SteamOS 3.8 Powers the Ryzen AI Max+395 Mini PC – The Fastest iGPU Desktop Yet
SteamOS 3.8 Powers the Ryzen AI Max+395 Mini PC – The Fastest iGPU Desktop Yet
Introduction
The latest release of SteamOS 3.8 finally brings official support to AMD’s high‑end APU lineup, opening the door for powerful, compact gaming rigs. One of the first devices to showcase this support is the MinisForum MSS1, built around the AMD Ryzen AI Max+395 processor and the industry‑leading Radeon 8060S integrated GPU. In this article we explore how the combination of a 140 W‑capable APU, 128 GB of RAM, and a customized SteamOS interface transforms a mini PC into a living‑room gaming powerhouse capable of smooth 1440p play on an iGPU.
Hardware Overview
Core Specifications
- CPU: AMD Ryzen AI Max+395 – 16 cores / 32 threads, base clock 5.1 GHz
- iGPU: Radeon 8060S (RDNA 3.5) – 2900 MHz stock, up to 3100 MHz with boost
- Memory: 128 GB DDR4, with up to 96 GB assignable to the iGPU via BIOS
- Power Envelope: 140 W TDP (adjustable)
- Storage: Dual M.2 slots (NVMe SSDs supported)
- Cooling: Dual‑fan solution from MinisForum, low acoustic profile
- Connectivity: Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, Ethernet
The MSS1’s ability to allocate a massive portion of system RAM to the integrated graphics gives the Radeon 8060S a VRAM pool that far exceeds typical iGPU configurations, ensuring texture‑heavy titles run without bottlenecks.
SteamOS 3.8 Installation and Compatibility
With the arrival of SteamOS 3.8, AMD’s “Strix Halo” APUs (including the Max+395) are officially recognized, eliminating the compatibility headaches that plagued earlier attempts. The installation process is straightforward, and the OS provides:
- Native Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth support out of the box – a notable improvement over earlier builds that required Ethernet only.
- Customizable interface via Decky Loader and CSS tweaks, allowing users to retain a Steam Deck‑like feel or apply a personal theme.
- Full desktop environment (Discover, terminal, and package manager) for everyday tasks beyond gaming.
BIOS Tweaks and Overclocking
While the stock BIOS limits access to advanced power and performance settings, third‑party utilities such as smokeless‑umath unlock deeper controls. Key adjustments made for this review:
- CPU Precision Boost Override: set to Advanced and increased boost clock by 200 MHz, raising the maximum frequency from 5.1 GHz to 5.3 GHz.
- GPU Boost Clock Override: increased iGPU clock from 2900 MHz to 3100 MHz (+200 MHz).
- TDP Cap: maintained at the maximum 140 W to allow the CPU and GPU to sustain the higher clocks.
These modest overclocks provide a measurable uplift in frame rates without compromising stability.
Gaming Performance at 1440p
The true test for any iGPU is real‑world gaming. Below are representative results from a selection of demanding titles, all run at the system’s native 2560×1440 resolution.
| Game | Settings | FSR | Average FPS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doom: The Dark Ages | High | Quality | 68 fps | Smooth, comparable to an RX 7600 in a laptop form factor |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Ultra | FSR 3 (Quality) | 55 fps | Higher frame rates with FSR 3 versus 2.1 on RDNA 3 iGPUs |
| Borderlands 4 | Medium | Balanced | 58 fps (spikes to 54) | Windows version hits ~72 fps under similar settings |
| The Witcher 3 | Ultra | None | 88 fps | Excellent visual fidelity without scaling |
| Spider‑Man 2 | Very High | Balanced | 60 fps (occasional dips) | FSR 3 essential for stable performance |
| God of War Ragnarok | Ultra | None | 86 fps | Consistently high frame rates, native 1440p output |
Across the board, the Radeon 8060S holds its own against mid‑range dedicated GPUs, delivering steady 60 fps at high or ultra settings when paired with AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution.
Thermals and Power Consumption
Performance is only valuable if it remains thermally sustainable. The MSS1’s dual‑fan design kept temperatures well within safe limits:
- Average gaming temperature: 72 °C
- Peak temperature: 83 °C (no thermal throttling observed)
- Idle power draw: ~16 W
- Average gaming power draw: ~187 W
- Maximum observed draw: 236 W (measured with a wall‑mounted kilowatt meter)
While the system is not a low‑power appliance, its consumption is considerably lower than a full‑size desktop equipped with a discrete GPU, yet it delivers comparable performance in many scenarios.
Beyond Gaming – A Full‑Featured Desktop
SteamOS 3.8 retains its Linux‑based desktop capabilities, allowing the MSS1 to double as a productive workstation. Users can:
- Install additional applications via Discover or the command line.
- Run emulators and third‑party plugins such as EmuDeck.
- Perform photo and video editing with software that leverages the 128 GB of RAM.
- Set up dual‑boot configurations using the two M.2 slots, keeping separate OS installations isolated.
This versatility makes the mini PC a compelling choice for households that want a single device for both entertainment and everyday computing.
Conclusion
The MinisForum MSS1 equipped with the Ryzen AI Max+395 and Radeon 8060S iGPU proves that integrated graphics have finally caught up to the demands of modern 1440p gaming. With SteamOS 3.8 offering native support, robust Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth, and a customizable interface, the system delivers desktop‑grade performance in a compact, stylish chassis.
Overclocking the CPU and GPU modestly pushes frame rates higher without sacrificing stability, while the efficient cooling system maintains safe temperatures under load. Although power usage is higher than ultra‑low‑power devices, it remains modest compared to traditional gaming rigs.
In short, the MSS1 demonstrates that a well‑tuned iGPU can serve as the heart of a living‑room gaming PC, handling demanding titles at 1440p with ease and providing a full Linux desktop environment for all other tasks. As official SteamOS support expands across AMD’s APU family, we can expect more innovative, space‑saving gaming solutions to follow.