A quiet revolution is taking shape in the palm of your hands.
With SteamOS 3.8 officially running on the ASUS ROG Ally X, we’re entering a new phase of handheld gaming where the hardware muscle of the Ally meets the lightweight elegance of Valve’s Linux-based operating system. What was once considered locked to the Steam Deck has now broken free — and the results are not just promising. They’re game-changing.
This is more than a test run. It’s a declaration that SteamOS isn’t just for the Deck anymore — and that the Ally X might be the best non-Valve portable gaming device yet.
A Match Made in Gaming Heaven: SteamOS 3.8 Meets ROG Ally X
At its core, this union is about synergy.
SteamOS 3.8 — the streamlined, console-like OS — was ported to the ROG Ally X using the Steam Deck recovery image, with YouTubers like ETA Prime and The Phawx leading the charge. Installation was surprisingly smooth, which says a lot about the maturing compatibility of SteamOS beyond Valve’s own hardware.
While it’s still early days — with features like RGB lighting and extra buttons (e.g., back buttons, ROG buttons) currently non-functional — the foundation is solid, and Valve has confirmed ongoing development to expand device support.
Hardware Beast, Software Featherweight
Let’s talk about what makes the ROG Ally X special — and why SteamOS unleashes its full potential.
Powered by AMD’s Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU, the Ally X is a mini-monster. 8 cores, 16 threads, RDNA 3 graphics — this is desktop-level power in your hands. Pair that with an 80Wh battery and a buttery-smooth 120Hz display with VRR support, and you have a device begging for an efficient OS to let it shine.
Enter SteamOS 3.8.
Its lightweight Linux base means less overhead, better battery optimization, and quicker responsiveness — a perfect match for a device designed for performance on the go. The end result? Longer playtime, cooler temps, and smoother gameplay.
Performance Benchmarks: Steam Deck, Step Aside
Now to the juicy part: how does it perform?
ETA Prime’s benchmarking reveals a clear pattern — the Ally X isn’t just keeping up with the Steam Deck OLED; it’s outpacing it.
When both devices are locked to the same 15W TDP, the Ally X consistently pulls ahead:
- Cyberpunk 2077:
ROG Ally X – 53 FPS
Steam Deck OLED – 44 FPS
→ +20% uplift - Black Myth: Wukong:
+12% performance advantage - Shadow of the Tomb Raider:
+10% boost over Steam Deck
These are not small margins. These are generational leaps in performance for handhelds operating at the same power level.
And while Valve’s Deck maxes out at 15W, the Ally X can scale up to 40W using a plugin like SimpleDeckyTDP, unlocking new possibilities for 60+ FPS gaming in modern AAA titles.
TDP Customization: You’re In Control
One of SteamOS 3.8’s standout features — when paired with tools like Decky Loader — is custom TDP control.
Whether you want to:
- Max battery life with a 4W cap,
- Or go full throttle at 40W for uncompromised frame rates,
the Ally X gives you complete control over power and performance.
This flexibility makes the device equally suitable for couch gaming, commutes, or marathon sessions, no matter the intensity of the title.
Display Delight: 120Hz VRR Support
One of the advantages the ROG Ally X holds over the Steam Deck is its 120Hz display, which SteamOS 3.8 recognizes — along with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).
This results in:
- Reduced screen tearing
- Smoother gameplay
- More stable frame delivery, even in performance-heavy titles
It’s a subtle, yet immensely satisfying difference that hardcore gamers will notice — and appreciate.
What’s Still Missing?
As polished as the experience is, SteamOS 3.8 on the ROG Ally X isn’t flawless yet.
Here’s what remains incomplete:
- RGB lighting control is not supported
- Front ROG and back buttons aren’t recognized
- TDP control isn’t native (plugin needed)
- Battery optimizations are early-stage
- SteamOS still identifies the Ally controller as an Xbox 360 device
But these gaps are narrowing fast. Valve’s continued development, alongside the Linux community and power users like ETA Prime, promises improvements in future patches.
Comparative Gameplay: What The Phawx Found
Another YouTuber, The Phawx, showed us what raw SteamOS looks like running on the Ally in its current form. Here’s what he found:
- SteamOS recognized the Ally’s 120Hz screen and VRR.
- Controller was identified as a generic Xbox device, missing some input options.
- In terms of game performance:
- Batman Arkham Knight, Cyberpunk 2077: Ally X outperformed Steam Deck LCD.
- Deux Ex: Mankind Divided, Returnal: Slightly behind.
- 2D games: Consumed more power than necessary due to poor TDP limits.
The takeaway? Performance is already solid, but there’s room for refinement. Valve’s OS is still optimized primarily for Deck hardware, and bringing those optimizations to other handhelds is the next step.
The 80Wh Battery Advantage
Compared to the Steam Deck OLED’s 50Wh battery, the ROG Ally X’s massive 80Wh battery is a godsend.
Combined with SteamOS’s efficient power draw and customizable TDP, gamers can finally enjoy:
- Longer gaming sessions
- Reduced fan noise
- Lower thermal output
- Fewer compromises between portability and performance
SteamOS 3.8: The Platform of the Future
Here’s what makes this all so exciting:
SteamOS 3.8’s successful run on the ROG Ally X isn’t just about one device. It’s about a paradigm shift.
Valve is no longer just a hardware maker — it’s becoming a platform provider. A Linux-based, open OS for handhelds. And as more manufacturers like Lenovo and potentially even GPD adopt it, we’re looking at a future where SteamOS is the Android of portable PC gaming.
Final Verdict: The ROG Ally X Just Became a Must-Have
If you own a ROG Ally X, installing SteamOS 3.8 transforms it into something more refined, more responsive, and more powerful than ever.
Yes, there are limitations. But the advantages — 20% performance gains, superior battery life, customizable power management, 120Hz VRR, and a growing ecosystem — far outweigh the current drawbacks.
SteamOS 3.8 doesn’t just work on the ROG Ally X. It thrives.
