SteamOS runs on Intel-based MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Arc B580 desktop system
Still, a lot of work ahead.
We have a follow up to recent story. As you may recall, Valve’s SteamOS beta branch is now starting to work on more Intel-based systems . The latest tests show the operating system running on MSI’s Claw 8 AI+, a handheld based on Intel Lunar Lake with Core Ultra 7 258V and Arc 140V graphics.
The official changelog actually mentioned controller support for MSI Claw devices, including the Claw A1M, Claw 7 AI+ A2VM, Claw 8 AI+ A2VM and Claw A8 BZ2EM. The company only mentioned “improved compatibility with recent Intel and AMD platforms”, and SD card reliability improvements for MSI Claw and initial firmware for upcoming Intel handhelds. Long story short, it is now possible to install original SteamOS on handhelds and even on desktops, as shown on Reddit.
MSI Claw 8 A+ (Lunar Lake) tested
ETA Prime tested SteamOS on the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and updated the system to the main 3.9 branch. The system boots with the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, Arc 140V graphics and 32GB of system memory. Most basic functions appear to work, including sleep, but some handheld-specific controls still need work.
Source: ETA Prime
One issue shown in the test is the left-side menu button , which did not open the SteamOS menu. TDP control also requires a third-party Simple Decky TDP to adjust power between 15W, 17W and 30W.
Performance is playable in several games, but it is not yet at the level of Windows on the same hardware. Cyberpunk 2077 at 720p with the Steam Deck preset can run slightly ahead of Steam Deck OLED at 15W, according to the test. At 1080p and 30W, the game comes close to 60 FPS but does not lock to that target. Spider-Man 2 also works, although frame generation was reported as choppy on this Intel setup under SteamOS.
Arc B580 desktop GPU tested
According to our friend SaperPL, SteamOS can now run on desktop Intel Arc graphics. Saper managed to boot SteamOS through the main channel after first installing an older repair image with a Radeon GPU, then swapping to the Intel card. The user reports that gamescope works, but performance in tested games was below Windows and below typical B580 results seen elsewhere.
Source: Reddit/SaperPL
Intel will soon launch its new Arc G3 and Arc G3 Extreme processors for handheld gaming systems from Acer, MSI and OneXPlayer. Support for these platform is unconfirmed right now, but I’m sure someone with the review unit might have already tested it.
Intel users don’t have to wait for SteamOS
Of course, since we are talking about open-source software, users are not forced to use or wait for the SteamOS stable release. At this point gamers can choose between CachyOS or Bazzite, which support Intel hardware already.
Source: Reddit , ETA PRIME:
