Valve teams with Intel and Nvidia to expand SteamOS GPU support

Valve is making major strides in expanding the operating system’s hardware reach, teaming up with both Intel and Nvidia to broaden SteamOS GPU support. For years, the Linux-based platform was largely tied to Valve’s own Steam Deck hardware, but a new wave of partnerships signals a shift toward wider compatibility with third-party devices.

MSI’s Intel-powered Claw gaming handhelds have long been saddled with Windows, a notoriously clunky experience on small, portable gaming PCs. Now, both Valve and Intel have confirmed to The Verge that they are collaborating to change that. Early results are encouraging: prominent YouTuber ETA Prime has already showcased a positive experience running SteamOS on Intel hardware.

The catalyst for this expansion is Valve’s recently released SteamOS 3.8 update. The patch notes explicitly mention “initial firmware for upcoming Intel handhelds” and improved controller support for select MSI Claw devices, including last year’s well-reviewed MSI Claw 8 AI Plus. ETA Prime managed to get a beta version of SteamOS 3.8 running on the device, demonstrating that the experience is quickly maturing beyond its AMD-only origins.

This collaboration isn’t limited to handhelds. By working with Nvidia as well, Valve is signaling a long-term ambition to make SteamOS a viable alternative to Windows for a broader range of gaming hardware. While details remain scarce, the move could eventually allow desktop gamers with Nvidia GPUs to enjoy a native SteamOS experience without the friction of driver workarounds. For now, the immediate focus is on Intel-powered handhelds, but the foundation is being laid for a much wider ecosystem.