SteamOS ARM Support Expands to More Handheld Gaming Devices

Steam Machine appears to support external GPUs through a modification that uses its SSD slot and an OCuLink adapter. At the same time, SteamOS for ARM handhelds is now available through Armada, allowing supported devices to run Steam games outside the Steam Deck. 9070 XT can provide more GPU overhead, but results will vary by game.

A similar CPU previously caused a major bottleneck, with the GPU reaching only 68%-72% of its power in CPU-bound games. More GPU overhead could be enough to enable ray tracing, play at true 4K, or run older games at higher resolutions and settings than the Steam Machine's built-in GPU allows.

CPU Limitations Can Still Affect eGPU Performance

The same power-creep issue can occur when upgrading a PC. An older AMD GPU was fine for 1440p in games such as Elden Ring, but newer Unreal Engine 5 games could struggle to stay above 30fps, stutter more, and run hotter. After upgrading to the 9070 XT, the GPU was not being used to its full potential because the CPU was holding it back.

Upgrading the CPU to the 9800X3D solved that problem, but the system then started pushing the CPU harder during intensive gaming. Valve could eventually face the same issue if it keeps upgrading parts of the Steam Machine. A system that starts at over $1,000 could eventually creep toward the $2,000 mark as more components are upgraded.

A better USB port on the back could have opened up more possibilities for the Steam Machine. An eGPU could have added GPU power and improved the system's longevity. The main issue is cost. Valve had to fine-tune the Steam Machine and scrutinize every part to keep it as cheap as possible.

Adding a port that supports an eGPU could have raised the price. The total cost of the Steam Machine, eGPU, and required adapters could also end up being close to the cost of building a PC with parts that work together out of the box. With a custom setup, you don't need to keep the Steam Machine open or work around its existing ports.

SteamOS for ARM Handhelds is Now Available

SteamOS for ARM devices has long been requested, and Armada is now available as a SteamOS option for ARM handhelds. Only a few devices are supported right now, with the AYN Odin 2 Pocket Edition among the main ones people use. AYN Odin 2 Pocket Edition has a design similar to the PlayStation Vita, and ARM handhelds have continued to become smaller.

The appeal of these devices isn't limited to emulation; SteamOS also lets you play Steam games on them. Small handhelds can be useful for playing older games, but having Steam games available gives them another reason to be used. Smaller indie titles and games from a couple of generations back can make more sense on these devices.

Modders are working to port SteamOS to ARM devices that aren't the Steam Deck. The main requirement was a different Linux kernel, since the official version of SteamOS for ARM currently only supports the Steam Deck.

Once SteamOS is installed on a supported ARM handheld, whether a game works is still a coin flip.

Skyrim and Neon White ran pretty well, but you can still get stuttering, graphical glitches, frame drops, and other issues. For anyone chasing a portable SteamOS handheld, the option is now real. The software is still rough, but it can improve over time as more people work on it.

Development on these projects is moving quickly. More work on emulation and compatibility is also happening, showing how quickly these projects can develop when more people contribute. With more people working on SteamOS for ARM, it may not be long before it becomes installable on more handhelds, rather than being limited to the four or five devices currently supported.

AYN Odin 3 and AYN Thor are among the Android handhelds being used, and SteamOS support could make these devices more useful for playing Steam games. The appeal is having more games available while keeping the operating system and features associated with SteamOS. Valve could eventually expand SteamOS support to more devices.