building the Ryzen 9 7945HX on a 5 nm production process using 13,140 million transistors

• With a TDP of 55 W, the Ryzen 9 7945HX consumes typical power levels for a modern PC

Sapphire RX 9060 XT: The Linux Champion

The Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB is a performance-segment graphics card by AMD, launched on June 4th, 2025. Built on the 4 nm process, and based on the Navi 44 graphics processor. This RDNA 4 architecture GPU brings:

Key Specifications:

• It features 2048 shading units, 128 texture mapping units, and 64 ROPs. The card also has 32 raytracing acceleration cores

• AMD has paired 16 GB GDDR6 memory with the Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB, which are connected using a 128-bit memory interface

• The GPU is operating at a frequency of 1700 MHz, which can be boosted up to 3130 MHz, memory is running at 2518 MHz (20.1 Gbps effective)

• AMD specifies 160W for the base model 9060 XT 16GB

The Supporting Cast

32GB DDR5 SODIMM: While SODIMM might seem unusual for a desktop, the BD795I SE provides a solid, future-proof base for your projects with space efficiency in Mini-ITX builds.

SilverStone SUGO 16: This Mini-ITX cube case offers:

• 23-liter volume

• Support for full-length GPUs

• Excellent ventilation design

• Living room-appropriate aesthetics

Installation Journey: From Bare Metal to Game Mode

Bazzite is based on Fedora and features an atomic update system (bootc), ensuring the previous update is always available if something goes wrong. The installation process has been refined to be as user-friendly as possible.

Pre-Installation Preparation

Before beginning, several considerations ensure smooth sailing:

1. UEFI Settings: full support for secure boot (Run ujust enroll-secure-boot-key and enter the password universalblue if prompted to enroll our key)

2. Storage Strategy: BTRFS is the default and recommended filesystem for Bazzite

3. Display Connection: HDMI or DisplayPort to your gaming display

The Installation Experience

The online installer enables installation on various devices like ASUS ROG Ally, Microsoft Surface, and Steam Deck, with or without NVIDIA drivers. The process is streamlined and focuses on getting you gaming quickly.

TV Gaming Optimisation: Making Bazzite Living Room Ready

One of this build's primary goals is creating a living room gaming experience that rivals traditional consoles. Wayland is used in desktop mode, ensuring correct scaling for high-DPI displays.

Display Configuration Features

Support for HDMI CEC via libCEC enables seamless TV integration, allowing your TV remote to control basic functions. The system handles:

• Automatic resolution detection

• Overscan compensation

• HDR passthrough where supported

• Variable refresh rate support

Controller Support Excellence

Boot up Steam's gaming mode and you can access all your games and performance settings without needing a keyboard, which is perfect for sitting on the couch and playing on a big TV. Bazzite includes:

• Input Remapper preinstalled and enabled

• Out of the box support for Wooting keyboards

• Comprehensive controller profiles

• Gyroscope support for compatible controllers

Gaming Performance: Real-World Experience

While specific benchmark numbers would require testing this exact hardware configuration, we can understand the gaming experience through documented capabilities and user reports.

Game Compatibility

Bazzite provides a gaming-focused Linux experience with out-of-the-box support for platforms like Steam, Lutris, and Heroic Games Launcher. The games tested in the video showcase diverse compatibility:

• Cyberpunk 2077: Tests ray tracing and DLSS alternatives

• Black Myth: Wukong: Demonstrates Unreal Engine 5 compatibility

• Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Native Linux support comparison

• Helldivers 2: Online multiplayer and anti-cheat functionality

• DOOM: The Dark Ages: Vulkan performance showcase

• Call of Duty: Black Ops: Retro gaming through Proton

Performance Characteristics

For AMD users, Linux can even offer a superior experience in many titles. Key factors include:

• When I tested Bazzite on the One XPlayer X1 Mini, I often felt that performance was better than it was on Windows, including in games such as Shadow of the Tomb Raider

• specific Linux distributions can match or even outperform it in certain titles, especially with AMD GPUs, offering superior frame pacing and reduced stutter

The AMD Advantage

In addition, since Bazzite ships the latest drivers, you can be sure that if your device can work in Linux, it will work in Bazzite. AMD's open-source driver model provides:

• Day-one hardware support

• Kernel-integrated drivers

• No proprietary driver installation needed

• Excellent Wayland support

Advanced Features and Optimisations

Bazzite goes beyond basic gaming functionality with numerous quality-of-life improvements:

System-Level Enhancements

• Uses Google's BBR TCP congestion control by default

• Automated duperemove service for reducing the disk space used by wine prefix contents

• Full hardware accelerated codec support for H264 decoding

• Full support for AMD's ROCM OpenCL/HIP run-times

Streaming and Content Creation

• Sunshine is pre-installed, allowing you to easily stream your games

• XwaylandVideoBridge is available for Discord screensharing on Wayland

• OBS with hardware acceleration support

Extended Platform Support

• Waydroid preinstalled for running Android apps

• Waydroid brings the Android apps and games you love to Bazzite, working side by side with your other Linux applications

• Webapp Manager is available for creating applications from websites

The Ecosystem: Software and Community

Bazzite is the largest community-driven Linux gaming operating system, featuring the latest Linux drivers, rich documentation, a large community, and a variety of flavors (DX, Gnome, KDE, and Deck).

Software Management

Bazzite utilizes the Bazaar app store, allowing for easy installation and management of all your favorite applications from Flathub and a curated list of apps we think you'll love. Additional tools include:

• Manage applications using Flatseal, Warehouse, and Gear Lever

• ProtonUp-Qt for managing Proton versions

• Built in container support means packages for any Linux distribution can be installed and used as if they were native applications

Community Support

The Bazzite community provides extensive resources:

• Active Discord server for real-time help

• Comprehensive documentation

• If you have a problem on Bazzite, rest assured you are not the first one, and you can easily find an answer in this documentation, Google, Discord, Discourse, or Reddit

Security and Maintenance

Bazzite supports LUKS Disk Encryption, Secure Boot, and TPM unlock of the encrypted disk. Bazzite also has SELinux (Security Enhanced Linux) enabled and pre-configured by default. This comprehensive security approach includes:

• Full disk encryption options

• Secure Boot support for dual-booting

• Automatic updates for the OS, Flatpaks, and all Distrobox containers - powered by ublue-update and topgrade

Future Outlook: The State of Linux Gaming

Bazzite has been praised by gaming and tech publications for its ease of use, performance and optimization for gaming hardware. Industry recognition includes:

• Forbes has been "recommending Bazzite because it's objectively better than Windows for [the ROG Ally]"

• According to XDA-Developers, "it's not only great for gaming handhelds, but even a desktop PC could be better off using Bazzite instead of Windows"

• Framework's CEO is declaring 2025 the year of the Linux gaming desktop, highlighting Bazzite

Conclusion: The Console PC Dream Realised

This Bazzite-powered Mini-ITX build achieves something remarkable: true console simplicity with PC performance and flexibility. The combination of the Ryzen 9 7945HX's 16-core processing might, the RX 9060 XT's RDNA 4 graphics prowess, and Bazzite's refined interface creates a gaming experience that challenges preconceptions about Linux gaming.

So would I build a real gaming rig with Linux? Yes! Not because of my love for Linux, more because the games that I play work with Bazzite. Whether you're playing the latest AAA releases or revisiting classics, Bazzite delivers an experience that rivals Windows while providing a more focused, privacy-respecting gaming environment.

We believe that 2025 is truly the year of the Linux Gaming Desktop. For those ready to experience gaming without Windows' constraints, this build proves that Linux gaming has not just caught up but is actively pushing ahead.

Experience the full journey from installation to gaming in the complete video guide, featuring real gameplay footage and detailed configuration walkthroughs.