Valve continues to enhance the Steam Deck experience with its latest SteamOS Beta Client update, focusing on battery life improvements through optimized frame limiter settings.
Steam Deck’s Journey and Continued Success
Launched in 2022, the Steam Deck is approaching its three-year anniversary and remains the top PC handheld in the market, despite competition from devices like the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. Its ongoing success can be attributed to Valve’s consistent software support, with frequent updates enhancing user experience.
New SteamOS Beta Client Update Available Now
The latest SteamOS Beta Client update is now available for download. Note that most updates are rolled out through the Beta or Preview channels before reaching the stable release. To access this update, users need to enable Beta Participation by navigating through the Steam button > System Settings > Beta Participation.
Key Updates in the Latest Beta Client
General Improvements:
- Fixed an error on the Downloads page when a Free-to-Play game is removed during installation.
Steam Input Enhancements:
- Reduced polling rate while the Steam Frame Limiter is active, saving up to 6% battery life when running games at 30 FPS, such as Half-Life 2.
- Fixed an error in virtual menu settings when bound to the gyro.
Maximizing Battery Life with Frame Limiter Settings
The highlight of this update is the enhanced Steam Frame Limiter settings. To adjust these settings, press the quick access button (three dots under the right trackpad), and ensure that the ‘Disable Frame Limit’ option is turned off. This will allow you to modify the frame limit and take advantage of the new power-saving optimizations.
Valve reports that reducing the polling rate while using the frame limiter results in noticeable battery savings, such as a 6% improvement in Half-Life 2 at 30 FPS. While the impact may vary across different games, any battery life extension is a welcome addition for Steam Deck users.
Stay tuned to Gaming Central for more updates and tips on maximizing your Steam Deck experience.
