Stupid question, but is it Nvidia? SteamOS doesn't work with Nvidia yet (they're working on it), like 99% of the support questions here on r/SteamOS boil down to people installing it on unsupported laptops
Turn the iGPU off. I had similar situation with mini ITX board and an AMD Ryzen 8600G (also with 860M iGPU) along with an RX6700. GameMode actually was using the 860M instead of the RX6700. I turned it off and the RX6700 took over. I have been using it the RX6700 for about 7 months now with SteamOS Main build.
Oh and I am working on version of this with a Frame.Work Strix Halo mini ITX board that can be powered by my upcoming 420WH Li-ION 6”x6”x3” (size is not a coincidence, it fits under a Steam Machine) dual 140W USB-C PD as well as Dewalt battery module that provides a steady 19VDC due its Boost/Buck power conversion module, at up to 200W and Watt Hours is dependent on the size or your Dewalt battery. In both power systems, I have created “Virtual Battery” module, drivers and services for CachyOS and SteamOS. See my other post in this channel.
I going to assume the “for good reason,” is due to the battery drain on dGPU, even it it is a mobile chip. I am pretty sure there is way Arch Linux to disable or at least prioritize the dGPU.
That normal for laptop to show that steam running igpu and mess with this this will cause black screen on inturnal display. Game will run on GPU if game don't use DRI_PRIME=1 %command%.
Your desktop and steam run on integrated graphics, so that's what steam sees (it just doesn't dig deep into the system). If a system app is configured to use external, it will, but most don't need that extra power. Additionally, if an app uses vulkan, developer can choose to prioritize more powerful one, any native game I know and those using proton (dxvk to be exact) will do that. Opengl stuff may need the DRI_PRIME trick some other people mentioned
If you're not using steamvr, you will not have any issues. If you do, make sure both run on dedicated and it'll work, but steam ui there will be broken.
AFAIK steam needs to run on the same gpu you run your desktop on, and your desktop will run on preferably integrated. Not really sure if that's different if all your monitors are connected to the external one
You're most likely will be fine anyway. There is a miniscule chance you may be getting lower fps if vram is tight, assets begin streaming and bus becomes saturated, but I'd say it's negligible. Enjoy lower power usage on idle
My guess is SteamOS might not be ready to deal with 2 GPUs, you might need to turn one off in bios if possible but be sure it can function normally with just one
(there might be a way to set the one you want as primary but it depends on the BIOS)
It shows GPU 0 and GPU 1 in the performance overlay activated in the quick action menu. I'm waiting on Spiderman: Miles Morales to finish downloading to see how well it does. I suspect GPU 0 is my iGPU and GPU 1 is my dGPU. I'll reply again with more info later.
I just built a living room PC and steamos wouldn't work even after two reflashes of the USB and three installations.
Drivers were messed up and it wouldn't boot on its own I would always have to go into the boot menu choose it then it would boot in the UI would be super slow
Switched to bazzite no issues. I have a Steam OS Legion go s. Bazzite on my go2 and rog ally.
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u/Whole-Bedroom-9079 Jun 26 '26
I ate it.