How much FPS does Valve’s Steam Deck achieve? This question is currently on the minds of many gamers. Now Valve has explained what 30 FPS means for the console.
The Steam Deck is Valve’s new gaming console and occupies many users. In particular, the question of how powerful the Steam console really is concerns gamers.
This is the reason for the discussion: In a video interview with IGN, Valve explained that they aim for 30 FPS with the Steam Deck (via ign.com). But this caused a significant discussion among gamers.
Many had suspected that the Steam Deck should only manage these 30 FPS, which would be far too little for gamers.
Why is the framerate important? Games with less than 30 FPS feel less fluid. When gaming, one always feels that a game cannot run smoothly with less than 30 FPS, but rather it runs choppy. Competitive gamers, in particular, rely on a high framerate for fluid movements.
Valve explains what 30 FPS really means for the Steam Deck
This is what happened: Pierre-Loup Griffais took to Twitter and explained that it was a misunderstanding:
The “30 FPS target” refers to the minimum of what we consider playable in our performance tests; the games we have tested and shown have consistently met and exceeded this benchmark. There will also be an optional built-in FPS limiter to balance performance with battery life.
Pierre-Loup Griffais, Valve employee, via twitter.com
We have embedded his official tweet here:
What the tweet says: Griffais explains in his tweet that the 30 FPS refers to a minimum framerate. The targeting does not mean that the console can only achieve 30 FPS. Rather, they want to ensure that all games can run at least at 30 FPS.
This statement reassures many gamers who had felt disappointed. Furthermore, many users have already pre-ordered a Steam Deck, even causing the Steam servers to crash.
Players are relieved that the Steam Deck can achieve more
These are the reactions: Many gamers express relief or at least a positive surprise that Valve aims for at least 30 FPS with the Steam Deck. One user says, “Wanting to reach 30 FPS sounds okay. It is playable—not optimal, but playable.” (via reddit.com)
In particular, the ability to limit the FPS and thereby increase battery life appeals to many users (via reddit.com). A good battery performance is much more important for a mobile device than a high framerate.
I think 30 fps is a pretty good target for the Steam Deck at this time. I also assume that they are using a 1080p resolution. Battery life is much more important for this type of device.
Alenonimo, via reddit.com
Why is the framerate not so important for the Steam Deck? There are also some people who see no reason for this FPS discussion. After all, this is not what this console is about. It is primarily a handheld console.
The Steam console is not designed to play modern blockbusters in the highest details. Instead, one expects to be able to play excellent indie titles like Hades or Hollow Knight on the console (via reddit.com). Additionally, with the console, one can finally reduce their “Pile of Shame.”
What do you think? What are your expectations for Valve’s Steam Deck and what do you want to play on it? Do you consider battery life important, or do you prefer high framerate and many details?
All important information about Valve’s Steam Deck has also been detailed here on MeinMMO.
