Windows 8 Outperforming Ubuntu Linux With Intel OpenGL Graphics

When running the demanding Xonotic game at 1366 x 768 with low quality settings, Windows 8 came out with a sharp lead over Ubuntu 13.04. Windows 8 with its Intel 3D driver was more than 10% faster than the Linux driver.

After switching to high quality visuals, the Linux OpenGL performance for this Ivy Bridge Ultrabook nearly matched that of Windows 8.

Next, Xonotic pushed the hardware to its max with the ultimate and ultra visual settings. With these more intense settings, Windows 8 and its Intel driver was regaining ground against the Intel Linux configuration. It also appears that there's a noticeable regression for the latest "Git" state of the Intel Linux driver with these more demanding settings or that on the newer Mesa code more of the advanced OpenGL functionality is finally being implemented properly.