SteamOS Outperforms Windows 11 in Speed Tests
▼ Summary
– Recent testing shows SteamOS 3.7 outperforms Windows 11 in frame rates for modern games on the Lenovo Legion Go S.
– Valve’s SteamOS is differentiating itself from Windows, the traditional default for PC gamers, with this performance advantage.
– The Lenovo Legion Go S is the first gaming handheld designed to work with either Windows 11 or SteamOS, offering flexibility.
– SteamOS provides small to significant frame rate improvements over Windows 11, especially at low graphics settings.
– Windows 11 on the Legion Go S may require unofficial driver updates for optimal performance, unlike SteamOS’s out-of-the-box experience.
Valve’s SteamOS now delivers better gaming performance than Windows 11 on handheld devices, reversing a decade-long trend where Linux-based systems lagged behind Microsoft’s platform. Recent benchmark tests on the Lenovo Legion Go S reveal that modern games consistently achieve higher frame rates when running on SteamOS 3.7 compared to Windows 11. This shift marks a significant milestone for Valve’s operating system, positioning it as a viable alternative for PC gamers who traditionally relied on Windows.
The performance gap becomes especially noticeable in demanding scenarios. At lower graphics settings, SteamOS often pushes frame rates into playable territory where Windows 11 struggles, demonstrating how the operating system choice can make or break the gaming experience on portable hardware. While Windows installations remain possible on devices like the Steam Deck, Valve doesn’t officially support this configuration, unlike Lenovo’s approach with the Legion Go S, the first handheld explicitly designed for dual-boot functionality between Windows 11 and SteamOS.
Testing methodology involved comparing both operating systems on identical Legion Go S hardware across five recent AAA titles. Researchers used built-in benchmarking tools at multiple resolution and graphics presets, ensuring direct comparisons. After establishing SteamOS performance baselines, they installed Windows 11 with Lenovo’s official drivers and repeated the tests using the same games through Steam’s Windows client.
Performance gains on SteamOS varied by title but consistently appeared across the test suite, with some games showing marginal improvements while others demonstrated substantial frame rate boosts. One notable exception emerged during testing, Doom: The Dark Ages refused to launch on Windows due to driver compatibility issues. Investigators discovered a workaround using newer AMD drivers from Asus’s ROG Ally, though this solution requires technical know-how beyond what typical users might attempt. The incident highlights how SteamOS benefits from Valve’s curated driver approach, while Windows configurations depend on manufacturer support that sometimes lags behind.
These findings challenge long-held assumptions about gaming performance across operating systems. Where early SteamOS implementations struggled to match Windows, the latest iteration demonstrates clear advantages in portable gaming scenarios. The results suggest that Valve’s optimization efforts, combined with AMD hardware synergy, create an environment where Linux-based gaming can outperform the Windows ecosystem in specific use cases. For handheld PC enthusiasts, this development adds compelling reasons to consider SteamOS beyond its traditional open-source appeal.
(Source: Ars Technica)
