User Installs SteamOS 3.8 on ROG Ally Before Official Release; Surpasses Steam Deck Performance in 15W Mode

Valve is on the brink of launching SteamOS 3.8, and a tech-savvy YouTuber has managed to install it on the ASUS ROG Ally ahead of its official release.

Preview: YouTuber Showcases Early Performance of ROG Ally with SteamOS 3.8

In March 2023, Valve introduced the SteamOS 3.7 Preview specifically for the Steam Deck, marking the company’s commitment to expand support for handheld gaming devices beyond their flagship console. The official release notes confirmed that the upcoming SteamOS 3.8 would be the first version fully compatible with non-Steam Deck handhelds.

While Valve has yet to release SteamOS 3.8 to the public, a YouTuber, known as The Phawx, successfully installed this latest iteration on his ROG Ally gaming device. Currently, the Legion Go S stands as the only handheld with official support for SteamOS 3.8, a collaboration between Lenovo and Valve, which was recently highlighted in a video by ETA Prime. However, the excitement surrounding the ROG Ally’s unofficial installation underscores the growing interest in running SteamOS on various handheld platforms.

ROG Ally SteamOS 3.8 — Credit: The Phawx

The ROG Ally typically runs on Windows 11, which has led to complaints about excessive bloatware. Many gamers have been eagerly awaiting an official SteamOS release for this console, and while the launch is imminent, the unofficial version offers a peek at what users can expect. The Phawx’s demonstration reveals some limitations, specifically that the ROG Ally operates in a constrained 15W mode, which affects its overall performance.

With a thermal design power (TDP) range of 10-30W, the ROG Ally’s current 15W ceiling certainly restricts its capabilities. Interestingly, this limitation mirrors the maximum power output of the Steam Deck, making it a relevant comparison. Benchmarks indicate that the ROG Ally frequently outperforms the Steam Deck, especially in terms of frame rates during intense gaming sessions, although the performance disparity is not stark.

Batman Arkham Knight Steam Deck vs ROG Ally Steam OS 3.8 — Credit: The Phawx

There are instances where the custom 4-core/8-thread CPU of the ROG Ally has outperformed the more robust Z1 Extreme, although throttling due to power limitations can explain these occurrences. With the impending official launch of SteamOS 3.8, it is anticipated that these power restrictions will be lifted, allowing the ROG Ally and similar devices to unlock their full performance potential.

Moreover, SteamOS isn’t limited to handhelds; it is also expected to make its way to desktop PCs in the near future, diversifying its impact across the gaming landscape.