Atti Abderrahim
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Switching the ASUS ROG Ally X from Windows 11 to SteamOS has proven to significantly enhance both performance and battery life, although the process remains quite complex. The exclusive Steam Deck operating system, SteamOS, has long been recognized for its ability to optimize the performance and battery efficiency of Valve’s console, setting it apart from competitors running on Windows 11.
Windows 11: A Hindrance for Portable Gaming Consoles?
Windows 11 is widely acknowledged to negatively impact the performance and battery life of portable gaming consoles. This sentiment has been further validated by recent findings from Tom’s Guide, which suggests that replacing Windows 11 with SteamOS could be the key to unlocking the full potential of the ASUS ROG Ally X.
The Challenge of Installing SteamOS on the ASUS ROG Ally X
Valve recently announced the beta release of SteamOS 3.6.9, which includes a myriad of fixes. Of particular interest is a small, yet significant, note in the release: “Added support for additional buttons on the ASUS ROG Ally.” This statement, though brief, confirms what many had speculated Valve is working on making SteamOS compatible with devices other than just the Steam Deck.
Jason England of Tom’s Guide, however, couldn’t wait for an official release. He decided to install a custom Linux image on his ROG Ally X to see if SteamOS could indeed improve the console’s performance and battery life. England warns that the process is anything but straightforward, and even when following the exact same procedure, success is not guaranteed.
England recommends waiting for an official SteamOS installation method for the ROG Ally X. His current efforts are more of an experiment, offering a glimpse into what might be possible in the future.
Significant Gains in Performance and Battery Life
The results of Jason England’s experiment are nothing short of impressive. He reports that SteamOS is much better suited to handheld gaming than Windows 11, particularly in terms of interface design—a claim that won’t surprise many.
More importantly, England notes a substantial improvement in the ASUS ROG Ally X’s performance when running SteamOS. For instance, Cyberpunk 2077 ran at 36 to 42 frames per second (fps) in 1080p on SteamOS, compared to lower fps on Windows 11. Forza Horizon 5 saw a jump to 53 to 59 fps in 1080p on SteamOS. Similar performance gains were observed in Persona 5, Hitman 3, and F1 24.
Perhaps even more astonishing is the improvement in battery life. With SteamOS, the ROG Ally X managed to extend playtime on Cyberpunk 2077 from 2 hours and 31 minutes (Windows 11) to 3 hours and 5 minutes. For Forza Horizon 5, battery life increased from 1 hour and 26 minutes (Windows 11) to 1 hour and 44 minutes on SteamOS.
The Case Against Windows 11 for Portable Consoles
Aside from broader compatibility such as with Microsoft’s PC Game Pass and certain games like Fortnite there seems to be little reason to stick with Windows 11 on portable gaming consoles. The significant gains in performance and battery life achieved by switching to SteamOS make a compelling case for its adoption on the ASUS ROG Ally X
In conclusion, while the process of installing SteamOS on the ASUS ROG Ally X is still in its early stages and far from user-friendly, the potential benefits are clear. As Valve continues to refine SteamOS for use on other devices, we could see a new standard in handheld gaming emerge, leaving Windows 11 behind in favor of a more optimized, gaming-focused operating system.
Source : Tom’s Guide
