spdup.net

Tech news
English Español Français Deutsch Português Italiano Nederlands

Fastest All‑AMD RDNA4 Steam Machine Delivers Insane 4K Gaming Performance

Fastest All‑AMD RDNA4 Steam Machine Delivers Insane 4K Gaming Performance

Introduction

The convergence of AMD’s latest RDNA4 graphics architecture with Valve’s official Steam OS 3.9 has finally made high‑end, all‑AMD Steam machines a reality. In this article we examine a meticulously assembled mini‑ITX system built around the Radeon RX970 XT and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The goal was simple: determine whether this combination can provide smooth 4K gaming on a Linux‑based platform without sacrificing performance.

Build Overview

Hardware Specification

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (Zen 5, 8 cores / 16 threads, X3D cache) – regarded as the top gaming processor on the market.
  • GPU: ASRock Taichi‑edition Radeon RX970 XT (16 GB GDDR6, RDNA4) – the first official RDNA4 card supported by Steam OS.
  • Motherboard: Mini‑ITX ASUS board, compatible with Zen 5 and RDNA4.
  • Memory: 32 GB DDR5‑6000 (8,000 MT/s) for ample bandwidth.
  • Cooling: 240 mm AIO liquid cooler for the CPU.
  • Power Supply: 850 W ASUS PSU, providing clean headroom for the 330 W TGP of the GPU.
  • Case: M3 compact chassis, housing the mini‑ITX components while accommodating the large GPU.
  • Display: 4K 120 Hz monitor (VRR enabled).

The system balances raw power with a relatively small footprint, making it suitable for a living‑room setup while still offering desktop‑grade performance.

Steam OS Configuration

Running the latest Steam OS main branch (3.9) was essential, as earlier releases failed to boot with RDNA4 hardware. The OS provides a console‑style interface optimized for gaming, yet retains a full Linux desktop environment for productivity tasks.

Key configuration steps included:

  • Selecting Steam OS Hollow 3.9 in the system settings.
  • Disabling the frame limiter to allow the monitor’s 120 Hz refresh rate.
  • Enabling VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and Half‑Rate Shading for smoother visuals.
  • Using the BIOS to manage GPU and CPU clock speeds, as manual GPU clock adjustments are not supported in Steam OS.
  • Installing Decky Loader for custom UI tweaks, such as gradient toggles and personalized profiles.

The result is a clean, highly customizable gaming interface that still grants access to a full desktop when needed.

Performance Benchmarks

Cyberpunk 2077 – 4K Ultra (No FSR)

  • Average frame rate: below 60 FPS.
  • Adding FSR 3 – Quality pushes performance above 60 FPS, making the game fully playable at ultra settings.
  • Native 4K ultra without scaling remains a challenge for this title.

Spider‑Man 2 – Native 4K Ultra (No Scaling)

  • Consistently high frame rates with FSR disabled, demonstrating the RX970 XT’s capability when the game’s engine is well‑optimized for Linux.

The Witcher 3 – 4K Ultra

  • Average FPS over 100, capping at the monitor’s 120 Hz limit.
  • No need for dynamic resolution scaling; the game runs smoothly at ultra settings.

Marvel Rivals – 4K Ultra

  • With FSR 3 – Quality, frame rates stay comfortably above 60 FPS.
  • Disabling FSR drops the average below the 60 FPS threshold, indicating that scaling is still beneficial for very demanding titles.

God of War Ragnarok – 4K Ultra (No FSR)

  • Steady ~82 FPS, well above the 60 FPS target and sufficient for a fluid 4K experience.
  • At 1440p, the game locks at 120 FPS, showcasing the GPU’s headroom.

Borderlands 4 – 4K Ultra (FSR 3 – Balance)

  • Achieves the best Linux performance observed for this title to date.
  • Minimal scaling required; the game runs smoothly without needing frame generation tricks.

Overall, the system delivers excellent 4K performance across a variety of modern titles, with FSR 3 providing a useful boost for the most demanding games.

Beyond Gaming

While the primary focus was living‑room gaming, the build’s specifications make it a capable workstation as well. The 32 GB of DDR5 RAM and powerful CPU enable:

  • Video and photo editing with demanding timelines.
  • Local AI workloads, such as running large language models.
  • Seamless switching to a full Linux desktop for productivity tasks.

The dual‑boot capability also allows users to install Windows 11 alongside Steam OS, offering flexibility for titles that may still rely on Windows‑only drivers.

Conclusion

The combination of AMD’s RDNA4 graphics and Zen 5 CPU, paired with the officially supported Steam OS 3.9, proves that an all‑AMD Steam machine can rival any Windows‑based gaming rig at 4K resolutions. The system handles ultra‑settings in most modern games with minimal reliance on scaling technologies, and it offers a versatile platform for both entertainment and productivity.

For enthusiasts seeking a high‑performance, compact gaming PC that runs natively on Steam OS, this build sets a new benchmark for what’s possible with AMD hardware.

Watch Original Video