Steam Machine Owners Get Windows 11 Option Without Sacrificing Performance

Valve has officially released Windows drivers for its latest Steam Machine, allowing owners to install Windows 11 with full support for graphics, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Guru3D reported that the move turns the Steam Machine into a capable Windows gaming PC, expanding the device's operating system flexibility beyond the native SteamOS.

Guru3DValve Official Windows Drivers Turn Steam Machine into a Capable Windows Gaming PC

Early benchmarks from YouTube channel ETA Prime, covered by multiple outlets, suggest that the performance gap between the two operating systems is negligible in most real-world gaming scenarios. TechSpot reported that games running on the Steam Machine via Windows 11 mostly achieved framerates similar to SteamOS, with only a few frames per second separating them. PCMag noted that Windows actually ran slightly faster overall in the tests, though each OS had its preferred benchmarks and game settings.

2 sources

TechSpotSteam Machine benchmarks show SteamOS and Windows 11 within a few frames of each other in most gamesPCMagWindows Runs Slightly Faster Than SteamOS on the Steam Machine

"It's pretty competitive, with each having its preferred benchmarks and game settings, but it means Steam Machine owners will have more options for their operating system."

This finding is significant for users who may prefer Windows for broader game compatibility or specific software. VideoCardz highlighted that the tests included a RAM upgrade from 16GB to 64GB, which could have a minor impact on results, but the overall takeaway is that drivers are now mature enough to make Windows a viable alternative.

VideoCardzSteam Machine benchmarked with Windows 11, performance stays close to SteamOS

The performance parity also reflects well on SteamOS. By keeping pace with a mature operating system like Windows 11, Valve demonstrates that its Linux-based platform is a serious contender for PC gaming. As PCMag phrased it, the outcome "could be considered a win for both OS developers," giving Steam Machine owners the freedom to choose without a significant performance penalty.