SteamOS Surpasses Windows in Gaming Performance on Legion Go S

Games on the PC have always been a battleground, not just for the latest graphics cards or processors, but also for the operating systems that run them. For decades, Microsoft Windows reigned unchallenged as the only serious option for gamers who wanted top-tier performance and compatibility. Now, recent testing and user experiences suggest that paradigm is shifting—and in some surprising ways. Ars Technica’s rigorously benchmarked analysis on the Lenovo Legion Go S, comparing the latest version of Valve’s SteamOS against Windows 11, shows that the upstart Linux-based operating system is beating Windows at its own game.

A Decade of Change: SteamOS's Journey from Underdog to Contender​

When Valve first pitched SteamOS alongside its Steam Machines initiative nearly ten years ago, the idea was revolutionary but the results were disappointing. Early SteamOS builds suffered from performance deficits, largely due to less mature Linux graphics drivers and fewer native game ports. Windows, by contrast, delivered consistently higher frame rates and broader compatibility thanks to decades of developer focus, mature DirectX support, and a vast library of native executables.
Fast forward to today, and the landscape looks dramatically different. SteamOS 3.7, as tested on Lenovo’s Legion Go S, now delivers superior or at least comparable frame rates in a wide range of contemporary 3D games. For the first time, a handheld PC engineered for both Windows and SteamOS provides a level playing field, enabling direct, apples-to-apples benchmarking that cuts through much of the debate around PC gaming operating systems.

Benchmarking on the Legion Go S: A Fair Fight​

Ars Technica’s test methodology is carefully designed to minimize bias and maximize reproducibility. The benchmarks leveraged five recent, demanding AAA games released in the past half-decade, using the games’ built-in benchmarking tools. Two different graphics settings—one high, one low—were employed to simulate both aspirational and “bare minimum” performance scenarios. This is significant for handhelds, where lower settings often make the difference between smooth gameplay and stutter-filled frustration.
First, the Legion Go S was tested out-of-the-box with SteamOS 3.7. The exact same hardware was then wiped clean, loaded with Windows 11, and equipped with the freshest drivers from Lenovo’s support portal. The same titles, purchased and downloaded through Steam for Windows, were then reassessed.
The bottom line: SteamOS did not just keep pace with Windows, but often surpassed it. For most tested games, the frame rate improvements on SteamOS ranged from modest but noticeable to stark. At lower graphics settings, the difference could mean the line between “playable” and “unplayable.” This is especially critical for devices like the Legion Go S, where thermal and power limits can turn a minor performance boost into a real-world advantage.

Technical Factors: Why SteamOS Now Outpaces Windows​

To understand why SteamOS is suddenly competitive—or even superior—we have to look under the hood. There are several converging factors:

1. Proton and Game Compatibility​

One of the biggest shifts has been the maturation of Proton, Valve’s compatibility layer that translates Windows game calls into native Linux equivalents, often at a negligible overhead. SteamOS leverages Proton to run the vast majority of the Steam library, and its translation performance has improved drastically with each revision.
Many games now run on SteamOS via Proton as quickly as, or sometimes even faster than, their native Windows installations. Valve’s commitment to this project, and its regular updates, mean that “compatibility issue” is not the foregone conclusion it once was.

2. Linux Graphics Drivers Have Closed the Gap​

AMD's and Valve’s work in the Linux graphics ecosystem has dramatically improved driver stability and performance. The Mesa open-source driver stack now supports the latest Vulkan and OpenGL features with impressive parity to Windows’ proprietary drivers. Frequent updates and community testing on platforms like the Steam Deck have benefitted all Linux gamers.

3. Windows Overhead and System Services​

Windows 11, like its predecessors, comes with considerable system overhead—background services, telemetry, and non-gaming processes—that can impact frame rates, especially on low-power devices. SteamOS, by contrast, is streamlined for gaming, with minimal background processes and a focus on maximizing resources for the running game.

4. Optimization for Handheld Hardware​

SteamOS 3.7 was developed in tandem with devices like the Steam Deck and now, non-Valve hardware such as the Legion Go S. This close hardware-software optimization, analogous to what Apple achieves with its own silicon and macOS, pays dividends in frame consistency and efficiency.

Testing Caveats and Driver Issues​

No test regimen is perfect, and Ars Technica’s findings flag a few important caveats. During Windows 11 benchmarking, Doom: The Dark Ages couldn’t be tested due to what the game identified as “outdated drivers,” despite the latest official releases from Lenovo. The only workaround was an advanced method—installing AMD-compatible drivers meant for the Asus ROG Ally, an entirely different device. These bleeding-edge drivers brought the test environment closer to parity with SteamOS’s kernel and graphics support, but they also represent a level of tinkering casual users may be unwilling or unable to perform.
This reflects a recurring theme: while Windows still offers immense compatibility, SteamOS is delivering a better out-of-the-box gaming experience tailored to handhelds. Anyone looking for ultimate stability on Windows may need to hunt for unofficial firmware, a step that carries risks and headaches not present on SteamOS.

Critical Strengths: SteamOS's Gaming Edge​

The results of these head-to-head matchups reveal several strengths that are pushing SteamOS into prime time for gamers:

Gaming-Focused User Experience​

SteamOS launches straight into Steam’s Big Picture Mode, giving users an experience more akin to plugging in a console than booting up a PC. Input handling, game updates, and background resource allocation are all geared toward keeping frame rates steady and making the most of modest hardware.

Security and Privacy Benefits​

Linux’s open-source nature and security model are seen as advantages against some of the risk vectors that plague Windows, such as malware distributed via third-party installers or exploits hidden in background services. While no OS is invulnerable, Linux’s obscurity and permission system make it more difficult for everyday threats to take root.

Lightweight and Low-Maintenance​

Without the need for constant antivirus updates, patch cycles, and endless notifications, SteamOS feels lighter and is less intrusive. System updates are tied directly to Valve’s distribution schedule and the needs of gaming hardware manufacturers, not the broader enterprise and office market that Windows serves.

Growing Community and Third-Party Support​

Steam Deck’s success has created a lively community sharing tweaks, fixes, and best practices for maximizing performance on SteamOS. Developers now have a real incentive to ensure their games run smoothly under Proton, and big publishers are starting to take notice.

Risks and Remaining Weaknesses​

Despite increasing parity with Windows, SteamOS is still not the best fit for every user. The following limitations should be weighed before jumping in:

Game Compatibility: Not 100%​

Proton works miracles, but a small (albeit shrinking) percentage of titles still refuse to run correctly on SteamOS. This is most noticeable with games that use anti-cheat solutions or employ unusual graphics or DRM techniques. High-profile multiplayer titles sometimes lag behind in compatibility.

Peripheral and Software Support​

Peripheral support remains an Achilles heel for Linux in general. While most common controllers work out-of-the-box, more exotic hardware—joysticks, wheels, flight sticks, or proprietary RGB gear—may not have Linux drivers. Likewise, many game streamers or modders use tools available only on Windows.

Advanced Users Still Get the Best Results​

As shown in Ars’s test, unlocking Windows 11’s peak gaming performance on the Legion Go S required “unofficial” drivers sourced from a rival manufacturer. Many users may be uncomfortable with this, preferring tried-and-tested official downloads. Linux gaming, too, can involve the use of command-line tools, script-based fixes, or troubleshooting that demands patience and technical literacy.

Lack of Official Support for Windows on Steam Deck​

Valve has consistently stated that while users are free to install Windows on Steam Deck hardware, SteamOS is the only officially supported operating system. That means no official drivers or support channels for Windows-specific bugs on Valve’s own hardware—which could be frustrating for power-users hoping to “dual boot” without hiccups.

The Handheld PC Revolution: What This Means for the Market​

The Legion Go S and Steam Deck represent just the early tailwinds of a massive sea change in gaming. Handheld PCs are rapidly gaining traction as credible rivals to the Nintendo Switch and, potentially, gaming laptops. The ability for users to choose their operating system—one focused on gaming simplicity, and another on broad software support—is a critical differentiator.
SteamOS’s ascendance puts pressure on Microsoft to innovate: to optimize Windows 11 for handheld form factors, to streamline its update cycle, and—perhaps most importantly—to loosen its grip on game distribution if it wants to avoid ceding ground to a Linux-based rival.
For PC manufacturers, the message is clear: hardware that “just works” out of the box, with high performance and minimal fuss, will win over gamers tired of tinkering just to boost frame rates or resolve driver issues. Lenovo’s decision to ship the Legion Go S as “SteamOS ready” is a bold move, but one that could pay dividends as Valve’s software leadership grows.

The Economics of Games on SteamOS vs Windows​

Game performance is just one battleground; cost and accessibility are another. SteamOS’s free, open-source roots have long made it attractive to tinkerers, but the maturation of Proton means many more players can now enjoy AAA titles without a Windows license. While some premium game features or niche tools remain exclusive to Windows, the gap is closing.
Furthermore, for cloud gaming or game streaming setups—where compute power can be offloaded—SteamOS can be tailored into affordable, reliable set-top boxes or thin clients, potentially lowering the barrier for entry into the PC gaming world even further.

Looking Forward: Can SteamOS Maintain Its Lead?​

SteamOS’s current advantage, as demonstrated by the Legion Go S benchmarks, is real but dynamic. Software environments are in constant flux; a major update to Windows, a breakthrough in Linux gaming, or a shift in publisher practices (say, around anti-cheat software) could shake up the performance tables at any time. Users would be wise to consult current benchmarks before committing hard to either ecosystem.
With direct support for more non-Valve hardware, things look bright for wider SteamOS adoption. If driver and patch cycle issues—such as those uncovered in the Legion Go S Windows testing—continue to be a sticking point, more manufacturers may pivot to officially supporting Linux, or at least offering seamless dual-boot options.

Conclusion: The Era of Competition Has Arrived​

For decades, the only real debate for PC gamers was which flavor of Windows to use. Today, thanks to diligent engineering by Valve, the open-source community, and now industry giants like Lenovo and Asus, SteamOS is a viable, and often superior, alternative. As technical barriers fall and community support grows, the OS wars in PC gaming are heating up in ways few predicted a decade ago.
The biggest winners in this new era of competition are gamers themselves. With a choice of platforms, fewer performance bottlenecks, and vibrant community-driven innovation, the future of PC gaming is more open—and exciting—than ever before.
Yet, as always, a healthy dose of skepticism is wise. Prospective users should scrutinize their own library, peripheral needs, and risk tolerance before making the leap. But the days of dismissing Linux gaming are over. SteamOS is now not just viable; it may be the new standard-bearer for portable PC gaming excellence.

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Source: Ars Technica Games run faster on SteamOS than Windows 11, Ars testing finds