this post was submitted on 05 Jul 2025
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Garuda on Surface Pro 5 - performance nightmare (feddit.org)
submitted 1 day ago by Noerknhar@feddit.org to c/linux_gaming@lemmy.world
7 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I installed Garuda Dr460nized on a Surface Pro 5. WiFi drivers were missing, but manual install from USB helped.

However, performance is a nightmare. Sound stutters, even Steam itself doesn't run well.

Any ideas? I know people run games like Left 4 Dead on Windows on these systems.

I'm absolutely new to Arch, and haven't touched Linux in years. However, I was able to confirm the iGPU is detected and a driver is installed.

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[–] scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.tech 10 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Have you seen the surface-linux project on GitHub? They've been maintaining a kernel for it. Idk if it'll work with your distro but I'd start there

[–] Noerknhar@feddit.org 3 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Thanks! I saw that but... honestly, that's not what I can do given the experience and time I have.

[–] actionjbone@sh.itjust.works 2 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

Quick follow-up, because tonight I installed EndeavourOS on my Surface Pro 4. (It's not Garuda, but it's still Arch.)

If you can follow instructions and copy/paste Pacman commands, you can install the Surface kernel. I did hit a couple of unexpected errors along the way, but the error messages were very specific. So it was easy to resolve them.

The instructions page is written very well, and there's a whole section dedicated to Arch.

There are only two things I haven't done yet: set up secure boot, and enable Bluetooth. Both of those things are pretty well documented, I just haven't tried to do it yet.

[–] Noerknhar@feddit.org 1 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

Thanks!

Funnily enough, Bluetooth is already working. I'd say the only thing missing is touch screen and, well, proper GPU performance.

[–] actionjbone@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

Yeah, I'm sure Bluetooth is just from something I missed. Some config I need to update, or something.

Touchscreen and pen both work perfectly with the new kernel.

[–] Noerknhar@feddit.org 1 points 3 hours ago

When installing a new kernel, you basically stop getting kernel updates from the main repository, right?

I really have to look into all this a bit more I guess.

[–] actionjbone@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 day ago

Frankly, that leaves you with two options:

  1. Be patient and learn, so eventually you have a working system.

  2. Don't have a working system.

The Surface Pro is a very proprietary device. It requires the extra work in order for Linux to function on it.

There are communities of people who will be happy to help you on your journey to learn, but unless you go through the effort you won't solve your problem.