Recent benchmarks from hardware reviewer ETA Prime suggest that Valve’s new Steam Machine performs similarly when running Windows 11 compared to its native SteamOS. While the console is specifically optimized for Linux, the release of official Windows drivers allows users to explore Microsoft’s operating system for expanded software compatibility.
Key takeaways
- Windows 11 demonstrates a significant 22% lead in multi-core performance benchmarks.
- Gaming performance remains largely comparable between the two operating systems across various resolutions.
- Windows 11 shows a slight performance advantage in specific GPU-heavy 4K gaming scenarios.
- Valve does not provide official technical support for Windows installations on the hardware.
Performance and synthetic results
When testing the Steam Machine in desktop environments, the differences between operating systems become more apparent. In Geekbench 6, Windows 11 showed a substantial 22% lead in multi-core performance compared to SteamOS. Reviewers suggest this delta may be due to how SteamOS manages hardware resources in desktop mode, often prioritizing efficiency over raw multi-core throughput. While these synthetic gains are impressive, they do not always translate into linear performance improvements in every application.
Gaming performance analysis
In real-world gaming scenarios, the performance gap between Windows 11 and SteamOS is often negligible. Tests conducted in titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered show that both systems trade blows. Windows 11 frequently maintains a slight edge at 4K resolution, likely due to more mature GPU driver utilization in certain scenarios. Conversely, SteamOS often performs competitively or even outperforms Windows at 1440p, indicating that the choice of operating system is not a simple matter of raw power.
Is Windows 11 worth it?
While the performance parity is a testament to the efficiency of both platforms, installing Windows 11 on a Steam Machine remains a niche choice. The primary benefit of moving to Windows is not a massive boost in frame rates, but rather compatibility. Users who rely on specific Windows-only applications or games with anti-cheat software that does not support Linux will find the most value here. However, potential users should be aware that Valve does not offer support for Windows, and the drivers provided are intended to be used as-is, which could lead to complications with future game releases.