When it comes to choosing between SteamOS and Windows for gaming on dedicated GPUs, the decision is far from straightforward—and the results might just surprise you. While Windows often takes the lead, the performance gap varies wildly depending on the game and GPU in question. Let’s dive into the details and uncover where the real advantages lie.
Here’s where it gets interesting: In Borderlands 3, a 2019 title without ray-tracing, Windows consistently outperforms SteamOS by as much as 20-30% across all tested GPUs. Even though SteamOS still runs the game decently, this title highlights Windows’ most significant edge in our tests. But why does this matter? It shows that even older games can reveal stark differences between operating systems, which could influence your choice if you’re a fan of classics.
Now, let’s talk about ray-tracing—the game-changer in modern titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Cyberpunk 2077. With ray-tracing enabled, Windows maintains a 15-20% performance advantage over SteamOS on 16GB dedicated GPUs. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this gap due to Windows’ inherent optimization, or does SteamOS still have room to grow in handling these demanding effects?**
And this is the part most people miss: Not all games favor Windows. In Cyberpunk 2077 (without ray-tracing), Returnal (when not hitting RAM limits), and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, SteamOS either matches or comes within a hair’s breadth of Windows performance. These results suggest that for certain titles, the operating system difference is negligible—a win for SteamOS fans.
Now, let’s shift gears to integrated GPUs, specifically the Radeon 780M and RX 8060S. These GPUs are worlds apart in terms of specs—the 8060S boasts over three times the compute units of the 780M and uses faster LPDDR5X-8000 memory. Here’s the twist: Except for Borderlands 3, SteamOS outperforms Windows on these integrated GPUs. In Forza and Cyberpunk with ray-tracing, SteamOS not only closes the gap but often surpasses Windows, especially on the 780M. Even in games where dedicated GPUs showed a tie, SteamOS pulls ahead with slightly higher average frame rates.
So, what’s the takeaway? Windows still holds an edge in many scenarios, but SteamOS is no slouch, particularly on integrated GPUs and select titles. Here’s the burning question: As SteamOS continues to evolve, could it eventually close the performance gap entirely, or will Windows always maintain its lead? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think SteamOS has what it takes to challenge Windows’ dominance in gaming?
