SteamOS CONSOLE: the BEST gaming experience, but not worth it

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#steamdeck #steam #linuxgaming

00:00 Intro
00:45 Sponsor: Secure your internet connection
01:43 What I wanted from this SteamOS Console
02:48 Console in name only
04:39 The specs
06:03 SteamOS / HoloISO: not easy
11:40 Performance: top notch
14:10 Not worth it, but I love it!
15:51 Support the channel

I went for a Micro ATX PC, which means that, yes, it doesn't look like a console, but it was easy to install the GPU, it has ample room for cooling, and it sort of fits in my TV cabinet, so who cares. It's a Tuxedo Cube.

So here I have an intel core i7 12700,. I have 32Gigs of 3200Mhz RAM, I have a 1TB PCIE4 SSD, with a 750W modular power supply. For the GPU, I got a Radeon 6650XT off Amazon for 300 euros.
The total cost is a bit less than 1400€, which isn't cheap.

On it, I installed HoloISO, which had issues:
First, the default kernel they pick doesn't work with a lot of hardware, it lacks support for a bunch of things, so I had no Wifi and no Bluetooth support. Fortunately, they also ship with the holoiso kernel, which is more mainline, and does support a lot more things. You can select it during boot, with GRUB.

So I turned to the controversial Grub customizer, that's a graphical app that lets you tweak your grub boot options. HoloISO, like SteamOS, is based on Arch, but they don't really ship a correct pacman config with the correct repos, so I had to manually edit the pacman config to add the necessary repos to it, and then run a full system update, followed by the install of Grub Customizer.

And it flat out didn't work, it couldn't open the grub config file. That's because that file is preconfigured with conditions to boot with specific options on certain devices. I just commented all these conditions, and then Grub Customizer managed to open the file, and I could set the HoloISO kernel as the default boot option.

All games ran at 720P max. Of course, a simple web search gave me the answer, it's because SteamOS is meant for the steam deck, but you can change all that in the game's properties to select the max resolution you'll allow.

Then, the performance was horrible. I couldn't manage 1080p60 in Spiderman at medium details, Jedi Fallen Order had to run at 768p on medium to even get close to 60FPS, it was a mess, and this system should have been able to give me a lot more.

After a few hours of looking online, I found a solution: some AMD cards on Linux run in low power mode by default, and don't move to full power when you need them to.

But how's the performance then? Well, I can play virtually everything at least at 1440P, max settings at a smooth 60FPS.

I've completed a full playthrough of Spiderman, also running at 1440p high settings, upscaled to 4K through in game FSR. I've played about 13h of Cyberpunk at max details, 1440p upscaled to 4K through the in game FSR, with sharpness turned to the max, and it maintains 60FPS no problem, even when driving around in the city.

I played about a third of Red Dead Redemption 2, also running at 1440p, high settings, upscaled to 4K through HoloISO, at a smooth 60 fps as well. Everything can run at 4K High details, from 50 to 60 FPS.

And so this makes this console a better performer than a PS5, because PS5 rarely runs AAA games at 4K60, generally, if you want 4K high details, you're using quality mode, and you're running at 30FPS, not 60.

The performance mode on PS5 generally runs games at 1440p, and either medium or high details.

Cost wise, compared to a PS5, it's very expensive for a marginal visual improvement. And yet, I love it, and I plan to play everything I can on this and not on the PS5.

Because it runs Linux, and I love Linux. It also works with an Xbox controller, which I prefer to the dualsense 5. Also, my game library is mostly in Steam these days. I can also start a playthrough on my TV, and then pick up my Steam Deck, make sure my saves are synced, and go play on that outside, or in bed, or on holidays.

[MrCarabryne]

You did not take into account the fact that the PS5 is sold for cheap by Sony because they make a huge markup on the games, whereas PC games can be had for much cheaper, so on the long run, the PC SteamOS machines becomes more financially sensible, on top of the fact that you don't have to pay for multiplayer, and that you can upgrade it with new components.

[adfury]

Couple of things.
1. Is legacy support. Each console manufacturer can't guarantee that they will support last Gen titles. Not even from a technical aspect. It's a licensing thing.

2: mod support and workshop features. The consoles are still behind on that too.

[paladingeorge]

You gotta admit...SteamOS is a pretty good console/hybrid OS. I really hope they release it for broader use sometime soon.

[Mikuru-inkings]

It might not be wort it, but it's Linux.

[WaifuLife]

This is why I'll be waiting for the official SteamOS. Let's hope we'll get it before the Windows 10 End of Life.

[MArKiTo]

I also have a Steam console. I run ChimeraOS on it without any issues. Wireless XBox controllers worked out of the box, steam controller as well. Even wii controllers work fine for emulation of wii games. After the installation I didn't need a keyboard or mouse anymore. Perfect console experience.

[BUDA]

I did a "console" in the ~2000, it was for emulation and multimedia, the awesome thing about it, was the ability to just take it to a friend house, plug any usb controllers and play pretty much all Arcade and 2D games of the 90s

[appsaucetech]

Man I love linux. The community, support, and most of all stability performance and security! I was so glad when they released the steam deck l, which runs arch. It brought so much people to linux and support for most things have sped up significantly. Love your videos and continue on with the awesome open source news.

[thingsiplay]

We need the ability to dock an external GPU to the Steam Deck. While the CPU wouldn't get upgraded this way, it would make lot of things easier too without building and maintaining an additional PC. A Dock with GPU could stay connected to the TV and you could dock your Steam Deck anytime to transform it into a more capable computer. I wonder what the performance would be. Hopefully the future Steam Deck 2 can do that.

[RyanWAFFELYoung]

The sync between PC and steamdeck is the biggest draw. It's also the main reason I play Zelda totk on emualtor rather than my switch, because I can play it on my PC, then using syncthing, pick up my deck and pick up the same save file on my lunch break at work. I'm still playing on my desktop, but definitely miss gamescope, which also fixes some games inability for steam to hook in controller support. I'm sure there's a way to add a gamescope instance to the logon, I just haven't delved into that.

[pascalvorbach]

I did build a dedicated PC for the same reason as well. I got me a
Ryzen 5 5600
16gb RAM
256tb nvme SSD
Rx6600xt

I did choose Chimera OS, since the Holo OS build didn't let me update the system 🤷🏼‍♂️. Works pretty great for me.

[snafuu]

At 3:36 there is still the cases slot cover over the second slot of the GPU. If you want to keep using this system in this configuration you might want to remove this as it reduces airflow and might make the GPU louder or run hotter than otherwise.

[mglsj]

Going up to a 6700 series card would definitely smooth gaming performance, as they are currently very cheap.

[linuxretrogamer]

I did this over a year a go. Been running HoloISO for around 18 months now. The initial build cost me around £1100. More tgan double the cost of the Series X I ditched for this set up...

And...

It has been more than worth it!

Why?

- No PS Plus, XBox Live, Gamepass subscriptions.
- I can fully backup game files for all games downloaded
- Steam Sales
- Emulation.

Seriously, emulation!

I essentually have Pong, Atari 2600, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Amiga, SNES, PS1, Win98SE, XBox, XBox 360, PS3, and Steam versions of PS4, PS4Pro and Series X titles. All in one box. Instantly accessible from the HDD. From one nice games console UI. Using a Steam Controller.

[TheRandomGuyTheFarNoGameCat]

This makes me want Launchbox to FINALLY come to Linux even more.

[MyurrDurr]

You can set the resolution for each game in their properties to "Native" and it will automatically use the highest resolution of whatever you plug the computer into!

Which is great on the Deck for me because I Dock it pretty often and games automatically run at 1080p and then 800p when not docked without needing to change anything

[xard]

Considering that you got this far with the project using only deck + community resources I bet it wouldn't be that monumental task anymore for Valve to make a comparable but affordable and polished product.

[KiiaBite]

Just recently discovered your video. No idea how I've not found your channel before. Your videos are fantastic, this one included. From someone who has ran Linux (Debian) as my daily driver throughout COVID, thank you!

[samzick]

What's even better than a console attached to the TV is a "Game Server". Sunshine and Moonlight is perfect, because you can essentially play from any screen in your house! Mine is rack-mounted on my network rack.

[gigalodon]

For anyone thinking about doing this themselves: You can get pre-built PCs with the same or even better performance for much less money. The only thing that might not always be linux compatible is the bluetooth, but even if so you can just get a 10-20€ dongle