If you’re trying to build a budget gaming PC from older components, one of the biggest questions you may have is:
Can SteamOS deliver better gaming performance than Windows 11?
With the rise of Valve’s Steam Deck and its Linux-based operating system, many gamers are beginning to wonder if switching to SteamOS could unlock more performance — especially on aging hardware. In this detailed breakdown, we’ll go through a real-world performance comparison of SteamOS vs Windows 11, tested on the same 2018 Dell XPS 8930 desktop.
Let’s dive into the hardware, installation, benchmarks, and — of course — the FPS results across multiple AAA games.
🖥️ The Test Setup: Dell XPS 8930 Specs
To make this comparison as fair and realistic as possible, the test was performed on the same machine using identical graphics settings. Here’s the hardware used:
- Model: Dell XPS 8930 (2018)
- CPU: Intel Core i7-8700 (6 cores, 12 threads)
- GPU: AMD Radeon Pro W5700 (8GB GDDR6, PCIe 4.0)
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- PSU: FSP 650W 80+ Silver (upgraded from the original 460W unit)
- Operating Systems: SteamOS Holo v3.7.6 and Windows 11
Why the GPU upgrade? The AMD Radeon Pro W5700 provides modern graphics power at a budget-friendly price. The PSU upgrade was essential to prevent any power throttling under load.
🔌 PSU Installation and GPU Setup
Let’s walk through the quick hardware prep steps before jumping into the benchmarks:
- Removed the stock 460W PSU from the Dell chassis
- Installed the 650W FSP PSU, which fits perfectly due to standard ATX support
- Connected the 24-pin motherboard cable and 4-pin CPU power
- Installed the Radeon Pro W5700 GPU
- Connected the required 6-pin + 8-pin PCIe power connectors
- Reassembled the case and powered it up!
Now let’s move to the software side.
🐧 SteamOS: Features and Interface
Once the system was ready, SteamOS Holo v3.7.6 was installed.
SteamOS offers:
- Game Mode UI – controller-friendly interface like a console
- Desktop Mode – switches to a Linux desktop for productivity
- Integrated Steam support – easy installation and updates for games
Even on this older machine, the interface was fluid and responsive — a solid start!
⚠️ Important Disclaimer Before Benchmarking
Before we dive into the frame rates and performance numbers, a quick disclaimer:
All tests were done on the same PC using identical in-game graphics presets. However, factors like driver versions, minor system updates, or background tasks can slightly impact performance. Your mileage may vary depending on your exact hardware and software environment.
This comparison is meant to provide a general idea, not absolute numbers.
🎮 Game Benchmarks: SteamOS vs Windows 11
Now the exciting part — let’s see how these two operating systems compare across four popular titles!
🕶️ Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, High Settings)
- SteamOS: ~90 FPS (avg: 98.6 FPS)
- Windows 11: ~80 FPS (avg: 85.1 FPS)
- Performance Gain: +15.86% in favor of SteamOS
Cyberpunk is known for being heavy on hardware, so getting smoother performance on SteamOS was a surprising win.
🧭 Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, Highest Preset, No FSR)
- SteamOS: Avg 104 FPS
- Windows 11: Avg 98 FPS
- Performance Gain: +6% for SteamOS
While the gain wasn’t massive, SteamOS still delivered better average frame rates — and without FSR or special tweaks.
🐉 Black Myth: Wukong (1080p, Medium, FSR 100%)
- SteamOS: ~80 FPS
- Windows 11: ~47 FPS
- Performance Gain: +70.2% on SteamOS
This was the most surprising result! SteamOS nearly doubled the FPS compared to Windows. The reason isn’t clear — it could be due to better Vulkan optimization or driver differences — but the result speaks for itself.
🐾 Monster Hunter Wilds (1080p, High Settings)
- SteamOS: Avg 51.37 FPS (Score: 17444)
- Windows 11: Avg 45 FPS (Score: 15349)
- Performance Gain: +14% for SteamOS
Again, SteamOS came out ahead in terms of both benchmark score and average FPS.
📊 Final Verdict: Is SteamOS Better for Gaming on Old PCs?
🔎 Summary of FPS Gains:
| Game | SteamOS FPS | Windows 11 FPS | FPS Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 98.6 | 85.1 | +15.86% |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 104 | 98 | +6% |
| Black Myth: Wukong | 80 | 47 | +70.2% |
| Monster Hunter Wilds | 51.37 | 45 | +14% |
📝 Conclusion: Should You Use SteamOS?
If you’re building a low-cost gaming rig from older components and you mostly play games available on Steam, SteamOS is a strong contender. It offers:
✅ Better raw FPS in several AAA titles
✅ A sleek game-focused interface
✅ Lightweight performance with less system overhead
✅ Linux-based freedom and customizability
However:
- SteamOS has limited support for non-Steam games (e.g., Epic Games, Game Pass)
- Setup may be tricky for users unfamiliar with Linux
- Driver support for NVIDIA GPUs is generally weaker than AMD on Linux
Still, for AMD users and Steam gamers, it’s a compelling option.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I dual-boot SteamOS and Windows?
Yes, you can dual-boot if you install them on separate partitions. Use GRUB or a boot manager.
Q2: Does SteamOS support all Steam games?
Most games work well using Proton, but some anti-cheat protected games might have issues.
Q3: What about NVIDIA users?
SteamOS works better with AMD GPUs due to open-source driver support. NVIDIA drivers on Linux are improving but still lag behind.
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🔖 Hashtags:
#SteamOS #GamingPerformance #FPSComparison #Windows11VsSteamOS #LowBudgetGaming #DellXPS8930 #LinuxGaming #RadeonProW5700 #SteamDeckOS #GameBenchmarks
Disclaimer:
All benchmarks and performance data in this article were captured using identical hardware, game settings, and test conditions. However, results may vary based on future software updates, driver changes, or hardware differences. Always test on your own setup to confirm performance for your specific use case.
