The presenter explored whether SteamOS could transform a $100 budget PC into a gaming system. Key aspects discussed included the hardware limitations of the chosen PC, the challenges encountered during SteamOS installation, attempts with alternative Linux distributions, and a comparison of gaming performance between Windows and Linux.
PC Hardware Specifications #
- CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 (Dell Optiplex) - Identified as surprisingly strong for the budget.
- GPU: Nvidia Quadro K4200 - Main bottleneck, 11 years old, designed for 3D modeling, not gaming, purchased for $20.
- Considered unsafe due to running on a $3 power adapter.
Gaming Performance on Windows 10 #
- Tomb Raider (2013):
- Ultra settings: 60+ FPS
- Ultimate settings: 38 FPS
- Rise of the Tomb Raider: 53 FPS at 900p medium settings.
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider: 56 FPS at 720p lowest settings.
- Upscaling caused crashes due to old GPU.
- Cyberpunk 2077: 27 FPS at 720p low settings.
SteamOS Installation Challenges #
- Official Support: SteamOS does not officially support desktop PCs; only Steam Deck and Legion Go are supported.
- Initial Setup: Used Rufus to flash SteamOS image to USB.
- Compatibility Issues:
- Cursor freezing and size distortion during initial setup.
- Lagging system during setup phase.
- Error with SATA SSD not being supported.
- Troubleshooting SATA SSD Issue:
- Required editing a file on the SSD, which was extremely slow to open.
- Console commands were slow to execute.
- Encountered an "EFI system partition" error with "ESP" requirement.
- Difficulty with command line due to system lag.
- Accidentally "nuked" script by adding an extra character.
- Needed advice from a YouTube comment to resolve a persistent error after hours of struggle.
- Reboot Failure: PC failed to reboot after installation, requiring manual shutdown.
- Graphical Glitch: Displayed a bizarre graphical output after multiple reboots.
- GPU Driver Issue Speculation: Suspected a GPU driver issue, attempted to use integrated graphics, but failed.
Experimenting with Alternative Linux Distributions #
- Basite (SteamOS clone):
- Installed cleanly and ran smoothly (initially using integrated graphics).
- Failed to work with the Nvidia K4200 GPU; a "hardest obstacle" due to outdated GPU lacking official driver support on this OS.
- Couldn't install drivers despite seeking help from "nerds."
- Noara Linux (Another SteamOS alternative):
- Goal shifted to finding "something that works" due to GPU limitations.
- GPU drivers installed with a single click (though 1,600+ other updates followed).
- Installation broke the OS after rebooting with the GPU plugged in.
- Linux Mint (Traditional Linux distribution):
- Easier to install updates and drivers.
- Not pre-tweaked for gaming, required extra installations.
- First OS to run smoothly with the GPU connected.
- Initially ran games on integrated graphics despite GPU connection.
- Required additional package installations to utilize Nvidia GPU.
Gaming Performance on Linux Mint (with Nvidia K4200) #
- Tomb Raider (2013):
- Ultimate settings: 30.6 FPS (8 FPS less than Windows).
- Ultra settings: 55.1 FPS (9 FPS less than Windows).
- Rise of the Tomb Raider: 43 FPS at 900p medium settings (significant drop from Windows).
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider: 42 FPS at 720p lowest settings (significant drop from Windows).
- Cyberpunk 2077: Flatlined and failed to open.
Conclusion of the Experiment #
- SteamOS (or Linux alternatives) did not turn the $100 trash PC into a gaming beast.
- Performance was worse than on Windows, especially with the old Nvidia hardware.
- The experiment highlighted the immaturity of Linux for very old Nvidia hardware.
- The process involved 10 hours, multiple OS installations, and several broken installations, proving to be not worth the effort for the outcome.
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