CobaltX is a gaming-focused Arch-based Linux distribution built around KDE Plasma 6 and a preinstalled Linux gaming stack.
It ships with the linux-zen kernel, Mesa and Vulkan support for Intel and AMD graphics, pacman and AUR access, and common gaming tools including Steam, Heroic Games Launcher, Bottles, Lutris, Wine, RetroArch, MangoHud, and GameMode. The distribution targets x86_64 UEFI systems and aims to provide a ready-to-use desktop for playing native Linux games, Proton titles, retro games, and Windows software through compatibility layers.
Key Features
- Arch-based distribution with rolling release packages, pacman, and AUR access.
- KDE Plasma 6 desktop with custom CobaltX theming.
- linux-zen kernel for improved responsiveness in desktop and gaming workloads.
- Preinstalled gaming stack including Steam, Heroic Games Launcher, Bottles, Lutris, Wine, RetroArch, MangoHud, and GameMode.
- UEFI boot support with systemd-boot and a graphical installation process.
| Working state: | Active |
| Desktop: | KDE Plasma |
| Init Software: | systemd |
| Package Management: | Pacman |
| Release Model: | Rolling |
| Platforms: | x86_64 |
| Home Page: | mrdomination.github.io/cobaltx |
| Developer: | MrDomination |
| This article is part of our Big List of Active Linux Distributions. |
What's a Linux distribution ("distro")? |
| A distro provides the user with a desktop environment, preloaded applications, and ways to update and maintain the system. Each distro makes different choices, deciding which open source projects to install and provides custom written programs. They can have different philosophies. Some distros are intended for desktop computers, some for servers without a graphical interface, and others for special uses. Because Linux is an open source operating system, combinations of software vary between Linux distros. |