The Steam Deck has received another beta channel update, this time offering a niche new feature that can assist in expediting the performance of your favorite games while on the go, as well as keep the infamous draining battery at bay. The latest version is now available for all beta channel users, and it adds a Game Refresh slider to the Valve handheld, as well as new frame rate limiting choices.
Even the greatest Steam Deck games, especially more graphically heavy PC games, require some tinkering with the settings to function on the portable. As competent as the Steam Deck is, every hardware has limitations, which is where the device’s performance settings come in handy.
Non-Steam Deck beta members currently have access to a variety of performance settings within the handheld itself, including a frame rate limit slider, which allows users to set the frame rate of their game to limit excess processing and thus power usage when playing on the go. There’s also an appropriately called refresh rate slider that can be used to toggle the Steam Deck’s refresh rate between 40Hz and 60Hz. However, starting November 6th, a new beta client update will consolidate the two into a single ‘Game Refresh Rate’ option.
The Game Refresh Rate option allows users to regulate the frame rates of their games in a new way. As previously noted, the stable version of the Steam Deck update channel presently allows a game’s frame rate to be limited to 15fps, 30fps, or 60fps, or it can be left uncapped entirely. This new functionality adds two more frame rates: 10fps and 20fps. While there may be no reason to limit games to 10fps, having a 20fps limit accessible can be a wonderful approach to finding a better combination of smooth performance and prolonged battery life than either 15fps or 30fps modes.
If you prefer the old way of life, you can still access the separate sliders by removing the new unified refresh rate management option in the handheld device settings. Alternatively, you can have access to the new game refresh rate slider and other features of the update by moving to the beta channel. It’s worth mentioning that doing so may create some performance issues, but it will provide you with new features and general upgrades before the rest of the Deck-owning audience.
Meanwhile, purchasing one of the finest microSD cards for Steam Deck is a certain way to provide your handheld with the space it requires to download the most recent updates, as well as a plethora of the greatest Steam Deck games. Furthermore, purchasing one of the top Steam Deck docks might help you realize the full potential of your favorite PC gaming portable.
