How good is the steam deck

[red cardinal]

I am planning to get the steam deck oled and if I get enough money I might be able to get the steam deck oled with the storage size of 1 tb and I wanna know if it’s worth so I can bring it on vacations

[morrisseyshair]

If you're intending to use it solely as a handheld gaming device, it's worth it. It is not a PC replacement by any stretch of the imagination. If you use it docked you'll notice its limitations pretty quickly.

[xSOSxHawkens]

Personally, I think yes. OLED LE owner.

That said, go in with proper expectations, its a machine that does 720p-800p gaming @ low to medium settings and 30-45fps on major AAA titles. That said it typically runs at those settings with very stable frame times (so no hitching or stuttering) and with a very smooth feel at the 90Hz OLED can do 2:1 or 3:1 frame doubling at both those frame rates. Basically, it still feels good to play.

If you are more into competitive play you can typically bottom the settings and get closer to 60 or 90fps, and allot is down to the games.

Starfield is mostly 30fps, but can get as low as 20-25 (think inside the lounge in Neon) or as high as 50-60 (think bare planets). I keep it locked at 30 for best battery run time and most consistent play experiance.

Halo Infinite I run at mixed medium settings with some lows and get a solid 45fps, and keep it at that. Its more than enough for a smooth feel of play and gives great run times (think 3-4hrs play).

Halo MCC - I run 60fps if running new enhanced graphics, if running classic it hits 90. Can do 90 on enhanced too, but want best run times, can get 4+ hrs.

Things like gunfire reborn are mostly maxed and pull 90 solid so long as the system is not CPU limited by number of things on screen etc.

Overall I have been quite happy. I bought one for my dad, who will be using it as one of his main gaming options (and his only real PC option, his PC "console") and wanted to know what it was like to use one as a main stay. When I got mine I used it as my daily driver for all gaming for over two weeks. Coming from an R9-5950x/6900xt I was not unhappy.

Was it the same? Not at all.
Was it darn amazing for a system drawing less than 1/10th the power of my main GPU alone? Absolutely.
Did it hold up to all the gaming sessions I tossed at it including multiplayer? Yes (nearly, MCC co-op is broken, but thats a MS thing not a Steam Deck thing).

[Ovae]

Anyone use it with Cities Skylines 2 ?

[Mailer]

Originally posted by gamer:

Anyone use it with Cities Skylines 2 ?

https://www.protondb.com/app/949230
Filter the results for SteamOS to see Steam Deck reports.
It's a mixed bag.

[The_Abortionator]

It punches above its belt thats for sure but is not a magic device by any means.

I would say its a very suitable gaming machine for its price point.

[The_Abortionator]

Originally posted by morrisseyshair:

If you're intending to use it solely as a handheld gaming device, it's worth it. It is not a PC replacement by any stretch of the imagination. If you use it docked you'll notice its limitations pretty quickly.

What do you mean by not a PC replacement? It literally is a PC.

[Haruspex]

It is excellent.

However, potential buyers should be vigilant and do their research. The Steam Deck is very very good at what it does, but if you buy it expecting it to do something it was never meant to do, you will come away disappointed.

The Steam Deck is not a desktop replacement. Although it has a full desktop interface and you aren't restricted to running just Steam games, it's really better suited for use as a handheld gaming system. You can throw it on a dock and plug a monitor, mouse and keyboard up to it, and it does work well in this configuration, but if that's the primary reason you're thinking of getting it, there are much better devices for that. A laptop if you are in need of the portability, and a desktop PC if you aren't.

The Steam Deck cannot be compared in performance to a powerful desktop gaming PC. It's great, but it's still a battery powered, handheld device with a 15 watt APU at it's core. If you are the type who is unable to enjoy your games unless they're running on Ultra at 4K with Raytracing turned on, you will not be happy with the Steam Deck. Modern AAA games are largely going to be 30 fps experiences on low settings. Slightly older AAA experiences can potentially run on high at 60 fps, depending on the game. Surprisingly you can turn on raytracing in some select titles like Doom Eternal and Control, and it runs better than you might expect like that, but for the sake of framerate and battery life I think it's better with it off.

The Steam Deck is running Linux with all the pros and cons of that. You can install Windows, but that's a less than optimal experience and it's really just better running it's native SteamOS. Because it's running Linux, there are some games it cannot run. Do not get a Steam Deck if you expect to play Fortnite, Destiny 2, or COD, among a number of other multiplayer titles with aggressive anti-cheat. That said I would say about 70% of the entire Steam library "just runs". Another 20% will run fine with a tweak or two. The final 10% doesn't run... yet. Proton is a constantly evolving beast and what doesn't run today may very well run tomorrow.

At first, I would recommend you stick largely to "Steam Deck Verified" titles. These are games that have been tested by Valve to work well on the Steam Deck, and you're basically guaranteed a smooth, console-like experience running these games. Later, you can branch out and try other games. Many games just work even if they are marked as unsupported. ProtonDB[www.protondb.com] is a great resource to learn what games work, what games don't, and what tweaks you need to apply to get certain games going.

While you're researching, remember, the Steam Deck has sold millions, and people who post about their experience online usually aren't the ones who are having no problems. Most of the posts you'll find are from people looking for solutions to issues they have, but for every one having issues there are countless who are having no problems. I have three Steam Decks myself. Two LCD models for my wife and son, and I have an OLED. All of ours have been great.

You'll also find a few very vocal people on these forums and other places like Youtube and Reddit who have some baffling vendetta against Valve and the Steam Deck. They'll take every opportunity they can to spread FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt) about the Deck and dissuade undecided potential buyers away from the device. I have no idea what their motive is for this, but they can be very... prolific. I'm not saying to ignore criticism, but if you notice someone seems to be a bit too critical, just be wary.

[Ovae]

Originally posted by Haruspex:

It is excellent.

However, potential buyers should be vigilant and do their research. The Steam Deck is very very good at what it does, but if you buy it expecting it to do something it was never meant to do, you will come away disappointed.

The Steam Deck is not a desktop replacement. Although it has a full desktop interface and you aren't restricted to running just Steam games, it's really better suited for use as a handheld gaming system. You can throw it on a dock and plug a monitor, mouse and keyboard up to it, and it does work well in this configuration, but if that's the primary reason you're thinking of getting it, there are much better devices for that. A laptop if you are in need of the portability, and a desktop PC if you aren't.

The Steam Deck cannot be compared in performance to a powerful desktop gaming PC. It's great, but it's still a battery powered, handheld device with a 15 watt APU at it's core. If you are the type who is unable to enjoy your games unless they're running on Ultra at 4K with Raytracing turned on, you will not be happy with the Steam Deck. Modern AAA games are largely going to be 30 fps experiences on low settings. Slightly older AAA experiences can potentially run on high at 60 fps, depending on the game. Surprisingly you can turn on raytracing in some select titles like Doom Eternal and Control, and it runs better than you might expect like that, but for the sake of framerate and battery life I think it's better with it off.

The Steam Deck is running Linux with all the pros and cons of that. You can install Windows, but that's a less than optimal experience and it's really just better running it's native SteamOS. Because it's running Linux, there are some games it cannot run. Do not get a Steam Deck if you expect to play Fortnite, Destiny 2, or COD, among a number of other multiplayer titles with aggressive anti-cheat. That said I would say about 70% of the entire Steam library "just runs". Another 20% will run fine with a tweak or two. The final 10% doesn't run... yet. Proton is a constantly evolving beast and what doesn't run today may very well run tomorrow.

At first, I would recommend you stick largely to "Steam Deck Verified" titles. These are games that have been tested by Valve to work well on the Steam Deck, and you're basically guaranteed a smooth, console-like experience running these games. Later, you can branch out and try other games. Many games just work even if they are marked as unsupported. ProtonDB[www.protondb.com] is a great resource to learn what games work, what games don't, and what tweaks you need to apply to get certain games going.

While you're researching, remember, the Steam Deck has sold millions, and people who post about their experience online usually aren't the ones who are having no problems. Most of the posts you'll find are from people looking for solutions to issues they have, but for every one having issues there are countless who are having no problems. I have three Steam Decks myself. Two LCD models for my wife and son, and I have an OLED. All of ours have been great.

You'll also find a few very vocal people on these forums and other places like Youtube and Reddit who have some baffling vendetta against Valve and the Steam Deck. They'll take every opportunity they can to spread FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt) about the Deck and dissuade undecided potential buyers away from the device. I have no idea what their motive is for this, but they can be very... prolific. I'm not saying to ignore criticism, but if you notice someone seems to be a bit too critical, just be wary.

All very good points!

Thank you.

[Agent]

It's better than the Nintendo Switch.... Would I buy one though? No. I don't want underpowered hardware. I want to crank up settings and get 60 + fps at 1440p.

[morrisseyshair]

Originally posted by The_Abortionator:

Originally posted by morrisseyshair:

If you're intending to use it solely as a handheld gaming device, it's worth it. It is not a PC replacement by any stretch of the imagination. If you use it docked you'll notice its limitations pretty quickly.

What do you mean by not a PC replacement? It literally is a PC.

It's an underpowered PC. If you have a gaming PC a Steam Deck isn't going to make the gaming PC redundant. It can't compete.

[🦜Cloud Boy🦜]

Steam Deck runs new AAA games at Low settings 30 fps,
It has 16 GB RAM in total, which includes system RAM and VRAM.
If you are okay with it, it's a good machine.

ROG Ally is also a good alternative. It's more powerful, but also more expensive.

[HypersleepyNaputunia]

if i didnt have switch id def have oled sd

[Electric Cupcake]

Originally posted by 🦜Cloud Boy🦜:

Steam Deck runs new AAA games at Low settings 30 fps,
It has 16 GB RAM in total, which includes system RAM and VRAM.
If you are okay with it, it's a good machine.

ROG Ally is also a good alternative. It's more powerful, but also more expensive.

ROG put the left controls upside down. Speak not of those barbarians.

[The_Abortionator]

Originally posted by Stacked:

It's better than the Nintendo Switch.... Would I buy one though? No. I don't want underpowered hardware. I want to crank up settings and get 60 + fps at 1440p.

Cool. Now lets switch Steam deck with a low/mid range PC in this little quip and PRESTO! its sounds kinda stupid.

Its a $400 gaming machine, trying to criticize it for not competing with more expensive machines is a nothing more than a 101 level class in clownery.

I have a 7950x, 7900xt, 32GB 6400 RAM, 8TB worth of NVME, a 1440p 240hz monitor AND a Steam deck and I have to say for $400 theres no beating it. Hooked it up to my 4k TV for my lady's sister to use for L4D2 and it looked (from the couches distance) native 4k. Even close up there was just a 2~3 pixel thick halo around some objects. And GTA5 did about the same, both 60FPS.

For what it is supposed to be its doing damn fine.

[Revelene]

Despite the random quirks and issues, it is a great handheld with better gaming performance than any laptop i've seen at that price point. Plenty of games play at more than acceptable graphical levels, and if a game struggles natively, then I stream it from my main computer.