Unofficial SteamOS 3.8 on ROG Ally - Initial Performance Insights
Positive news is emerging. While Valve's official SteamOS 3.8 release is still pending, a resourceful YouTuber has managed to get an early build running on the ROG Ally. Initial reports are definitely interesting.
Unofficial SteamOS 3.8 on ROG Ally - What's the Hype
Valve has been exploring SteamOS beyond the Steam Deck. SteamOS 3.8 is expected to be the first version officially available on other handhelds. While awaiting Valve's official announcement, tech-savvy YouTuber, The Phawx, took initiative. They successfully installed an early pre-release build of SteamOS 3.8 onto their ROG Ally. This provides a glimpse of its potential.
This unofficial installation is not yet perfect. As demonstrated by The Phawx, the ROG Ally appears limited to a 15W TDP (Thermal Design Power). This is the Steam Deck's highest power. Capping the Ally's full capability, which reaches 30W under Windows, creates a balanced performance testing scenario.
SteamOS 3.8 vs. Steam Deck: Pre-Launch Performance Showdown
How does the ROG Ally on SteamOS 3.8 compare to the Steam Deck? In initial game tests, the ROG Ally showed better performance. While the performance difference was not always significant, the ROG Ally exhibited less jarring "lows" in framerates. This could mean a smoother gaming experience.
The ROG Ally's Z1 Extreme chip is limited by the 15W power cap in this early SteamOS release. At times, the Steam Deck's APU demonstrated its strength. This is likely due to Valve's software optimizations specific to the Deck. However, this is just the beginning.
The Future is Bright for Handheld SteamOS
The exciting news is SteamOS 3.8 works on the ROG Ally, even in this early, unofficial state. When Valve officially releases the build and removes power limits, the ROG Ally, and potentially other handhelds, could excel with SteamOS. Imagine SteamOS's optimized gaming experience on the more powerful ROG Ally hardware. This is a promising prospect for handheld PC gaming. We anticipate the official SteamOS 3.8 release on non-Steam Deck hardware.
We will continue to provide updates as SteamOS 3.8 approaches its official release. Valve appears serious about expanding the SteamOS ecosystem. This is positive news for gamers everywhere.
