SteamOS 3.8 Release Notes

SteamOS 3.8 Overview

SteamOS 3.8 (specifically version 3.8.10) is a stable release that updates the Arch system base and introduces critical infrastructure for upcoming Steam Machine hardware. The release focuses on improving the desktop experience via a major KDE Plasma update, expanding compatibility for a wide array of third-party handheld gaming devices, and refining system stability for the Steam Deck LCD and OLED models.

Desktop Mode and User Interface

KDE Plasma has been updated to version 6.4.3 (from 6.2.5), with Wayland now serving as the default display server. This transition addresses several performance gaps between Desktop Mode and Game Mode and introduces the following capabilities:

  • Display Support: Added support for external HDR displays, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) displays, and per-display scale factors.
  • Visual Improvements: Better out-of-the-box scale factors for televisions and improved support for rotated displays.

Additionally, keyboard layout and language settings now synchronize with Game Mode settings, and windowing behavior for games running via Proton has been improved.

Third-Party Handheld and Non-Deck Support

SteamOS 3.8 significantly expands its footprint beyond the Steam Deck, providing extensive support for a variety of handheld platforms:

  • Device Compatibility: Added or improved controller support for the Lenovo Legion Go (including Go 2 and Go S), ASUS ROG Ally series, MSI Claw, OneXPlayer (X1 and APEX series), GPD Win (5 and Mini), Anbernic Win600, and OrangePi NEO.
  • Performance Optimizations: Handheld controller input latency has been drastically reduced from a range of 5-8ms down to 100-500 microseconds.
  • Hardware-Specific Fixes:
    • Added preliminary charge limiting support for Legion Go devices (accessible in Desktop Mode).
    • Fixed washed-out colors on OLED screens for Zotac and OneXPlayer handhelds.
    • Fixed GPU hangs on Phoenix APU devices in titles like Tales of Arise and Octopath Traveler II.
    • Resolved a system crash affecting international ASUS ROG Ally models.
  • General Hardware: Improved video memory management for discrete GPU platforms and better compatibility with recent Intel and AMD platforms.

Steam Deck Hardware Updates

System Firmware

  • Steam Deck LCD (BIOS v133): Includes security updates, a new "Memory Power Down" setup option, and preliminary support for hibernation.
  • Steam Deck OLED (BIOS v114): Includes security updates and a charging LED that changes color when the charge limit is reached.

Display and Performance

  • VRR Improvements: Added preliminary support for HDMI VRR for devices with native HDMI output and improved VRR frame pacing.
  • Graphics Drivers: Updated graphics drivers for stability and performance, including missing features required for titles such as Crimson Desert.
  • Bug Fixes: Fixed an issue where "Allow Tearing" failed to function in certain configurations and corrected a bug where the FSR badge remained off in the performance overlay despite being active.

Audio and Connectivity

  • Audio: Added an option to force mono audio output and a setting to allow the use of Bluetooth headset microphones (noting that playback quality decreases during capture).
  • Bluetooth/WiFi: Re-enabled Bluetooth Wake for the Steam Deck LCD, with fixes for previous spurious wake issues. WiFi performance degradation issues have also been resolved.

Developer and System Changes

The Linux kernel has been updated to version 6.16. Key developer-centric changes include:

  • Virtualization: Initial support for running as a Virtual Machine guest via virtio guest drivers.
  • Session Management: Steam now utilizes steamos-manager to query and trigger desktop session switching.
  • CPU Scheduling: Initial support for the LAVD CPU scheduler is now available via steamosctl set-cpu-scheduler lavd.
  • Booting: Added support for third-party devices to trigger the SteamOS boot menu via EFI variables.

Community Insights and Technical Observations

Users and contributors have noted several technical aspects of this release regarding its deployment and utility as a general-purpose distribution:

"That non-steam-deck section is glorious."

Regarding the installation of SteamOS on non-Steam Deck hardware, some users have highlighted the difficulty of the installation process, noting that the official scripts are non-interactive and designed for handhelds, often overwriting entire physical volumes:

"One pain point is that their install scripts are just that - non interactive scripts that are designed for gaming handhelds... it expects to be the only OS installed, it will clobber your entire physical volume with its new partition layout and file systems."

Other users have praised Valve's use of RAUC (an A/B system image switcher) to power these updates, ensuring system reliability during the update process.

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