SteamOS Beta Adds Steam Machine Features and FSR 4 Improvements Ahead of Valve Hardware Launch

SteamOS beta updates are changing the course of Valve's Steam hardware ecosystem. Besides a bunch of Steam machine-related improvements, Valve is trolling for new technologies such as FSR 4 and HDMI 2.1, which they hope will make Steam feel more like a console.

Forza Horizon 6, meanwhile, is one of the most solid handheld racing games on Steam Deck, offers greater handheld stability than the previous games, and delivers a marked improvement in overall game experience.

SteamOS Beta Updates Continue Expanding Steam Machine Features

There have been numerous SteamOS updates, many of which directly relate to upcoming Steam Machine functionality. The newly introduced beta channel update features a revamped settings UI that is more streamlined and quicker overall.

A few settings and options have been simplified and extraneous ones removed, and a few settings have been relocated for better navigation. The Steam Deck OLED interface is also much less laggy compared to the previous version.

The Steam Deck continues to be optimized for the Steam Deck, which still works great on higher-tier SteamOS PCs, especially those with hardware like the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Radeon RX 9070XT. Valve makes a point of keeping the handheld updated with regular SteamOS updates, even though it's been over four years since it was first released.

There are also reports of users in the United States getting Steam games for free after contacting Steam Support about shipping delays, as some of the early customers of the Steam Controller have done. Valve appears to be compensating affected customers while continuing to refine support for the controller and related Steam hardware features.

Steam Machine References Continue Appearing in SteamOS

Recent discoveries from Brad Lynch, also known as SadlyItsBradley on X, revealed several new Steam Machine-related additions hidden inside the latest SteamOS beta update. SteamOS now includes controls for the Steam Machine LED bar, along with references to SD card support and HDMI CEC functionality.

The beta also includes references to Valve's upcoming verified program for the Steam Machine. Combined with ongoing Steam Controller support updates, these additions strongly suggest Valve is actively preparing the broader Steam hardware ecosystem behind the scenes.

Grip sense settings for the new Steam Controller were also quietly added after launch, with Valve developers reportedly explaining that the settings shipped later than intended. The simultaneous development of the Steam Controller and the Steam Machine features suggests both products are closely connected within Valve's long-term plans.

FSR 4 and HDMI 2.1 Could Be Major Steam Machine Upgrades

One of the most important developments involves AMD's expanding support for FSR 4. Community developers have already managed to backport the technology to older handhelds like the Steam Deck, and results have been surprisingly strong depending on the game.

FSR 4 performance mode reportedly looks dramatically better than FSR 3 while delivering similar performance gains. Earlier versions of FSR often struggled to compete with NVIDIA DLSS, but FSR 4 appears much closer in image quality and temporal stability.

Recently, AMD announced wider support for older graphics architectures, even naming the RDNA 3 GPUs. Promotional content also featured RDNA 2-powered handheld systems, suggesting that future support could be even more extensive than currently confirmed. This will enable full FSR support on Steam devices such as the Steam Deck and Steam machines, without requiring launch-command workarounds or third-party tools.

There's also a glimmer of hope for HDMI 2.1 support. Issues of this nature came up earlier after Valve announced support for 120fps on the Steam Machine, but there were some questions about HDMI 2.1 support at launch. It's said that the problem was with the AMD Linux driver licensing restrictions, but those seem to have been addressed.

If Valve successfully integrates HDMI 2.1 support before launch, the Steam Machine could fully support modern 120Hz displays, VRR, and higher-refresh-rate gaming on compatible hardware.

Forza Horizon 6 Runs Surprisingly Well on Steam Deck

After spending roughly 20 hours with Forza Horizon 6, including extensive Steam Deck testing, the game already feels like one of the best racing experiences available on Valve's handheld.

Out of the box, the default settings already deliver solid performance, but several adjustments can improve overall stability. The best visual experience is to run the game at 800p with HDR turned on from the Steam Deck OLED. Locking the in-game frame rate to 30 fps with VSync seems to make it more consistent.

The effort to achieve higher than 40 fps is usually not worth it. Even more powerful handheld hardware struggles to maintain stable performance above that threshold. Forza Horizon 6 clearly appears optimized around a 30fps target on portable systems.

GPU clock adjustments also help improve frame pacing. Some previous Forza Horizon games took advantage of the fact that PCs could have their graphics cards clocked down to 1200MHz, but Forza Horizon 6 runs best at around 1600MHz. The battery life is slightly reduced, but it's worth it for the greater consistency.

The New Driving Model and Map Feel Dramatically Improved

There are many new features in the driving experience and the world design in Forza Horizon 6. The cars are now considerably heavier and have much better grip at high speeds. Drifting and rally handling have also been improved significantly.

The new Japanese map's verticality and environmental density are what stand out. Unlike Forza Horizon 5, immersive roads, wooded shortcuts, hidden racetracks, and dynamic nighttime visuals make up for that. The skyline may even glow with fireworks illuminating the night at the Horizon Festival.

The progression system has also been revamped, making the campaign more defined. Players progress through "wristband" levels, and each level confines players to a specific car class. However, it doesn't restrict players, and the game still offers plenty of wheel spins, vehicles, and credits to keep them moving.

Forza Horizon 6 is a terrific addition to the series and can be played entirely on the Steam Deck without a dedicated gaming PC.