{"id":122040,"date":"2026-04-09T15:19:38","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T15:19:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2026\/04\/09\/i-ditched-windows-for-steamos-on-my-pc-and-gaming-is-way-better-now\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T15:20:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T15:20:40","slug":"i-ditched-windows-for-steamos-on-my-pc-and-gaming-is-way-better-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2026\/04\/09\/i-ditched-windows-for-steamos-on-my-pc-and-gaming-is-way-better-now\/","title":{"rendered":"I ditched Windows for SteamOS on my PC, and gaming is way better now"},"content":{"rendered":"

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I have been a giant fan of SteamOS for fairly some time now, especially on my handheld gaming PC<\/a>. And seeing as after I’m not working, I am enjoying video games on my PC, I figured that it was time to provide it a take a look at run on my desktop. Whereas I’ve tried Nobara and different gaming-centric Linux distros up to now, I all the time are inclined to flock again to SteamOS.<\/p>\n

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After putting in it on my desktop, I am reminded precisely why I like utilizing SteamOS as my gaming-centric Linux set up. Whereas it will not be as endlessly customizable as different distros that I’ve tried, typically you simply need issues to work such as you already know and belief.<\/p>\n

\n\"ASUS\n <\/picture>\n

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\n\t\t\tThe state of Linux gaming in 2026: how close are we to 100% compatibility?
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Take notes, Epic Video games.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n Familiarity between handheld and desktop
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\n Home windows is my go-to for work, however SteamOS is my go-to for play
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Switching between totally different Linux flavors usually comes with a little bit of a studying curve. Studying how one can customise and tweak your desktop to your actual specs is a superb factor. If I have been planning on utilizing Linux as my primary OS, I would seemingly follow one thing like Bazzite or Nobara. However seeing as I am primarily gaming on Linux, utilizing SteamOS comes like second nature to me. Plus, Steam Cloud makes enjoying throughout any machine simpler, particularly with SteamOS on every part.<\/p>\n

I’ve grown extremely aware of how issues work on this model of Linux after being launched to it on my Steam Deck, after which once more after I put in it on my ROG Ally X. It is nice for handheld play, however getting native Steam Massive Image mode, alongside all of the plug-ins that I take advantage of on my handhelds, I’ve grown to understand it much more on a desktop. It is fairly vanilla in comparison with different gaming-centric OSs, however typically you simply crave that simplicity. Plus, seeing as SteamOS is a local-first, telemetry-light surroundings, you needn’t fear that they will start introducing random AI features that you’ll quickly disable, as Windows does<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\n Efficiency is optimized
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\n Seeing because it’s targeted on Steam, SteamOS makes my video games run nice
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\"SteamOS\n <\/picture>Credit score:\u00a0Shaun Cichacki\/MUO<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Now, in order for you consistency over customization, that is the place SteamOS takes the cake in comparison with different distros. Seeing as SteamOS works on shader pre-caching, decrease CPU utilization due to its gaming-centric options, and Proton and Vulkan translations, it oftentimes outperforms a Home windows set up. Sometimes, customers will see greater FPS, much less stutter from shaders, and smoother body instances. The LAVD scheduler tells the CPU to prioritize your sport over the background noise, making issues run as easy as butter right here. That is the place you will need to be, particularly in case you have an AMD graphics card. Whereas Nvidia is getting higher, SteamOS is primarily targeted on AMD {hardware}. Even the upcoming Steam Machine makes use of primarily AMD tech inside it, and Valve works very carefully with AMD to supply the absolute best expertise. Nvidia is getting higher, however a few of its drivers might trigger some points. I have never seen something that has made me rage-quit but, as I am utilizing an AMD CPU and an Nvidia 4060Ti in my desktop, however some customers report points with Nvidia drivers specifically. If you happen to’re planning on making a dedicated Steam Machine of your own<\/a>, use AMD for fewer complications general. The latest 3.8 replace targeted on video reminiscence administration, and it has made issues higher for Nvidia customers, so the hole is far much less vital. Even when AMD continues to be barely higher on this situation.<\/p>\n

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\n Safer updates general
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\n System photographs versus conventional updates make it much less liable to breaking
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\"SteamOS\n <\/picture>Credit score:\u00a0Shaun Cichacki\/MUO<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Linux could be a little temperamental at instances, and that is truthfully a part of the appeal. However for the sake of my very own sanity, I would fairly have SteamOS obtain updates, hold them on a secret secondary partition, and simply reboot to put in. The bootloader swaps the partitions, installs the updates, and also you’re prepared to start out enjoying video games once more. It is simply that easy, and if one thing goes improper, it’s going to revert to the working model and act as if nothing occurred.<\/p>\n

Through the use of image-based updates, much like what Bazzite makes use of, it would not overwrite particular person recordsdata. It replaces your entire OS picture, which means that it is an all-or-nothing replace. If it would not work or one thing goes improper alongside the way in which, it’s going to revert again to the final working picture that it had, and I can go about my enterprise as if nothing had ever occurred. It is safer, extra foolproof, and simply makes the entire technique of making an attempt to make use of and perceive Linux simpler for everyone.<\/p>\n

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\n \"SteamOS\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOS<\/strong> \t\t\t\t\t<\/dt>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSteamOS\/Linux<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMinimal CPU Specs<\/strong> \t\t\t\t\t<\/dt>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIntel Core i5-4590<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMinimal RAM Specs<\/strong> \t\t\t\t\t<\/dt>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8GB RAM<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSoftware program Model<\/strong> \t\t\t\t\t<\/dt>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3.0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n Customization is not nice right here
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\n Attempting to do something outdoors of what the OS desires is not straightforward
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\"SteamOS\n <\/picture>Credit score:\u00a0Shaun Cichacki\/MUO<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

One of many greatest attracts of the Linux household is the sheer quantity of customization that energy customers can do with it. Whereas I am not precisely probably the most well-versed in Linux or its quite a few distros, others dwell, breathe, and survive on Linux. I’ve seen a number of the issues that folks can do, and if I ever wished to strive that on SteamOS, I would be out of luck. It is rather more locked down than different distros, and it will be primarily for enjoying video games and light-weight utilization. Plus, though SteamOS is formally supported by Valve, video games that require Kernel-Stage Anti-Cheat nonetheless will not work right here.<\/p>\n

Attempting to do main customizations to SteamOS, outdoors of some plug-ins, or making an attempt to run issues like servers on your favourite video games goes to be a little bit of a ache, if not almost unattainable, right here. You should use Distrobox, which provides customers a model of Arch or Fedora in its personal container, with out risking the soundness of your gaming-centric OS. However on the finish of the day, it is obtained one devoted objective that it does fairly nicely, and it would not need you messing with something that would doubtlessly throw that out of whack. Bazzite and Nobara give customers loads of customization choices, whereas additionally excelling at gaming, so it could be value checking these out if you don’t need one thing primarily devoted to only gaming. Not less than VRR and HDR on exterior screens alongside per-display scaling have not too long ago been added, making it even higher for gaming.<\/p>\n

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\n SteamOS is the king of gaming
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\n Different Linux flavors might have extra to supply, however I prefer it right here
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After experimenting with different Linux flavors for a minute there, I retreated to my comfortable place. It is like being embraced with a heat blanket, and I do know what’s and is not going to work proper out of the field. Possibly sooner or later, if I ever determine to totally ditch Home windows to lastly go all in on Linux, I’ll go together with a distinct OS. However seeing as I am gaming and solely gaming right here? SteamOS is the right match for me.<\/p>\n

It runs my video games higher, seems nice, and does precisely what I need it to. In a world the place it appears like every part is getting extra sophisticated each second, typically it is higher to only follow what and construct from there.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n