SteamOS Expands Hardware Support with Intel Arc GPUs
Valve’s SteamOS has recently made significant strides in hardware compatibility, now offering robust support for discrete GPUs (dGPUs) and Intel’s Arc graphics cards. This development marks a notable shift for the Linux-based gaming platform, which has traditionally focused on AMD hardware. The latest testing, conducted by well-known gaming handheld reviewer ETA Prime, highlights the performance of Intel’s Arc B580 GPU on SteamOS, revealing both impressive results and some current limitations.
Intel Arc B580 Delivers Strong Performance on SteamOS
One of the most notable improvements is the ability for Intel Arc B580 GPUs to boot and run on SteamOS without the need for workarounds or experimental drivers. This seamless integration is a significant step forward for users interested in building or purchasing SteamOS-powered gaming systems with Intel graphics.
During testing, the Arc B580 demonstrated strong gaming performance across several demanding titles at 1440p resolution. For example, Cyberpunk 2077 ran at high settings with frame rates between 75 and 90 FPS using XeSS 2.0 in Quality mode. Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered also performed well, achieving 62 to 73 FPS at high settings with XeSS set to balanced—performance that closely matches what’s possible on Windows. Classic titles like Fallout 4 and Elden Ring maintained a stable 60 FPS at ultra or maximum settings, with Elden Ring running natively at 1440p without upscaling. In Forza Horizon 5, the Arc B580 reached 75 to 85 FPS at high settings, with occasional dips into the 60s, slightly trailing the mid-80s FPS seen on Windows at similar settings.
Current Limitations: XeSS and XMX Engine Support
Despite these positive results, there are some limitations to note. The Mesa graphics driver used by SteamOS currently lacks support for Intel’s Xe Matrix eXtensions (XMX) hardware. As a result, while XeSS (Intel’s AI-powered upscaling technology) technically functions, both image quality and performance are reduced compared to running XeSS on fully supported hardware. The absence of XMX support also means that features like XeSS Multi-Frame Generation are unavailable on SteamOS at this time.
Valve’s Commitment to Open Hardware Ecosystems
The progress seen in SteamOS’s compatibility with Intel Arc GPUs underscores Valve’s ongoing commitment to broadening hardware support beyond its own AMD-focused devices. This expanded compatibility not only benefits end users seeking more choice in their gaming hardware but also empowers OEMs to develop a wider range of SteamOS-based systems. As driver support continues to mature, users can expect even better performance and feature parity with Windows in the future.
