Can a Steam Deck Replace a Computer?

One of the amazing features of the Steam Deck, in addition to its size and portability, is its ability to be used as a gaming system. So with the right tools, you Can connect it to a monitor and turn your console into a personal computer using a mouse and keyboard. The Steam Deck uses a modified version of Linux that has fewer features than Windows. However, the main question is what are the benefits of using this feature and in general whether it Can be used as a computer or not. Fortunately, according to published reports, this console Can look a lot like an affordable PC, but that shouldn't be your reason for buying it.

Getting Started

You will enter the desktop mode after the initial connections. By default, the device's operating system considers the console screen as the primary display and the monitor as the secondary display, so you must go to the display configuration settings to change the settings. However, this Can be easily done by hitting the Windows key, typing the display and selecting Display Configuration. The desktop mode may be Linux, but with a taskbar, a Start menu, and it's very similar to the Windows 10 desktop. Additionally, there will be a shortcut to Steam on the desktop, and opening it is similar to the Windows version. However, you must adhere to 1080p resolution to run games. Although the console is more powerful than cell phones or Nintendo Switch, its CPU power to run games with more pixels is questionable. For example, Horizon Zero Down was able to deliver an average frame rate of 40 by running on the console screen. By connecting the console to a monitor with a resolution of 1080p, this amount was reduced to 26 frames per second. God of War runs similarly, normally at 35 frames per second at 1080p, up to 20 frames per second.

Wolfenstein frame rate also dropped from 60 to 35 to 45 at 1080p. In general, it Can be said that many games have poorer performance in desktop mode, however, by changing the graphic settings of the games, these problems Can be solved to some extent. Battle Royale Apex Legends, for example, Can reach 30 frames per second at minimum graphics settings, but Can run at 65 frames per second. On the other hand, Alden Ring Can be experienced in most cases with a frame rate higher than 30, thanks to updates. Crysis remaster frame rates also range from 30 to 40.

In desktop mode, the Steam Deck Can also rely on FidelityFX Super Resolution technology. Although this technology does not significantly change the quality of visual effects on large screens, but it is effective in terms of performance. Horizon Zero Down and God of War, for example, achieved 34 and 30 frames, respectively, with a slight reduction in quality. On the other hand, the presence of a mouse and keyboard makes the experience of games like Dota 2, which play well but are not compatible with the console controller, more enjoyable. It is worth mentioning that the mentioned game offers the rate of 30 and 50 frames in two different graphic modes.

That SteamDec has to work on some software issues through various updates before it Can become its best version. For the price of a console, gaming may seem like a cost-effective game in desktop mode, but it works hard to hide its limitations. However, in manual mode with its powerful hardware, it will not disappoint you in any way.

Source: Rock Paper Shotgun