Amongst the various types of gaming computers, the steam deck computer stands out because of its compact size and ability to be played on the go. Moreover, it can be connected to a monitor in the same manner as the Nintendo Switch.
Game compatibility
Whether you’re in the market for a Steam Deck computer game or simply want to check the compatibility of a game you’re interested in buying, there are a few ways you can do so. You can either search through the library to see if a game has been tested or you can find out whether a game is compatible by going to the Steam Deck Compatibility website.
To start, you’ll want to log into your Steam account. Once you’re logged in, you’ll see a special webpage where you can sign up. If you’re a developer, you can go through the compatibility checklist and publish a new build. You can also ask for a re-review.
As for a list of games that work on the Steam Deck, the good news is that you can look up a wide range of titles. Valve’s compatibility checklist includes four main criteria: performance, onscreen keyboard, controller support, and native resolution. If a game has all of the required features, it will be listed as a Verified title.
Besides a Verified status, Steam Deck is also capable of handling games that haven’t been reviewed by Valve. These games are known as Unsupported titles. These titles are not currently playable on the Deck, but may be supported in the future. These games might have low performance, unacceptable control schemes, or software incompatibility.
You can check a game’s compatibility by hovering over the thumbnail of a game. You’ll see a symbol in the top right corner of the thumbnail that indicates the compatibility of the game. If the symbol is a green checkmark, it means the game is compatible. If the symbol is a question mark in a dotted circle, it means the game is unsupported.
The best way to determine whether a game is compatible with the Deck is to use the Deck tool. It’s an automatic program that will add new games as they get reviewed. To install the Deck tool, you’ll need to log into your Steam account. You’ll then be given a guide.
If a game passes a Steam Deck compatibility test, it will automatically have a blue ‘i’ in a yellow circle. You can also go to the Steam Deck Compatibility page to see what’s involved in the review process.
Storage configurations
Unlike a standard computer, Steam Deck does not have the ability to upgrade its internal storage. However, the unit does support expandable storage, allowing you to add a micro SD card or an external SSD to provide additional storage.
The unit comes with 64GB of eMMC NAND storage and an optional 512GB of NVMe SSD. All models support the use of microSD cards. You can also install games to the internal SSD. You can also use an external USB drive to add more storage. Using an external drive requires you to switch into desktop mode and mount the drive before you can use it.
The 256GB model is best if you plan on playing AAA games. If you are playing puzzle or visual novels, you may not need as much storage. This version is a good value.
You can purchase an external drive that has a USB Type C port. You will need to set it up every time you connect it. You will need to format it as NTFS, and you will need to mount it with a Linux terminal. You will need an administrator password to use this feature.
You can also buy an external SSD that uses Deck’s preferred ext4 file system. You will need to format the external drive with an administrator password before you can use it.
Steam Deck supports SFTP and FTP connections. You can use these connections to transfer files from your PC to the device. This allows you to play games from your computer’s library to your console.
You can also connect an external hard drive to the USB-C port on the back of the unit. You will need to format the drive as NTFS. The drive will not automatically show up as available storage in SteamOS. You will need to return to gaming mode to use it.
The best way to increase the storage capacity of your Steam Deck is by adding an external SSD. The unit’s microSD card slot is high-speed, enabling you to read a 100MB/s transfer rate. Depending on your game’s requirements, you can choose from a 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB external card.
Gaming performance
Using the Steam Deck, gamers can experience a console-like experience on the go. The device is powered by a powerful AMD Aerith APU, which includes four Ryzen Zen 2 CPU cores. This processor is paired with a Radeon RDNA 2 graphics chip with eight compute units. This chip is also equipped with spatial upscaling technology that sacrifices visual quality.
The deck is also equipped with two square haptic touchpads. These touchpads mimic the touchpads on a Linux desktop.
The Deck uses the Linux-based SteamOS, which has been designed to fit its hardware. This operating system gives users quick access to settings, including the ability to switch between primary and secondary displays. In addition, the OS supports the entire Steam library.
In terms of battery life, the Deck performs well, with a three-hour battery life at 100%. During gameplay, the battery timing dropped to 46%. However, it can be improved with a few simple settings.
When you play games on the Deck, you can limit your display’s TDP to conserve battery life. This feature is especially beneficial in memory-limited games.
To get started with adjusting performance options, click the Quick Access button. This will open a menu with several options. The icons indicate which sections of the menu are available. This menu will help you set your preferred display configuration, as well as connect your peripherals.
Another feature of the Quick Access menu is the ability to create game-specific performance profiles. In this way, you can optimize the performance of individual games. For example, you may want to limit the TDP in Horizon Zero Dawn, which is a game that takes up 73GB of space. It’s a good idea to do this to preserve battery life and maintain stable frames.
Steam Deck is an excellent option for gamers who are looking for a portable gaming machine. It’s lightweight and easy to carry, and has a good design. Although it’s not quite as powerful as a PC or Xbox, it’s capable of playing most games. It also includes a Google Chrome web browser, which is great for a mobile device.
Price
Despite its price, Steam Deck is a solid option for PC gamers who want to play their games on the go. The device is built to run Valve’s Steam platform, giving users access to their game library. They can also play Linux-based games on the machine, as well as download other software and storefronts.
Steam Deck will be available in three different models. The base model costs $399 and comes with 64GB of eMMC storage. The top-end model, which costs $649, includes 512GB of NVMe storage. The units are designed to support MicroSD card expansion.
There’s also a dedicated docking station for the system, which can connect to a TV. The unit also has a USB-C port, making it compatible with external hard drives.
The unit features RDNA 2 graphics, which is the same architecture as team red’s best graphics cards. It is also a low-power design. It can handle most new games at 30 frames per second at native screen resolution. The CPU is a custom AMD APU, which is comparable to a Zen 2 laptop processor.
It is available in three different models, which all feature 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage. You can expand that by adding a MicroSD card, or purchase a 512GB model for faster-loading SSDs.
The machine also supports AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution upscaling. This helps boost performance, but it doesn’t look as crisp when upscaling to 1080p. The GPU has an integrated 8-core RDNA 2 design, which is the same architecture used in the PS5 and Radeon graphics cards.
Steam Deck is available for pre-order in select regions. To reserve the device, customers must make a $5 deposit. If they cancel their reservation within 30 days of ordering, they will receive a refund to their payment method. They will also receive notification of when stock is available. The unit is expected to start shipping in February.
Steam Deck is an ideal choice for indie and single player games, as well as for hobbyists who like to mess with Linux. It’s a powerful device next to the Nintendo Switch, but it won’t rival a full-fledged desktop computer. It’s also a great option for PC gamers who don’t want to spend over $1,000 for a gaming laptop.