Valve Steam Machine Windows 11 Benchmarks: Close to SteamOS

Valve has released official Windows drivers for its Steam Machine, allowing users to install Windows 11 alongside the native SteamOS. This update matters because it transforms the compact gaming device into a versatile dual-boot system for buyers who need a Windows PC for work or specific software. We can now see how the machine handles different operating systems in real-world scenarios.

Windows 11 drivers enable dual-boot flexibility with near-identical performance

The hardware inside the Steam Machine features a custom AMD 1772 processor, which is a six-core Zen 4 chip identified by Windows. Graphics processing is handled by an 8GB Radeon RX 7600-series GPU. This configuration provides a balanced foundation for both gaming and general computing tasks on a small form factor.

• CPU: AMD 1772 (custom six-core Zen 4)
• GPU: Radeon RX 7600-series (8GB)
• Memory: 64GB DDR5-5600
• OS Tested: Windows 11, SteamOS

We upgraded the memory to 64GB of DDR5-5600, which is a significant jump from the previous 16GB standard. This extra RAM helps the system manage heavy workloads and multitasking more effectively. The machine supports both Windows 11 and SteamOS in desktop mode, giving users flexibility in their choice of environment.

Benchmarks from ETA Prime show that performance between the two operating systems remains very close. Windows 11 scored 3.3% higher in Geekbench 6 single-core tests and 22.1% higher in multi-core tests than SteamOS desktop mode. The Steam Machine reached 9,245 points in 3DMark Time Spy, indicating strong synthetic performance.

Game performance varies by resolution, with SteamOS leading at 1080p and Windows 11 taking the lead at 4K. SteamOS achieved 74 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p, compared to 68 FPS on Windows 11. Windows 11 achieved 20 FPS at 4K, while SteamOS hit 18 FPS in the same test. Valve noted that the optimizations and simplicity of SteamOS are key reasons people choose the system.

We looked at Shuhei Yoshida earlier while tracking Steam Machine performance feedback. Valve stated that users can install Windows and give the machine to someone who may need a PC more. This flexibility ensures the hardware remains useful even if gaming preferences change.

The Steam Machine now supports official Windows 11 installation with drivers that match the hardware capabilities. Users can choose between the optimized gaming experience of SteamOS or the broad compatibility of Windows 11. Both operating systems deliver competitive performance for modern titles and productivity work.