Steam Link Help Request

[vinnyborne95]

Hello everyone, probably the problem I encountered will be quite trivial, yet I need some advice.
I enabled the option that allows me to play steam on my android device, but the problem that grips me is another.
The computer indicated above is not exactly mine, but belongs to my father, and when he is around I absolutely cannot use it, I tried to connect steam link while using elden ring, in the requirements it is required that the host is actually starting the game, so I assumed that by keeping the computer active I could play while my father was doing his business, but in the meantime I tried to change Windows account, the steam link screen went from the game to the account change screen, now a question arises spontaneously: is it impossible to connect steam link to my user's session, while my father uses the PC to do his things, or will I have to abstain, will I have to give up and use one of the cloud gaming available? Is it not possible to control that game screen while I change the Windows account without disconnecting the user associated with the game session? Does Steam have to be connected to that screen to work? Isn't it possible to create a virtual machine? Many thanks

[Ettanin]

Steam Link does not support a multi-user environment for streaming. As it is a screen and sound scraper as well as input device emulator, it needs the game to be streamed to be the active application context (that means the active window) to work.

[vinnyborne95]

Originally posted by Ettanin:

Steam Link does not support a multi-user environment for streaming. As it is a screen and sound scraper as well as input device emulator, it needs the game to be streamed to be the active application context (that means the active window) to work.

Thank you for your instant reply, it is unheard of that it is not possible to be able to transmit a certain game session while another probable session is active at the same time, I do not have enough financial resources to afford a subscription currently that allows me to play PC games on a different device, and I do not think in the least that I can ask my family for help, the only cloud gaming that support steam AND could allow me to play as elden ring are boosteroid and another, and monthly it costs 10-15 euros per month (13 dollars) and I currently have no resources.
I have a fairly crappy laptop, but that would not allow me to play it even at the minimum settings, is there no possibility of being able to use steam link on another laptop without having to exploit the hardware features of that PC? A function? My only lifeline is really having to buy a Cloud gaming subscription? Thank you.

[ReBoot]

You can use virtualization to run 2 entirely different sessions on the host PC. You'll have to pass the GPU through to the VM for this to work who is possible. Refer to the Steam streaming forum for more detail (or read up on "GPU pass-through" online).

[Ettanin]

Originally posted by ReBoot:

You can use virtualization to run 2 entirely different sessions on the host PC. You'll have to pass the GPU through to the VM for this to work who is possible. Refer to the Steam streaming forum for more detail (or read up on "GPU pass-through" online).

Note that this requires two GPUs (one for the host system, one for the VM). OP MIGHT be in luck if the CPU comes with an integrated one. GPU passthrough cannot be performed if the GPU is shared between host system and VM.

Keep in mind that games that use kernel level anti-cheats do not like to be run from within a VM, this includes Elden Ring.

[GatoFang]

OK

[vinnyborne95]

Originally posted by ReBoot:

You can use virtualization to run 2 entirely different sessions on the host PC. You'll have to pass the GPU through to the VM for this to work who is possible. Refer to the Steam streaming forum for more detail (or read up on "GPU pass-through" online).

Even though I'm not a complete expert on a more sophisticated and complex use of a PC, oh at least I'm referring to functions outside of my knowledge, I'm absolutely sure that I've already activated the function for the vm in the bios some time ago, I'm already able to create a virtual machine, the point is: is there a guide out there that completely relies on what I want to do in the smallest details? I don't have two GPUs, the user above indicated that two GPUs are needed, unless the CPU has an integrated graphics card, I have an intel core i7 4770k, of which the aforementioned cpu has an integrated hd graphics 4600 if I'm not mistaken, if not sorry and I'm not bothering you, is there a guide in detail of what I should do? Thanks a lot

[Ettanin]

Originally posted by vinnyborne95:

I have an intel core i7 4770k

You're out of luck. The i7-4770K does not support VT-d which is required for IOMMU interrupt remapping which in turn is required for GPU/PCIe passthrough to work.

One limited alternative, albeit with a long queue time, session time limit of 1 hour and with adverts on the side, could be nVidia GeForce Now which is free. Otherwise, nVidia offers two subscriptions for 11 euros (standard, normal queue time, 6 hours session limit) and 22 euros (better GPUs, short queue time, 8 hours session limit) a month. Note though that GFN doesn't support every title on Steam. As far as I know, there's no other free alternative out there.

[egs]

Originally posted by Ettanin:

Originally posted by vinnyborne95:

I have an intel core i7 4770k

You're out of luck. The i7-4770K does not support VT-d which is required for IOMMU interrupt remapping which in turn is required for GPU/PCIe passthrough to work.

One limited alternative, albeit with a long queue time, session time limit of 1 hour and with adverts on the side, could be nVidia GeForce Now which is free. Otherwise, nVidia offers two subscriptions for 11 euros (standard, normal queue time, 6 hours session limit) and 22 euros (better GPUs, short queue time, 8 hours session limit) a month. Note though that GFN doesn't support every title on Steam. As far as I know, there's no other free alternative out there.

IOMMU works since ~Sandy Bridge, the support depends on the motherboard firmware, but AVIC and posted interrupts do not, even with modern (intel) consumer models, which is a requirement to have low latency experience.
No matter what, the most popular multiplayer games except a few are closed for VM users. And I would avoid doing any work while never updated games with a lot of flaws are running on the machine which has too many CPU flaws which cause data leaks.
A separate game-specific system on i3 12100 is a more adequate solution.

[egs]

Originally posted by vinnyborne95:

Originally posted by ReBoot:

You can use virtualization to run 2 entirely different sessions on the host PC. You'll have to pass the GPU through to the VM for this to work who is possible. Refer to the Steam streaming forum for more detail (or read up on "GPU pass-through" online).

Even though I'm not a complete expert on a more sophisticated and complex use of a PC, oh at least I'm referring to functions outside of my knowledge, I'm absolutely sure that I've already activated the function for the vm in the bios some time ago, I'm already able to create a virtual machine, the point is: is there a guide out there that completely relies on what I want to do in the smallest details? I don't have two GPUs, the user above indicated that two GPUs are needed, unless the CPU has an integrated graphics card, I have an intel core i7 4770k, of which the aforementioned cpu has an integrated hd graphics 4600 if I'm not mistaken, if not sorry and I'm not bothering you, is there a guide in detail of what I should do? Thanks a lot

That would require a deep dive into Linux world. And, likely, your father may need to use it for his tasks too. Yes, you can run 2 Windows VMs, but iGPU has poor IOMMU support, so you would need a second discrete graphics adapter, and at least 2 monitors.

[Ettanin]

Originally posted by egs:

IOMMU works since ~Sandy Bridge

The K variant CPUs have this specifically disabled until the i7-6700K which is when Intel introduced it again.