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Bazzite vs. Bluefin (GNOME): Technical Comparison Report

Executive Summary​

This report details the technical differences between @ublue-os/bazzite and @ublue-os/bluefin GNOME editions. Both share a Fedora Silverblue OCI base but differ in kernel selection, package composition, and system configuration. Bluefin targets developer workstations while Bazzite focuses on gaming and HTPC use cases.

Kernel & Hardware Enablement​

ComponentBluefinBazzite
KernelFedora Stable (kernel, kernel-core)Custom (kernel-bazzite)
SourceUpstream FedoraDerived from kernel-fsync
PatchesStandard Fedora patchsetfutex2, winesync, fsync
SchedulingCFS (Completely Fair Scheduler)Supports sched-ext (scx-scheds, scx-tools)
ZFSSupported (via akmods-zfs)Not included
Extra Modulesxone, openrazer, framework-laptop, v4l2loopbackxone, openrazer, framework-laptop, v4l2loopback, cpulimit, ryzenadj

Bazzite's kernel includes patches for handheld gaming devices (Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Legion Go). Bluefin uses the upstream Fedora kernel.

Package Management & Repositories​

Both distributions use rpm-ostree with different package sets and COPR repositories.

Bluefin​

  • Base Packages: Standard Fedora workstation set plus tailscale, just, ptyxis.
  • COPRs: ublue-os/packages, che/nerd-fonts.
  • Additions:
    • bluefin-schemas, bluefin-backgrounds, bluefin-faces: Branding and configuration.
    • ublue-brew: Homebrew integration.
    • Development tools: git-credential-libsecret, python3-pip, make, gcc.

Bazzite​

  • Base Packages: Modified Fedora set for gaming.
  • COPRs: bazzite-org/bazzite, bazzite-org/bazzite-multilib, ublue-os/staging, hhd-dev/hhd, lizardbyte/beta, ycollet/audinux.
  • Gaming Packages:
    • Game launchers: steam, lutris, heroic-games-launcher-bin.
    • Performance layers: gamescope, mangohud, vkbasalt.
    • Streaming: sunshine, moonlight.
    • Recording: obs-studio, obs-vkcapture.
  • External Repos: Terra (Mesa drivers), Negativo17 (Steam/multimedia), RPM Fusion (codecs).
  • Drivers: Proprietary NVIDIA drivers on -nvidia images, AMD ROCm support.

Desktop Environment Configuration (GNOME)​

Display Manager​

  • Bluefin: GDM (GNOME Display Manager).
  • Bazzite GNOME: GDM on desktop images.
  • Bazzite Deck: SDDM on handheld images for gamescope-session.

GNOME Extensions​

Bluefin Extensions (shipped via git submodules):

  • appindicatorsupport@rgcjonas.gmail.com - System tray icons
  • blur-my-shell@aunetx - Shell blur effects
  • caffeine@eonpatapon - Prevent auto-suspend
  • dash-to-dock@micxgx.gmail.com - Persistent dock
  • gsconnect@andyholmes.github.io - Android integration
  • logomenu@aryan_k - Bluefin logo in top bar
  • search-light@icedman.github.com - Spotlight-like search

Bazzite Extensions (built from bazzite-gnome-extensions repo):

  • user-theme@gnome-shell-extensions.gcampax.github.com - Custom shell themes
  • gsconnect@andyholmes.github.io - Android integration
  • appindicatorsupport@rgcjonas.gmail.com - System tray icons
  • Additional gaming-specific extensions (hardware-dependent)

GNOME Settings (GSettings Overrides)​

Bazzite Specific (zz0-*-bazzite-desktop-silverblue-*.gschema.override):

[org.gnome.mutter]
experimental-features=['variable-refresh-rate', 'scale-monitor-framebuffer', 'xwayland-native-scaling']
check-alive-timeout=uint32 20000

[org.gnome.software]
allow-updates=false
download-updates=false
download-updates-notify=false

[org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings]
switch-applications=['<Super>Tab']
switch-applications-backward=['<Shift><Super>Tab']
switch-windows=['<Alt>Tab']
switch-windows-backward=['<Shift><Alt>Tab']

Bluefin Specific:

  • Packaged via bluefin-schemas RPM from ublue-os/packages COPR.
  • Enables dash-to-dock, appindicator, blur-my-shell by default.
  • Sets Inter (UI) and JetBrains Mono (monospace) as system fonts.

System Services & Daemons​

Bazzite includes hardware control daemons not present in Bluefin.

ServiceDescriptionBazziteBluefin
hhd.serviceHandheld Daemon (controller support)EnabledNot included
steamos-manager.serviceSteamOS hardware managerEnabled (global)Not included
sunshineGame streaming hostPre-installedNot included
wireplumber-workaround.serviceAudio latency optimizationEnabledNot included
pipewire-workaround.serviceAudio stability fixesEnabledNot included
bazzite-autologin.serviceAuto-login for deck modeEnabledNot included
tailscaledTailscale VPN meshPre-installedPre-installed
ublue-brew-setupHomebrew initializationEnabledEnabled
podmanContainer runtimeDefaultDefault

Disabled Services in Bazzite:

  • uupd.timer - Update notifier (replaced with custom logic)
  • input-remapper.service - Disabled by default
  • jupiter-* services - Steam Deck services (disabled on non-Deck hardware)

Repository Priority Configuration​

Bluefin​

  • Fedora repos: Standard priority
  • ublue-os/packages COPR: High priority for branding packages
  • Tailscale: Disabled by default, enabled on-demand
  • No Mesa overrides

Bazzite​

  • bazzite-org/bazzite COPR: Priority 1
  • Terra repos: Priority 3 (Mesa drivers)
  • Negativo17: Priority 4 (Steam, multimedia)
  • RPM Fusion: Priority 5 (codecs, drivers)
  • Fedora: Excludes Mesa, kernel packages

Package Exclusions​

Bluefin Removes:​

  • firefox, firefox-langpacks (replaced with Flatpak)
  • gnome-software (replaced or removed depending on Fedora version)
  • gnome-terminal-nautilus (uses Ptyxis)
  • podman-docker
  • fedora-chromium-config-gnome

Bazzite Removes:​

  • firefox, firefox-langpacks (replaced with Flatpak)
  • gnome-software
  • gnome-terminal-nautilus
  • podman-docker
  • nvidia-gpu-firmware (on NVIDIA builds)
  • rocm-* packages (on NVIDIA builds)

Build Process Differences​

Bluefin​

  • Sources GNOME extensions via git submodules (versioned, pinned)
  • Builds extensions using build-gnome-extensions.sh from projectbluefin/common
  • Uses Fedora kernel directly
  • Minimal systemd unit modifications

Bazzite​

  • Sources GNOME extensions from bazzite-gnome-extensions repository
  • Custom kernel build from ghcr.io/bazzite-org/kernel-bazzite:latest
  • NVIDIA driver build from ghcr.io/bazzite-org/nvidia-drivers:latest
  • Systemd unit customization for hardware support

NVIDIA Driver Handling​

Bluefin​

  • Uses akmods-nvidia-open from upstream
  • Installs via standard ublue-os/main NVIDIA script
  • Kernel args: rd.driver.blacklist=nouveau, modprobe.blacklist=nouveau, nvidia-drm.modeset=1

Bazzite​

  • Uses custom-built NVIDIA drivers from bazzite-org/nvidia-drivers
  • Removes nouveau_icd.*.json
  • Installs egl-wayland and egl-wayland2 (both x86_64 and i686)
  • Links libnvidia-ml.so for monitoring tools

Conclusion​

Bluefin follows upstream Fedora closely with added developer tooling and UI polish. Bazzite uses a custom kernel and gaming-focused package set. Users requiring standard Fedora kernel behavior and ZFS support should use Bluefin. Users requiring fsync kernel patches, VRR support, or handheld hardware enablement should use Bazzite.

References​