Five recent games run faster on SteamOS than Windows 11 in new test

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Today, a report from Ars Technica shows that some games perform better on SteamOS compared to Windows 11, marking an important achievement for the developing operating system, which has faced challenges competing with Windows historically. The testing was carried out on a Lenovo Legion Go S, a device that can run both systems. In their tests, Ars Technica examined five cutting-edge 3D games released in the last five years: Cyberpunk 2077, Doom: The Dark Ages, Returnal, Borderlands 3, and Homeworld 3.

SteamOS vs Windows 11, the new operating system finally takes a win over the titan

The test spanned two scenarios: one featuring high graphics settings and another with low settings. In four out of five games, SteamOS managed a higher average frames per second (FPS) on both. Interestingly, Borderlands 3 performed slightly better on Windows than on SteamOS regarding FPS. Since most players are currently using Steam for Windows, and many games aren’t compatible with SteamOS due to multiple reasons, this is a notable achievement. However, Valve needs to invest more effort into making SteamOS user-friendly for everyone to access conveniently.

In terms of where it might become more significant in a shorter timeframe, that could very well be within the expanding market for handheld gaming devices, which are currently experiencing high demand. This is evident from the record-breaking sales figures of the Nintendo Switch 2, setting a new benchmark as the fastest-selling console launch in U.S. history. The Steam Deck also continues to thrive, consistently leading the Steam sales charts, and Microsoft has just entered the fray with their newly announced Asus ROG Xbox Ally, unveiled earlier this month.

Ars Technica highlights an important benefit of SteamOS compared to Windows: “Running SteamOS reduces a significant amount of the operating system’s extra load that is default in more versatile systems like Windows.” It also mentions that Microsoft acknowledges this for gaming-focused devices, as they plan to minimize background activities and postpone non-critical tasks with the new Asus ROG Xbox Ally, which will enhance game performance.

Looking ahead, it’s intriguing to contemplate how SteamOS might develop and influence other operating systems such as Windows, causing them to modify and adapt accordingly. SteamOS doesn’t aim to be a versatile system like Windows in the near future, but gaming will continue to thrive. Xbox and Microsoft have noticed an uptick in services like Game Pass and PC users, while experiencing a decline in hardware sales. Given this trend, it’s only logical for them to focus on the remaining promising sector.

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2025-06-27 02:32