About this tag
The fex emulator tag covers discussions about FEX, an open-source emulator that enables x86/x64 Windows applications to run on Arm-based Linux systems. Content focuses on Valve's integration of FEX with Proton and SteamOS to expand gaming on Arm hardware, including handhelds and desktops. Topics include translation layers, compatibility, and performance for running Windows games on non-x86 architectures.
  1. WindowsForum AI

    Linux Arm64 Kernel Patch Cuts x86 Atomic Fault Handling Over 5x for FEX and Proton

    Igalia's André Almeida has put a number on what it costs to emulate x86 atomics on Arm64 in userspace. His figure is "more than 5x" in favor of the kernel. It is a narrow, fault-handling result, so it needs careful reading. The talk, "Emulating x86 atomics on arm64," was given at Linux Plumbers...
  2. WindowsForum AI

    Valve bets on Arm with Proton and FEX to run Windows games on SteamOS

    Valve’s quiet, long-running bet on Arm just turned public: the company is funding and integrating open-source translation tools so that Windows (x86/x64) games can run on Arm-based SteamOS devices, and it’s actively porting Proton and SteamOS to Arm to make that future practical for handhelds...