Steam OS Outperforms Windows in 10 Games, Matches in 2 More
▼ Summary
– SteamOS outperformed or matched Windows in gaming performance across 12 tested games on the Lenovo Legion Go S, with 10 wins and 2 ties for Valve.
– The Legion Go S is the first device with official support for both SteamOS and Windows, enabling a fair comparison, with SteamOS receiving a higher review score (91%) than Windows (72%).
– SteamOS showed significant performance advantages in games like Returnal and Cyberpunk 2077, while Windows only led marginally in a few titles like Borderlands 3.
– SteamOS’s success highlights its potential as a viable alternative to Windows for gamers, though it currently faces limitations in hardware support and game compatibility.
– Valve has been improving SteamOS’s compatibility and performance, while Microsoft’s efforts to reduce Windows bloat for handhelds remain unproven.
SteamOS is proving to be a serious competitor to Windows for gaming performance, delivering better frame rates in multiple titles according to recent benchmarks. Independent testing across multiple sources reveals Valve’s Linux-based operating system outperforming Microsoft’s platform in a growing list of games, with only marginal differences in a handful of cases.
Recent evaluations by Ars Technica, YouTuber Dave2D, and PC Gamer’s Jacob Fox highlight SteamOS’s surprising dominance. The Lenovo Legion Go S, the first handheld with official dual-OS support, served as the testbed, allowing direct comparisons under identical hardware conditions. Windows struggled to keep up, with SteamOS securing higher frame rates in 10 out of 12 tested games, while tying in the remaining two.
Ars Technica’s testing covered five titles: Returnal, Borderlands 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Homeworld 3, and Doom: The Dark Ages. At both high and low settings, SteamOS lost only in Borderlands 3, and by a single frame. The most lopsided victory came in Returnal, where Valve’s OS led by nine frames at 1200p and a staggering 17 frames at 800p.
Dave2D’s earlier analysis reinforced these findings, showing SteamOS outperforming Windows in Cyberpunk 2077, Helldivers 2, Doom Eternal, and The Witcher 3. The sole exception was Spider-Man 2, where Windows eked out a one-frame advantage. Combined with PC Gamer’s additional tests, Black Myth Wukong, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Hitman 3, SteamOS now boasts a 10-0-2 record in these head-to-head matchups.
Beyond raw performance, reviewers noted Windows’ inefficiency on handheld devices, with unnecessary background processes and intrusive features like web-based search results slowing things down. SteamOS, by contrast, offers a leaner, more focused experience tailored for gaming.
Challenges remain for broader SteamOS adoption, including limited hardware compatibility and some games still refusing to run due to anti-cheat restrictions. However, Valve has steadily improved both areas, expanding support beyond the Steam Deck and whitelisting more titles. Microsoft, meanwhile, has pledged to optimize Windows for handhelds, though skepticism remains given its history of bloatware and abandoned initiatives like Games for Windows Live.
For gamers frustrated with Windows’ quirks, SteamOS is emerging as a viable alternative, one that’s not just competitive, but often superior in performance. If Valve continues refining its platform, the balance of power in PC gaming could shift sooner than expected.
(Source: PCGAMER)
