ROG Ally X vs Steam Deck: Up to 20% Performance Boost with SteamOS 3.8 at Same TDP; Unlock Extra Performance with Plugin

The launch of SteamOS 3.8 marks a pivotal moment for handheld gaming devices beyond the Steam Deck, particularly highlighting the capabilities of the ROG Ally X, which outperforms the Steam Deck with ease.

Performance Insights: ROG Ally X Surpasses Steam Deck with SteamOS 3.8

The introduction of SteamOS 3.8 has sparked excitement among gamers, especially regarding its performance enhancements on popular gaming handhelds such as the ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion S. Recent demonstrations have indicated that with SteamOS 3.8, the ROG Ally X not only matches but significantly exceeds the Steam Deck’s performance. Notably, ETA Prime has revealed impressive performance gains achieved through a plugin.

ROG Ally X SteamOS 3.8 — Credit: ETA Prime

Instead of a marginal increase of 4-5%, the ROG Ally X showcases a remarkable performance leap of up to 20% compared to the Steam Deck based on identical Thermal Design Power (TDP) settings. Although SteamOS 3.8 does not natively support TDP range adjustments for the ROG Ally X, a plugin named “SimpleDeckyTDP”allows for an expansive range from 4W to 40W. In its standard mode, the ROG Ally X operates at 18W.

To create a fair comparison, ETA Prime set the ROG Ally X’s TDP limit to 15W, matching the Steam Deck. Under these conditions, the ROG Ally X consistently outperformed the Steam Deck by approximately 10%.For instance, in the demanding game Cyberpunk 2077, the ROG Ally X achieved 53 frames per second (FPS), while the Steam Deck managed only 44 FPS, resulting in a 20% performance advantage.

Steam Deck OLED vs ROG Ally X Cyberpunk 2077 SteamOS 3.8 — Credit: ETA Prime

In other game tests, such as Black Myth: Wukong and Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the ROG Ally X achieved performance boosts of 12% and 10% respectively. Although there are instances, such as in Monster Hunter Wilds, where the ROG Ally X doesn’t match the Steam Deck’s performance—most likely due to a lack of optimization for SteamOS on that title—the overall outlook is promising.

Regarding the potential of ROG Ally X at higher TDP levels, while ETA Prime did not provide specific data for the 40W mode, we can expect substantially elevated performance. The possibility of achieving 60 FPS in gaming through advanced upscaling and frame generation techniques coupled with the device’s robust 80Wh battery life makes it an enticing option for gaming enthusiasts. Moving forward, there is anticipation for SteamOS 3.8 to be implemented on even faster handheld devices utilizing Strix Point and Lunar Lake APUs.

SteamOS 3.8 On ROG Ally X Is So GOOD! Faster Than We Thought! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZa3OGv3WCM)

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