Lossless Scaling On The Steam Deck OLED Is A Game Changer But There’s A Catch…

Summary

In this video, ETA Prime explores lossless scaling and frame generation on the Steam Deck OLED, currently only functional on Windows. He demonstrates a significant performance boost in games like Red Dead Redemption 2, nearly doubling the frame rate with the aid of the Lossless Scaling application from Steam. Despite the requirement to install Windows and some games experiencing graphical glitches, the overall performance is impressive, showcasing the potential of frame generation on this portable device.

Takeaways

• 😀 ETA Prime demonstrates lossless scaling and frame generation on the Steam Deck OLED, which is currently only functional in Windows.
• 🔄 Lossless Scaling is an application available on Steam that enables frame generation and upscaling for games running on Windows.
• 📈 The script showcases a performance boost, with the Steam Deck's FPS nearly doubling in certain games using lossless scaling.
• 💻 The video explains the process of setting up lossless scaling on the Steam Deck, including the need for dedicated VRAM allocation and specific software installation.
• 🎮 The script provides a walkthrough of enabling lossless scaling in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring, highlighting the performance improvements.
• 👎 There are some issues with certain games, such as Hogwarts Legacy, where fast movements can cause graphical glitches with lossless scaling enabled.
• 🚀 Forza Horizon 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 show particularly impressive frame rate increases when using lossless scaling on the Steam Deck.
• 🛑 The script notes that lossless scaling does not currently work with Linux on the Steam Deck, which is a limitation for those preferring Steam OS.
• 🔗 ETA Prime provides links to the lossless scaling application on Steam and to Valve's website for the necessary Windows 11 drivers in the video description.
• 📝 The script emphasizes the flexibility of the x86 platform, allowing users to install multiple operating systems on the Steam Deck.
• 👍 The overall message is positive about the capabilities of lossless scaling on the Steam Deck, despite the current limitations and the need for Windows.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is discussing lossless scaling and frame generation on the Steam Deck OLED, specifically in the context of Windows 11.

Is the lossless scaling feature available on both Steam Deck OLED and LCD models?

Yes, the lossless scaling feature works on both the OLED and LCD Steam Deck models, but it's currently only functional in Windows.

What is lossless scaling and what does it do?

Lossless scaling is an application available on Steam that allows users to utilize frame generation and upscaling on any game or system running Windows, improving performance without quality loss.

How does the performance of the Steam Deck compare with and without lossless scaling enabled?

Without lossless scaling, the Steam Deck averages around 47 FPS, but with lossless scaling enabled, the frame rate can be doubled, reaching the '90s in certain games like Red Dead 2.

What is the significance of the custom APU and AMD GPU for the Steam Deck OLED in the context of lossless scaling?

The custom APU and AMD GPU allow for the utilization of lossless scaling, which in turn provides a significant performance boost when running games on the Steam Deck OLED under Windows.

What is the cost of the lossless scaling application on Steam?

The lossless scaling application is priced at seven dollars on Steam.

Why is the performance mode set to 'moving' in the lossless scaling settings?

The 'moving' performance mode is chosen to prioritize performance over input latency, which is suitable for single-player games where a slight increase in latency is not as critical.

What is the impact of enabling frame generation on input latency?

Enabling frame generation introduces additional latency to the input, which can be noticeable when using a mouse and keyboard but is less perceptible with a controller.

How does the video demonstrate the effectiveness of lossless scaling on different games?

The video shows the FPS counters for games like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, Elden Ring, Forza Horizon 5, and Red Dead Redemption 2, comparing the performance with and without lossless scaling and frame generation.

What are some limitations or downsides mentioned in the video regarding the use of lossless scaling on the Steam Deck?

One major limitation is that lossless scaling currently does not work in Linux and requires the installation of Windows on the Steam Deck, which is not the preferred OS for some users.

What is the viewer's recommendation for trying out lossless scaling on the Steam Deck?

The viewer encourages those interested to try lossless scaling and provides links in the description to the application on Steam and to Valve's website for the necessary Windows 11 drivers.