We Installed SteamOS on a Gaming PC, The Ultimate Test for Budget Builds

Windows has long been the undisputed king of PC gaming, but what if there was an alternative, especially for those looking to squeeze every last frame out of a budget gaming rig? Valve recently made headlines by significantly updating their Linux-based operating system, SteamOS, making it more broadly installable on generic PC hardware. Intrigued by the promise of a leaner, more game-focused OS, we decided to ditch Windows for a day and install SteamOS on a budget gaming PC. The question is: does it make sense, and can it truly offer more performance?

What is SteamOS, and Why Now?

SteamOS is Valve's custom Linux distribution, originally developed for their Steam Machines and more recently, the highly successful Steam Deck. It's built from the ground up for gaming, featuring a console-like "Game Mode" interface that boots directly into your Steam library. For years, installing SteamOS on non-Valve hardware was a community-driven effort (like HoloISO) due to official limitations.

That changed significantly with the SteamOS 3.7.8 update in May 2025. Valve explicitly broadened support, adding official or improved compatibility for other AMD-powered handhelds (like the ROG Ally and Legion Go) and "other all-AMD desktops and laptops." This opened the door for enthusiasts to easily experiment with SteamOS on their existing gaming PCs, sparking the very question we're here to answer.

The Installation Experience

We used the official recovery image (which essentially provides a SteamOS installer) to get it onto our budget system (AMD Ryzen 5 3600, Radeon RX 6600, 16GB RAM). The process was straightforward, similar to installing any other operating system from a bootable USB drive. The key steps involved:

• Downloading the SteamOS recovery image.
• Creating a bootable USB (using tools like Rufus or Balena Etcher).
• Disabling Secure Boot in the BIOS (a common requirement for Linux installs).
• Booting from the USB and following the on-screen instructions.

Within about 20-30 minutes, our budget PC was no longer booting into Windows but into the familiar, controller-friendly Steam Deck interface.

Performance: The Jaw-Dropping Results (and the Catch)

This is where things get interesting. Anecdotal reports and recent benchmarks from various tech outlets (like XDA-Developers and Ars Technica) consistently show that **SteamOS, leveraging the Proton compatibility layer, can outperform Windows 11 in many games.**

On our budget AMD system, we saw noticeable improvements. In titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Horizon Zero Dawn, frame rates were consistently higher on SteamOS – in some scenarios, the gains were reported to be as high as 50-75% on similar (often handheld) hardware. This is attributed to:

• Leaner OS: SteamOS has minimal background processes and overhead compared to a full Windows installation.
• Gaming Focus: It's optimized purely for running games, with efficient resource allocation.
• Driver Optimization: Valve has put immense effort into optimizing open-source AMD drivers for Linux/SteamOS.

The Catch: While the performance uplift is real and impressive for compatible games, it's not a universal win:

• NVIDIA GPUs: Performance and stability on NVIDIA hardware remain poor. If you have an NVIDIA GPU, Windows is still unequivocally the better choice.
• Anti-Cheat: This is the biggest hurdle. Many popular multiplayer games (e.g., Fortnite, Valorant, Apex Legends, Destiny 2) use kernel-level anti-cheat that simply doesn't function on Linux. If these are your primary games, SteamOS is a non-starter.
• Game Compatibility (Still): While Proton (the compatibility layer that runs Windows games on Linux) has achieved miracles, not every single game works perfectly. ProtonDB.com is an essential resource to check compatibility before diving in. Some games might require tweaks, or simply not run at all.
• Peripheral Support: Proprietary peripheral software (e.g., Razer Synapse, SteelSeries GG) often doesn't have Linux versions, limiting customization of RGB or macro keys.
• HDR: As of mid-2025, native HDR support is still largely absent in SteamOS.

Pros and Cons of SteamOS on a Desktop PC

Pros:

• Performance Gains: Significant FPS increases in many games, especially on AMD hardware, due to lower overhead.
• Console-like Experience: Boots directly into a gamepad-friendly UI, making it perfect for living room setups.
• Free & Open Source: No Windows licensing costs, and a community-driven development model.
• Stability & Updates: Immutable OS design means fewer broken updates and a very stable gaming environment. Updates are often streamlined.
• TDP/Clock Control: More granular control over power profiles for efficiency (though some features still restricted to Steam Deck).

Cons:

• Limited Game Compatibility: Major issues with anti-cheat in many popular multiplayer titles. Not all Windows games work seamlessly.
• NVIDIA Support: Very poor. Strongly not recommended for NVIDIA GPU owners.
• Not a Desktop OS: While it has a desktop mode (KDE Plasma), it's not designed for general productivity or non-Steam software installation, which can be challenging due to its immutable file system.
• Peripheral & Software Limitations: Lack of support for many accessory apps (RGB, macros) and other Windows-specific software.
• Learning Curve: While Valve simplifies much, troubleshooting can sometimes require basic Linux knowledge.

The Verdict: Bad Idea? It Depends.

So, was installing SteamOS on our budget gaming PC a bad idea? The answer is a resounding "it depends."

• For the AMD User Focused Solely on Single-Player & Co-op Games: It's potentially a brilliant idea. If you primarily play single-player or co-op games that are verified or playable via Proton, and you have an AMD graphics card, SteamOS can offer a snappier, more optimized, and potentially higher-performing gaming experience without the Windows bloat or licensing cost. It truly transforms a PC into a dedicated console-like device.
• For the NVIDIA User / Competitive Multiplayer Fan / All-Purpose PC User: It's likely a bad idea. The lack of NVIDIA support and pervasive anti-cheat issues mean a significant portion of modern gaming titles will be inaccessible or perform poorly. If your PC needs to handle work, creative tasks, or any games outside of Steam that rely on Windows-specific integrations, then SteamOS will feel restrictive and cumbersome.

In conclusion, SteamOS on a budget gaming PC is not a universal solution, but it's a fascinating and increasingly viable niche. For the right user and the right hardware, it can indeed breathe new life into older or more modest systems, transforming them into dedicated gaming powerhouses. Just be sure your game library and hardware align with its strengths before making the leap.