How to Configure Gaming Settings with Cinnamon Desktop on Linux Mint

Linux Mint, particularly with the Cinnamon desktop environment, is an excellent choice for gaming. It provides a balance between performance, aesthetics, and user-friendliness. However, to get the best gaming experience, you need to configure your settings properly. This guide will walk you through the essential tweaks and optimizations to make Linux Mint with Cinnamon a solid gaming platform.

1. Update Your System

Before making any changes, ensure your system is up to date. Running outdated packages can lead to compatibility issues and performance bottlenecks.

Open the terminal and run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This command updates your package lists and installs available upgrades.

2. Install Essential Gaming Drivers

Hardware drivers significantly impact gaming performance. Linux Mint usually detects and installs the best available drivers, but you can manually verify and update them.

For NVIDIA GPUs:

1. Open Driver Manager from the Linux Mint menu.
2. Select the recommended proprietary NVIDIA driver.
3. Click Apply Changes and restart your system.

Alternatively, install drivers via the terminal:

sudo apt install nvidia-driver-<version>

Replace <version> with the recommended driver version.

For AMD GPUs:

AMD drivers are included in the Linux kernel, but you can install the latest Mesa drivers for better performance:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kisak/kisak-mesa
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

For Intel GPUs:

Intel drivers are built into the Linux kernel, so no additional installation is needed. However, updating the Mesa drivers (as shown above) can help improve performance.

3. Enable Performance Mode

Set CPU Performance Governor

By default, Linux may use a power-saving CPU governor, which isn’t ideal for gaming. To switch to a performance mode:

sudo apt install cpufrequtils

Check the current governor:

cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_governor

Set the CPU governor to performance:

sudo cpufreq-set -g performance

To make this setting persist across reboots, add the command to /etc/rc.local or use a systemd service.

4. Optimize Cinnamon for Gaming

The Cinnamon desktop is feature-rich but can consume system resources. Here’s how to optimize it for gaming:

Disable Unnecessary Visual Effects

1. Go to System Settings > Effects.
2. Disable all unnecessary effects, especially Window Animations and Transparency.

Reduce Background Processes

• Use System Monitor to identify resource-heavy processes.
• Disable startup applications that aren’t essential:
  • Open System Settings > Startup Applications.
  • Remove or disable unnecessary entries.

Enable Fullscreen Performance Mode

You can force Cinnamon to minimize background processing when running fullscreen applications:

gsettings set org.cinnamon.settings-daemon.plugins.xrandr active false

5. Install Gaming Software

Steam

Steam is the most popular gaming platform on Linux. To install it:

sudo apt install steam

Once installed, enable Proton for better compatibility with Windows games:

1. Open Steam > Settings > Steam Play.
2. Enable Steam Play for all titles and select the latest Proton version.

Lutris

Lutris is a game manager that helps run Windows games and other launchers:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:lutris-team/lutris
sudo apt update
sudo apt install lutris

Use Lutris to manage Epic Games Launcher, Battle.net, and other gaming platforms.

Wine and DXVK

Wine allows you to run Windows games on Linux. DXVK improves DirectX performance:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install wine-stable winetricks dxvk

6. Enable Game Mode for Performance Boost

GameMode is a tool developed by Feral Interactive to optimize system settings during gameplay. Install it with:

sudo apt install gamemode

Enable it by launching games with:

gamemoded -r

For Steam, add gamemoderun %command% to launch options.

7. Tweak Graphics Settings

Vulkan for Better Performance

Vulkan is a modern graphics API that outperforms OpenGL in many cases. Install Vulkan support:

sudo apt install vulkan-tools

Verify Vulkan support:

vulkaninfo | less

Most modern games support Vulkan, and using it can improve frame rates.

NVIDIA Settings Optimization

If you have an NVIDIA GPU, optimize settings using:

nvidia-settings

Adjust the following:

• Enable Force Full Composition Pipeline to reduce screen tearing.
• Set PowerMizer Mode to Prefer Maximum Performance.

8. Improve Input Latency and Audio Performance

Enable Low-Latency Kernel

For smoother gameplay and reduced input lag, install a low-latency kernel:

sudo apt install linux-lowlatency

Reboot and select the low-latency kernel from the GRUB menu.

Optimize PulseAudio for Gaming

1. Open /etc/pulse/daemon.conf:

sudo nano /etc/pulse/daemon.conf

2. Add or modify the following lines:

default-fragments = 2
default-fragment-size-msec = 5

3. Restart PulseAudio:

pulseaudio -k && pulseaudio --start

This reduces audio latency for a better gaming experience.

9. Monitor Performance

Use system monitoring tools to track CPU, GPU, and RAM usage.

Install MangoHud for FPS Monitoring

sudo apt install mangohud

Launch games with:

mangohud %command%

This displays real-time performance statistics while gaming.

10. Enable Swap File for Better Memory Management

If you have limited RAM, a swap file can help prevent crashes:

sudo fallocate -l 4G /swapfile
sudo chmod 600 /swapfile
sudo mkswap /swapfile
sudo swapon /swapfile

Add it to /etc/fstab to make it permanent:

/swapfile none swap sw 0 0

Final Thoughts

With these optimizations, Linux Mint with Cinnamon can deliver a smooth gaming experience. Whether you’re playing native Linux games, Steam titles, or running Windows games via Wine, these tweaks will help you maximize performance. Linux gaming has come a long way, and with the right setup, it can be just as good as gaming on Windows. Happy gaming!