Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Which is best for gaming?
Microsoft hails Windows 11 as the best Windows operating system, but users don't seem to believe that. After all, it has been almost three years since it was first released, yet it hasn't managed to capture even 30% of the market share globally. According to StatCounter, as much as 66% of global computers are still running Windows 10, and that is saying a lot.
In this article, I'm going to analyze various aspects of the two Windows versions and test their performance in games to give you a final answer about which is better for gaming.
Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and reflect the writer's opinions.
Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Features, user experience, gaming performance, and more compared
When Windows 11 launched with a new UI, it became a controversial subject thanks to some drastic UI changes. Some users loved the new Start menu, context menu, and more, but others didn't feel the same way.
A few users were also surprised by the announcement, considering Microsoft said Windows 10 would be the last version of Windows, and yet its successor is here. Let's compare the two versions, starting with their features.
Features
Here are some major features of Windows 11 and Windows 10:
User experience
Windows 11 comes with a lot of new and improved features that make the user experience a lot better. This UI design feels like a fresh new coat of paint that looks more coherent with other parts of the operating system. Features like tabs in the Windows Explorer program and snap layouts make it easier for newcomers to quickly get around the operating system.
It has better gaming features and will have compatibility with future devices. The Windows update system also works more seamlessly with fewer user interruptions. Windows 11 is clearly ready for the future, but is not as polished as its predecessor.
Windows 10 is more polished and stable because it hasn't received any significant changes or new features in the last two years. There's no active feature development for Windows 10, which can be considered good or bad. It is good in the sense that it is quite stable and will continue to be so since major parts of this older OS are not being changed through updates.
On the contrary, Windows 11 is constantly updating and changing, so it's not as stable as its predecessor. Stability is one of the reasons why many gamers are still reluctant to move to the new operating system. Those who want the most stability and no changes in their operating system choose Windows 10.
According to Steam hardware survey results, 49.42% of gamers are still on Windows 10, but its successor isn't too far behind either and has 46.63% of the market share. It seems newer gaming features of its successor are certainly inviting more gamers.
Besides that, Intel's newer 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen processors need Windows 11 to take full advantage of their performance. Thread Director is a component of Intel's processor that maintains the P and E-core system of new Intel processors. However, it is only available in Windows 11.
Gaming performance
It's time we check out some gaming benchmarks of the two operating systems to see which is better. For this gaming test, I'm concentrating on multiplayer titles since they are more CPU-dependent and can better judge the operating system's effect on games.
Any sudden changes to these OS' background tasks could put undue load on the chipset, causing issues in CPU-dependent games and lowering their FPS.
Note: These games were run at 1440p. Both operating systems were freshly installed on the same system to eliminate system-to-system variation and other issues.
Here's how Windows 10 and 11 perform in modern games in 2024:
As you can see, Windows 11 is better for a high refresh rate competitive gaming experience since it can hit those higher FPS targets. However, as I mentioned, Windows 11 is not as stable as its predecessor, so the 1% Lows can be a bit lower in certain games.
Compatibility
Windows 10 is compatible with any machine that supports Windows 7 and above, which makes it perfect for older systems. However, Windows 11 requires a newer CPU, TPM 2.0, and even Secure Boot to install, and older systems don't have all of these requirements.
Longevity
Longevity is where Windows 11 wins hands down. It's the latest product, so it will continue to be updated and maintained for a long time. Windows 10 was released in 2015, and its support will end in 2025. After that, no new updates, including security updates, will be released for this operating system.
On the other hand, Windows 11 was released in 2021, so it should be supported until 2031 if Microsoft follows its previous footsteps of delivering 10 years of support.
Who should use Windows 11?
Users who want the newest features and the best user experience should use Windows 11. Even gamers should use Windows 11, especially if they play competitive gaming on high refresh rate monitors.
Also, if you are on a newer CPU like Intel's 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen processors, you must use Windows 11 to take full advantage of their performance. That's because they needs Intel's Thread Director component to maintain the Intel processor's P and E-core system, which is only available in Windows 11.
Who should use Windows 10?
If you want the best stability in the operating system and games, you should use Windows 10. It is also perfect for older systems that don't support Windows 11. Gamers may also choose to use Windows 10 since its 1% Lows in gaming is better than the new version in many titles.
Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Final verdict
Windows 11 is the best operating system for gaming since it provides higher FPS in competitive games. It is also a requirement in newer CPUs from Intel. It has new gaming features that will be used in titles released in the next few years. Essentially, it's the Windows of the future, whereas Windows 10 will officially go out of support next year.