Research finds SteamOS runs some games significantly better than Windows

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In a test conducted by Ars Technica on the Lenovo Go S, a unique device being the only one on the market capable of running both Windows and SteamOS without favoritism towards either, it was observed that SteamOS outperformed Windows in most gaming scenarios.

Among all the tests conducted, a single game didn’t demonstrate substantial improvements in performance while running on SteamOS compared to Windows. However, other games showed significant boosts in performance, ranging from 8% to 36%, merely by changing the operating system from Windows to SteamOS.

Swapping between Steam and Windows on a high-end desktop computer might not offer significant advantages. However, when it comes to handheld devices, even minor adjustments could lead to substantial improvements.

SteamOS is considerably more efficient than Windows

The Lenovo Go S offers a unique chance for a fair comparison between two operating systems, as it supports both SteamOS and Windows officially. This feature was previously hard to achieve during the competitive landscape of portable PCs.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve given both SteamOS and Valve’s Linux-based operating system a spin. Despite the challenges of translating Windows commands into something compatible with their new platform, SteamOS came out on top in my testing.

According to Ars Technica’s tests, there was a significant boost in performance for four out of the five games examined. However, Borderlands 3 performed better with Windows already running.

Returnal’s roguelike gameplay is a great fit for a PC handheld

On the other hand, it was Returnal that brought the most success for Valve, boosting its frames per second (FPS) from 26 to an impressive 47 – nearly doubling the initial rate – without any modifications to the hardware.

It’s important to note that while SteamOS is a viable option, it may not support all games. Additionally, Microsoft is developing a competitor in the same field, building an operating system specifically tailored for their ROG Ally model.

Speaking of which, Steam’s software is quite impressive in this aspect. Currently, it’s not straightforward to install SteamOS on a regular desktop computer, but with sufficient consumer interest, Valve might consider resuming their work on console or pre-built PC projects in the future.

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2025-06-26 23:19