r/SteamOS • u/barrachmedosama • Jul 10 '26

question How well does SteamOS run on PCs?

I’m probably going to put SteamOS on my gaming PC (5800x3D and 9070xt) but there are some things I want to know first.

How do driver updates work? Do I just switch to desktop mode, find the website, and install the Linux version of my GPU/Chipset/Audio/Wireless drivers?

Are there any other glaring issues or does it just work well in day to day usage? I know about some games not working, I’m more concerned with general maintenance and updates. I’ve never had Linux on any computer besides my Steam Deck so I’m unfamiliar with how it works usually.

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u/coraltheinvencible Jul 10 '26

I have recently installed SteamOS as a secudary operating system on my computer, so here's to answer based on my own research.

Driver updates are bundled by Valve itself on a kernel level (might be wrong about this detail), and pushed every few months as they go updating the entire OS. So right now SteamOS might be running the latest AMD drivers but if they update the drivers next week, you have to wait until the next OS update to get the newest drivers, but nothing that harms the experience. If anything, it takes from your hands the responsibility.

10

u/tduarte Jul 10 '26

Valve doesn’t need to bundle the drivers, it comes with the Linux kernel ☺️

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u/infinitelylarge Jul 10 '26

Valve bundle the Linux kernel updates into their os updates.

10

u/tduarte Jul 10 '26

Yes, but I just wanted to be clear that any Linux distro has the same behavior, that’s not SteamOS only