Current Events > Is this true about Switch 2's performance vs Steam Deck?

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://jumpshare.com/s/HbrUY8iUz4c4lQ8TIo9Q

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/e/ea32ede0.jpg

I legit thought the Steam Deck was more powerful due to generally being more expensive.

My understanding that overall, the hardware of the NS2 is more powerful than the steam deck.

1st time I've seen Nintendo performance beat anything at launch

Yes.

Star Wars Outlaws on Switch 2 also clobbers Steam Deck.

Is the Steam deck more expensive? The Switch 2 is way more expensive where I am. You have to fully max out the Steam Deck to come close to buying a Switch 2 here.

It's near parity to the Xbox Series S IIRC

Will_VIIII posted...

My understanding that overall, the hardware of the NS2 is more powerful than the steam deck.

Guess I fell for some of the misinformation. I saw a lot of talk about how Steam Deck with the correct optimization could still play current gen games the NS2 couldn't.

Yeah, Switch 2 even has a raytracing GPU

ImagineUsngAlts posted...

Guess I fell for some of the misinformation. I saw a lot of talk about how Steam Deck with the correct optimization could still play current gen games the NS2 couldn't.

I mean that's possible with frame gen, lossless scaling and stuff like that but there'd be compromises.

Borderlands 4 doesn't run well on the steam deck though (like 20fps) and it's on the NS2

Yep, Switch 2 is actually the more powerful handheld gaming system at the moment. It's likely there may be a revision of the Steam Deck sometime down the line, but right now Switch 2's more capable.

Steam Deck is 3 years old

It has architectural advantages and tailored porting efforts ("Deck verified" is a meme at this point) that give it an edge. Still has a weaker CPU and less RAM though.

Also, the Deck screen caps out at 800p/90 fps so that probably has something to do with it.

Will_VIIII posted...

I mean that's possible with frame gen, lossless scaling and stuff like that but there'd be compromises.

Borderlands 4 doesn't run well on the steam deck though (like 20fps) and it's on the NS2

I see. Appreciate the info.

Trumpo posted...

Steam Deck is 3 years old

I just figured that Nintendo hardware since the gamecube would be a bit behind hardcore systems so I'm surprised by this. Nintendo's handhelds were always weaker than Playstation's too.

The Steam Deck is not that powerful tbh. It is an absolute unit in terms of versatility though.

Is the steam deck still the same one that came out three years ago? Do they not constantly update new ones sold with new componenrs like a PC or did they just make one type and haven't made any new updated more powerful versions yet?

Proto_Spark posted...

Is the Steam deck more expensive? The Switch 2 is way more expensive where I am.

The S2 is $700AU (Australia), the OLED Steamdeck is $900AU.

Well yeah Steam Deck is several years old. It does a hell of a lot more things than Switch 2 tho

sfcalimari posted...

Is the steam deck still the same one that came out three years ago? Do they not constantly update new ones sold with new componenrs like a PC or did they just make one type and haven't made any new updated more powerful versions yet?

They made a slightly more powerful one i think, but just barely. Like a 5% increase in power. It doesn't count as a real next generation. They said there will be a Steam Deck 2 but aren't ready to reveal when. And they first said that I think like 2 years ago. So nobody knows when it is coming. But now that Switch 2 is out, maybe Steam Deck 2 will get rushed out soon

Zikten posted...

They made a slightly more powerful one i think, but just barely. Like a 5% increase in power. It doesn't count as a real next generation. They said there will be a Steam Deck 2 but aren't ready to reveal when. And they first said that I think like 2 years ago. So nobody knows when it is coming. But now that Switch 2 is out, maybe Steam Deck 2 will get rushed out soon

Yeah the OLED was a nice but small upgrade. Really looking forward to what the next device is like

BakonBitz posted...

Yep, Switch 2 is actually the more powerful handheld gaming system at the moment. It's likely there may be a revision of the Steam Deck sometime down the line, but right now Switch 2's more capable.

if we are including other PC handhelds, then no.

SD also has the upper hand in a faster CPU, which you can see in certain games..

If switch 2 games use DLSS and isn't bounded by CPU, then handheld mode is certainly taking over. S2 also has better RT.

But you can see in games that push the CPU like cyberpunk, that SD matches the NPC count of PS5/x series. I'm assuming the same with Star Wars Outlaws.

sfcalimari posted...

Is the steam deck still the same one that came out three years ago? Do they not constantly update new ones sold with new componenrs like a PC or did they just make one type and haven't made any new updated more powerful versions yet?

They're waiting for a significant generational leap in power. They're also going to have to do a lot of work getting build costs and profit margins in order since components aren't getting any cheaper.

Arcanine2009 posted...

But you can see in games that push the CPU like cyberpunk, that SD matches the NPC count of PS5/x series. I'm assuming the same with Star Wars Outlaws.

Outlaws requires RT and since SD doesn't have dedicated RT hardware it struggles a lot more, despite the CPU/RAM advantage.

ImagineUsngAlts posted...

Guess I fell for some of the misinformation. I saw a lot of talk about how Steam Deck with the correct optimization could still play current gen games the NS2 couldn't.

no.

not in any scenario.

the steam decks hardware is old. it was not powerful to begin with.

It's what always makes me laugh every time someone claims the S2 is overpriced, while bragging about getting a Steam Deck. In USD, the cheapest model of the Steam Deck is only $50 less than the S2, & that's the model that was released years later & almost no one seriously wants if they have a choice, given it's almost always in stock, even when the other two are sold out; I'm sure the S2 will have a budget model in a few years, too.

Point is that based on the prices of every other handheld PC, expect the "Steam Deck 2" to almost definitely cost no less than $600, & that's assuming they don't have to cope with Trump's tariff shenanigans.

ImagineUsngAlts posted...

I just figured that Nintendo hardware since the gamecube would be a bit behind hardcore systems so I'm surprised by this. Nintendo's handhelds were always weaker than Playstation's too.

most of the issue isn't just hardware but bad optimization from devs who just throw their games at the system and expect it to brute force it to run well
tho nintendo's hardware is mostly behind but not like it was during the wii vs ps3 days but closer to it's current gen with some new bits in it to help with raytracing and other gimmicks to help ports better
Will_VIIII posted...

Borderlands 4 doesn't run well on the steam deck though (like 20fps) and it's on the NS2

borderland 4 is a mess now seeing even on a 5090 is getting stuttering and frame drops cuz it's a UE5 game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tPvLuU_JxQ&t=215s
DF did a video on NS2 profomace with UE5 games

ImagineUsngAlts posted...

I see. Appreciate the info.

I just figured that Nintendo hardware since the gamecube would be a bit behind hardcore systems so I'm surprised by this. Nintendo's handhelds were always weaker than Playstation's too.

The steam deck isnt a hardcore system. Its the lowest spec out of all the PC handhelds IIRC, like the ROG Ally and others have higher specs than the steam deck

Rika_Furude posted...

The steam deck isnt a hardcore system. Its the lowest spec out of all the PC handhelds IIRC, like the ROG Ally and others have higher specs than the steam deck

True, but having Steam/SteamOS behind it, means the Deck has much better compatibility than most of those. The most notable exception to that, will probably be the Xbox Ally.

darkbuster posted...

True, but having Steam/SteamOS behind it, means the Deck has much better compatibility than most of those. The most notable exception to that, will probably be the Xbox Ally.

I think any of the windows systems have more compatibility than steam OS. Steam OS has come a long way but it still isnt approaching windows level.