That is known as progress: SteamOS began life as a light-weight Linux-based system constructed for Valve’s Steam Machines that by no means actually picked up steam (pun meant). Now, it powers the Steam Deck and numerous different handhelds. New benchmarks present that the gaming OS outperforms Home windows 11 on comparable {hardware}.
A current Ars Technica report examined 5 demanding PC video games on Lenovo’s Legion Go S handheld, working each Home windows 11 and the newest SteamOS. Normally, SteamOS delivered smoother gameplay and better body charges.
That is a big change from Valve’s early Steam Machines period, when the Linux-based OS typically lagged behind Home windows due to immature drivers and software program. This time, 4 of the 5 video games ran sooner on SteamOS – typically by a considerable margin. In a single case, enjoying Returnal at 1920×1200 on “Excessive” settings, SteamOS held a gentle 33 frames per second, whereas Home windows barely managed 18 FPS with Lenovo’s official drivers.
A part of that benefit comes from Valve’s Proton compatibility layer, which interprets Home windows recreation code into Linux directions. Proton and the SteamOS drivers have benefited from years of updates to assist Home windows video games run effectively. One other issue is SteamOS’ streamlining and deal with doing one factor – working video games – in contrast to Home windows, which regularly runs many background processes.
Ars additionally famous that Home windows gaming efficiency may very well be improved by manually putting in newer, unofficial AMD drivers – although most customers would not trouble.
“Sideloading the up to date Asus drivers confirmed a noticeable enchancment in Home windows efficiency throughout all examined video games and even introduced Homeworld 3’s ‘Low’ graphics benchmark take a look at to sensible parity with SteamOS,” Ars wrote.
Nevertheless, even with the manually put in drivers, SteamOS nonetheless got here out on prime.
In fact, Home windows nonetheless enjoys a lot wider recreation compatibility. Many video games merely will not run on SteamOS with out workarounds, and most producers design PC {hardware} with Home windows in thoughts. Nevertheless, on a handheld like Lenovo’s $599 Legion Go S – offered individually with both SteamOS or Home windows – patrons could respect that SteamOS gives a smoother expertise out of the field at a cheaper price.
Players as soon as dismissed SteamOS as an underdog, incapable of competing with the extra dominant bloatware out of Redmond. Nevertheless, Valve’s sustained work on Linux gaming is paying off. Ars Technica’s checks counsel that handheld players prepared to embrace SteamOS might take pleasure in higher recreation efficiency – with no tweaking required.
