"With this release, NVIDIA has managed to increase the overall gaming performance under Linux, " said Doug Lombardi, vice president of marketing at Valve.

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OtherOS enabled the machine to run Linux, the alternative operating system to Microsoft Windows and Apple OS. Running Linux essentially turned the PS3 from a single-purpose gaming console into a desktop computer, which people could use to write programs.

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Available for download at www.geforce.com, the new R310 drivers were also thoroughly tested with Steam for Linux, the extension of Valve's phenomenally popular Steam gaming platform that officially opened to gamers starting today.

ENGADGET: NVIDIA gets a little help from Valve, tweaks GeForce drivers just as Steam for Linux beta launches

Most Linux enthusiasts will tell you the only reason they still use Windows is for gaming.

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Linux, its proponents argue, is the last, best hope for open gaming.

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