Box86 vs DXVK

Box86 runs 32-bit x86 Linux programs on Linux systems using other processor architectures, including ARM. It translates programs at runtime and connects them to native system libraries such as libc, libm, SDL, and OpenGL. The host must provide a 32-bit little-endian system or a 32-bit userspace subsystem; Box86 does not translate 32-bit programs for a 64-bit-only userspace. On ARM, its dynamic recompiler is described as providing a 5 to 10 times speed boost over the interpreter. The project names WorldOfGoo, Airline Tycoon Deluxe, FTL, and several GameMaker Linux games as examples that run, and links to a GitHub issue list for compatibility information. Wine is supported, though many games require graphics drivers. Steam can run with Box86 but also needs Box64 to be fully usable and uses substantial memory. Vulkan wrapping requires a 32-bit Vulkan driver; the Pi 4 Vulkan driver does not support DXVK. Box86 is the legacy 32-bit version of Box64 and is free under the MIT license, which provides the software as-is and disclaims warranties and liability.

DXVK is a Vulkan-based translation layer for running Direct3D 8, 9, 10, and 11 applications on Linux through Wine. DXVK Native can also run without Wine and is intended for game and application ports or port bring-up. The project provides release builds and links to recent development builds through GitHub; release packages include 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Steam Play, Lutris, Bottles, and Heroic Launcher can configure DXVK automatically when enabled. An optional HUD can display frame rate, frame times, GPU load, memory use, API feature level, and shader compiler activity. On supported drivers, Graphics Pipeline Library can compile Vulkan shaders as games load Direct3D shaders, reducing or eliminating shader compilation stutter in many games. Users can configure shader caching, logging, and GPU selection through environment variables or a configuration file. DXVK is free under the zlib/libpng license and supports Linux and Windows. It requires a sufficiently recent Vulkan driver. The project warns that modifying Direct3D libraries in multiplayer games may be considered cheating and could result in an account ban.