For years, Windows has been the dominant operating system for PC gaming, but my experience with its numerous quirks prompted me to explore an alternative: Linux. After making the switch, I can confidently say I’m not going back.
Reasons for Choosing SteamOS
My primary gaming device is the Asus ROG Ally, a handheld gaming console akin to the Steam Deck. This device excels at running older titles and emulating retro games, but I found it frustrating that it operates on Windows 11. The performance issues unique to this handheld setup compounded my dissatisfaction.
I’ve encountered a myriad of basic problems while using Windows 11—issues like unexpected system sleep, unintended driver uninstallation, and persistent updates that ignore my preferences. These hurdles turned my gaming time into a troubleshooting nightmare, leading me to make the shift to Linux.
I ultimately decided to install SteamOS, which is based on Arch Linux and engineered for optimized gaming experiences. Valve has put significant effort into ensuring compatibility with devices like the ROG Ally, providing me confidence against potential driver issues.
While most AMD systems are compatible, users with Nvidia GPUs should consider Bazzite, which offers a similar interface to SteamOS but is better tailored for Nvidia hardware.
If you’re apprehensive that the controller-centric interface of SteamOS might be impractical for PC use, rest assured—it includes a desktop mode resembling Windows, allowing for conventional computing tasks with ease.
Game Compatibility: A Smooth Transition
Initially, I was concerned about gaming compatibility, especially since my prior attempts with Linux yielded limited success. However, Valve’s advancements in the Proton compatibility layer have alleviated this concern significantly. This layer enables seamless operation of Windows-based games on Linux, minimizing the need for developers to modify their titles specifically for Linux.
My preferences lean towards single-player games, and I’ve found that they generally operate flawlessly on SteamOS without requiring extensive tweaks. Interestingly, there were instances where I encountered issues on Windows that did not exist while gaming on SteamOS. In fact, many emulators functioned with better performance on Linux.
That said, your experience may vary, especially if you enjoy multiplayer games with kernel-level anti-cheat systems (e.g., Call of Duty or Valorant), which are not supported on Linux. I recommend consulting ProtonDB, a community-driven resource that details the compatibility of specific titles with Proton before diving into SteamOS.
Enhanced Performance with SteamOS
Upon making the jump to SteamOS, I expected a dip in performance due to the compatibility layer. Surprisingly, I found that most games ran significantly better on SteamOS than on Windows 11. The sheer bloat of the Windows operating system became glaringly evident, often draining performance unless I manually optimized it.
All performance tests were conducted under the same graphical settings and performance modes. Beyond the metrics, I noticed a marked reduction in frame stutters on Linux. While the frame rates weren’t drastically different, the frametime consistency on SteamOS was smoother, contrasting sharply with the stutters seen on Windows.
Even when connecting the ROG Ally to an external display and using it in desktop mode like a traditional computer, it felt more responsive than running Windows. Additionally, the absence of intrusive updates, advertising pressures, and mandatory Microsoft account requirements significantly improved the overall user experience.
Gaming-Centric Design of SteamOS
If you’re utilizing a couch PC linked to your television, a handheld like mine, or a PC primarily for gaming with a controller, you are likely familiar with the challenges of navigating Windows on a touchscreen or via a controller. For anyone fitting this description, I strongly recommend making the switch.
SteamOS is inherently designed with gaming as its priority. It seamlessly delivers a console-like interface on PC hardware, featuring a user experience that accommodates both keyboard and mouse users as well as those who prefer controllers.
Noteworthy features, like an integrated performance monitoring tool and a functional sleep mode (which Windows fails to deliver consistently), solidify SteamOS as a comprehensive gaming-centric package.
While Microsoft continues to enhance the Xbox app for an improved gaming hub experience on Windows, I remain skeptical about relying too heavily on that ecosystem, given the historical challenges with the Xbox brand and past services like Games for Windows – Live.
Despite my transition to Linux for gaming, I still prefer macOS for everyday tasks due to its polished user experience and superior productivity tools. Nonetheless, Linux has made significant strides, with SteamOS emerging as an excellent alternative for gaming. As I now spend less time battling with Windows and more time enjoying my gaming experience, I am delighted with my current setup.
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