Major SteamOS update adds support for Steam Machine, even more third-party hardware
One of the major improvements to the Steam Machine and other desktop hardware is “significantly improved video memory management with discrete GPU platforms.” When we tested SteamOS on a range of generic PC hardware last year, we found that GPUs with 8GB of RAM could perform significantly worse under SteamOS than under Windows – a big problem for Valve since the Steam Machine comes with a Radeon RX 7600-caliber GPU with 8GB of video memory.
We didn’t experience the same performance issues with the 16GB GPUs or with the integrated graphics that allow games to dynamically leverage as much system memory as they need. We will have to carry out tests with this new SteamOS update to see if and to what extent the situation has improved.
Other changes to the Steam Machine (but which should also benefit anyone using their own Steam Machine at home) include improved HDMI audio support, fixes for performance issues that specifically affected Desktop mode, better support for HDR and variable refresh rate displays, better default scaling behavior on TV screens, better support for rotated screens, and the ability to set different scaling modes for different screens in a multi-monitor setup.
We think the Steam Machine will be most interesting as a console-style computer that you connect to your TV, but Valve clearly expects that some users will also want to use the system more like a traditional desktop computer.
People running a version of SteamOS 3.7 can get the new SteamOS 3.8 preview update by opening Settings, then System, and toggling the system update channel to “Preview.”
Valve said it still hopes to launch the Steam Machine in the first half of the year, but the company has not announced specific details on pricing or availability.
