Video summary

I Installed SteamOS on My Gaming PC...Will I Switch from Windows?

Main summary

Key takeaways

Technology

Summary of Video (SteamOS Install + Daily-Driving Test)

The video tests whether official SteamOS (Steam-provided) can be daily-driven on a gaming PC (AMD-based) as an alternative to Windows. The motivation includes the lack of a shipped Steam Machine and ongoing SteamOS updates intended for desktop use.

The host frames the test around:

  1. How to install SteamOS (tutorial steps)
  2. Whether it’s usable day-to-day for gaming and productivity apps
  3. A comparison of day-to-day stability on AMD vs a prior Nvidia Linux experience, referencing an earlier “30-day Linux challenge” that reportedly had more issues

Tutorial / Installation Guide (Practical Steps)

1) Get SteamOS Install Media

  • The host follows SteamOS installation instructions:
    • Download the SteamOS image
    • Use Rufus to write it to a USB
  • Version mentioned: 3.8.10 (not guaranteed to be the newest at the time of viewing)

2) Create a Bootable USB with Rufus

  • Rufus detects the flash drive.
  • The process:
    • Wipes the drive
    • Writes the SteamOS image to it
  • Warning: this destroys existing partitions/data on the USB.

3) Boot into the Installer

  • In BIOS/UEFI:
    • Secure Boot must be disabled, or the boot fails.
  • Use Boot Override to select the correct boot partition.
    • The host notes their first attempt booted into the wrong/previous OS.
  • Additional troubleshooting notes:
    • First attempt resulted in a black screen / slow boot
    • Later, they report that switching DisplayPort vs HDMI affected whether the installer UI appeared.

4) Installer Workflow

  • Choose an installer option like: wipe device and install SteamOS.
  • Recommendation: keep the install environment simple:
    • Prefer only one target drive present to avoid wiping the wrong disk.
  • During installation, the UI performs steps such as:
    • Sanitizing (wiping)
    • Copying/installing
  • After reboot:
    • The system boots into the SteamOS setup flow
    • Then into the Steam interface

Desktop + Gaming Usability Results (What Works / What’s Smooth)

Hardware & Environment Reported

  • Platform: AMD
  • CPU: Ryzen 9 9800X3D
  • GPU: Radeon RX 9070 XT
  • RAM: 32GB (shown as ~30GB in the system view, likely due to allocation)
  • Observed gaming resolution:
    • 5120 × 2160 @ 165Hz (ultrawide)
  • SteamOS version shown after install/update:
    • 3.84
  • GPU/driver notes:
    • The driver UI indicates a “compatibility profile”
    • 16GB VRAM
    • The host emphasizes SteamOS includes GPU/driver support “built in” via the OS/kernel, so it works without manual driver installation

In-Game Performance Observations

  • 007 First Light: runs smoothly; no visible Linux compatibility artifacts reported for that test.
  • Borderlands 4: previously problematic on Linux/Nvidia; on SteamOS with the new AMD card it appears to run well:
    • Frame generation enabled
    • High FPS at the ultrawide resolution
  • General impressions:
    • Smooth early experience
    • The host can’t strictly quantify “better/worse than Windows,” but reports:
      • No game-breaking bugs encountered during testing

App Experience in Gaming Mode

  • SteamOS provides a controller-first, console-like interface.
  • Noted convenience:
    • Pressing Home while a game runs allows menu navigation and fast return to gameplay

Issues Found (Gaming + Non-Gaming)

Gaming Stutters / Lockups (Dead Space Remake)

  • Dead Space Remake: experienced micro-stutters and occasional lockups.
  • Host attribution:
    • Likely game-related
    • Community research suggests the stutters may be due to upscaling or poor development, not necessarily SteamOS
  • Planned mitigation:
    • Lower settings / apply a frame cap

Desktop Mode + OBS (Linux Video Capture Troubleshooting)

  • In desktop mode, apps are installed mostly via a Discover-style interface (e.g., Flatpak Manager).
  • OBS Studio:
    • Initially installed, but camera/navigation behaved oddly
    • Movement FPS was extremely low
  • Suggested troubleshooting approach:
    • Prefer V4L2 video capture
    • Avoid PipeWire video capture since it seemed beta/unstable
  • Despite quirks, they later confirm they can record the desktop in OBS successfully.

Productivity Apps (Linux Install Workflow Differences)

  • Some tools install easily:
    • Discord and Slack installed via console/command-line steps
    • The host claims installation was fast and reliable
  • Point made:
    • Knowing the right repositories/commands can make Linux installs quicker than Windows browser-based installers.

Parseek (Major Bottleneck / Review-Style Limitation)

  • Parseek (remote desktop tool used for work) failed to install/update on SteamOS.
  • Symptoms:
    • Installation/update error in the app manager (Flatpak/Store-style)
  • Troubleshooting:
    • Googled solutions and even used AI tools (with a caution about relying on AI alone)
  • Reviews/feedback mentioned:
    • Parseek may not work on SteamOS / Steam Deck Linux environments
  • Result:
    • Because the host’s team depends on Parseek and they can’t realistically switch to another paid remote tool,
    • This becomes a dealbreaker for daily driving despite good game performance.

Overall Conclusion / Review Verdict

SteamOS on an all-AMD gaming PC is portrayed as:

  • Very close to replacing Windows for gaming and many general tasks
  • Easier to live with than the host’s previous Nvidia-based Linux attempt (they report Nvidia had more random bugs)

Remaining barriers:

  • Parseek not installing (work productivity blocker)
  • Anti-cheat compatibility concerns (“antiG problem”) for competitive games, presented as the main reason many players won’t fully switch even if performance is good

Recommendation:

  • AMD users should still try SteamOS, since updates are ongoing (aligned with Steam Machine/desktop direction).

Main Speakers / Sources

  • Speakers: “Toasty Bros” (primary host, also referred to as Matt for another rig/role in the intro)
  • Other sources mentioned:
    • SteamOS official installation/repair pages
    • Micro Center (sponsor)
    • Community research / reviews on game and Parseek behavior
    • Twitch channel “toastybros” referenced for giveaway streams

Original video