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Ars Technica
Ars Technica
· 9 months, 1 week ago • Andrew Cunningham

SteamOS tested on dedicated GPUs: No, it’s not always faster than Windows

Briefing

The latest tests reveal that SteamOS, while promising for gaming, often lags behind Windows in performance on dedicated GPUs. This is particularly relevant for graphics programmers and designers who rely on optimizing performance across platforms. The upcoming Steam Machine, set to launch next year, will feature a dedicated GPU with 8GB of memory, but early tests indicate that SteamOS may struggle with RAM limits in certain games.

Developers should be aware of these performance gaps, as they could influence game optimization strategies. With the Steam Machine aiming to compete with established systems, understanding these nuances will be crucial for those developing for the platform.

“Windows usually has an edge on SteamOS's performance.”

— Ars Technica · Summary of performance tests
Original source
Read on Ars Technica
At a glance
what
SteamOS tested against Windows on dedicated GPUs
who
Valve, Ars Technica
when
Steam Machine expected launch next year
impact
Potential performance limitations for developers on SteamOS
Signal Mixed

Performance gaps may hinder developers despite SteamOS's potential.

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