Unsure what GPU is equivalent to Steam Deck? Wondering how the Steam Deck stacks up against traditional desktop PCs? This guide dives deep into the Deck’s unique GPU and unveils its top 5 closest desktop GPU equivalents, guiding you towards informed purchase decisions and unlocking the full potential of your handheld gaming experience!
In this complete guide we’ll break down everything you need to know about Steam Deck equivalent GPUs in 2024.
Introducing the Steam Deck
The Steam Deck is Valve’s innovative new handheld gaming console that allows you to play your entire Steam library on the go. This portable powerhouse packs some serious hardware under the hood for a device that fits in your hands.
Steam Deck GPU Specifications:
| Features | Specifications |
| Processor | AMD Zen 2 4c/8t 2.4-3.5 GHz |
| Graphics | AMD RDNA 2 8 CUs 1.6 GHz |
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5 5500 MT/s |
| Storage | 64GB eMMC / 256GB NVMe SSD / 512GB NVMe SSD |
| Display | 7″ 1280×800 LCD (60Hz) or 7.4″ 1280×800 OLED (up to 90Hz) |
| Battery | 40 Wh |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×3 |
| Dimensions | 117 x 29 x 50.5 mm (4.61 x 1.14 x 1.99 in) |
| Weight | Approx. 669 grams (1.48 lbs) |
Compact Yet Capable
- Despite its small size, the Steam Deck can run thousands of games from your Steam library, from AAA blockbusters to indie hits. The 7-inch touchscreen has a resolution of 1280×800, perfect for the Deck’s portable form factor. You can also connect the Steam Deck to an external display for big-screen gaming.
Access Your Library Anywhere
- The Steam Deck gives you access to your entire Steam game library whenever and wherever you want. Just sign in to your Steam account and all your owned games are at your fingertips, ready to download and play. Steam’s cloud saves will even sync your progress across devices so you can pick up right where you left off.
Customizable and Open Platform
- While the Steam Deck ships with SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system tailored for handheld gaming, you have options. You can install Windows if you prefer, and the Steam Deck is an open platform, so you’re free to install software from any source. You can even install emulators to play games from classic consoles like the Nintendo GameCube or PlayStation 2. The possibilities are endless with the Steam Deck.
The Steam Deck represents an exciting new frontier for PC gaming, giving you a handheld device that can run a huge portion of your Steam library wherever you want. If you’re looking to unleash the power of your Steam library on the go, the Steam Deck delivers in spades.
Steam Deck Equivalent GPU
Finding a perfect GPU equivalent for the Steam Deck is challenging due to its unique APU architecture. However, several options offer similar performance in specific scenarios. Here are the top 5 Steam Deck equivalent GPU options to consider:
1. Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (Steam Deck Equivalent)
| Features | Specifications |
| Release Date | October 18, 2016 |
| Graphics Processor (GPU) | GP107-400-A1 |
| Process | 14nm FinFET |
| CUDA Cores | 768 |
| Base Clock Speed | 1290 MHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 1392 MHz |
| Memory | 4 GB GDDR5 |
| Memory Interface | 128-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 112 GB/s |
| TDP (Typical Power Consumption) | 75 W |
| Power Connectors | None (powered via PCIe slot) |
| Display Outputs | 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4a |
| SLI Support | No |
| DirectX Support | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan Support | 1.3 |
| Recommended System Power Supply | 300 W |
- The Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti is a mid-range Steam Deck equivalent graphics card, originally released in 2016.
- It is based on the Pascal architecture and utilizes the GP107 graphics processor.
- It is a single-slot card and does not require any additional power connectors.
- While not the most powerful option, it is still capable of running many modern games at 1080p resolution with moderate graphics settings.
- With the release of newer generations of GPUs, the GTX 1050 Ti is considered obsolete for high-end gaming.
2. Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650
| Features | Specifications |
| Release Date | April 23, 2019 |
| Architecture | Turing |
| Foundry | TSMC |
| Process Size | 12 nm |
| Transistors | 4,700 million |
| Die Size | 200 mm² |
| Bus Interface | PCI-Express 3.0 x16 |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 |
| Memory Capacity | 4 GB |
| Memory Interface | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 8 Gbps (effective) |
| Base Clock Speed | 1485 MHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 1665 MHz |
| Power Consumption | 75 W (maximum) |
| Display Outputs | 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4a |
| SLI Support | No |
- The GTX 1650 is a mid-range Steam Deck equivalent graphics card suitable for 1080p gaming at moderate settings.
- It does not require any additional power connectors and draws power directly from the motherboard.
- It supports DirectX 12 Ultimate features like Mesh Shaders and Variable Rate Shading.
- It is available in various custom models from different manufacturers with slightly different clock speeds and features.
3. AMD Radeon RX 570
| Features | Specifications |
| Release Date | April 18, 2017 |
| Graphics Processor | Polaris 20 XL |
| Process | 14nm FinFET |
| Stream Processors | 2048 |
| Texture Mapping Units (TMUs) | 128 |
| Raster Operations Processors (ROPs) | 32 |
| Base Clock Speed | 1168 MHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | Up to 1244 MHz |
| Memory | 4GB or 8GB GDDR5 |
| Memory Interface | 256-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | Up to 224.0 GB/s |
| Pixel Fill Rate | Up to 39.81 GPixel/s |
| Texture Fill Rate | Up to 159.232 GT/s |
| Maximum Display Outputs | 5 (1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a) |
| Power Consumption | < 180W |
| Minimum Recommended Power Supply | 500W |
| PCIe Interface | 3.0 x16 |
| DirectX Support | 12 (12_0) |
| OpenGL Support | 4.6 |
| OpenCL Support | 2.1 |
| Vulkan Support | 1.3 |
Also Read: PS5 GPU Equivalent : A Comprehensive Guide
4. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
| Features | Specifications |
| Architecture | Nvidia Ampere (GA107) |
| Release Date | January 2022 |
| Process | 8nm Samsung |
| CUDA Cores | 2560 |
| Boost Clock | Up to 1777 MHz |
| Base Clock | 1552 MHz |
| Memory | 8 GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Interface | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 14 Gbps effective |
| TDP (Typical Graphics Power) | 130 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin |
| SLI Support | No |
| Display Outputs | 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a |
| PCIe Interface | PCIe 4.0 x8 |
| Maximum Resolution | 7680×4320 @ 60 Hz |
| VR Ready | Yes |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 20 |
| Tensor Cores | 80 |
| Recommended System Power Supply | 550 W |
- The RTX 3050 is a budget-friendly option within the RTX 30 series, offering decent performance for 1080p gaming at high settings and 1440p gaming at moderate settings.
- It features hardware-accelerated ray tracing and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology for improved image quality and performance in select games.
- Power consumption is relatively low compared to other RTX 30 series cards, making it suitable for systems with limited power supplies.
- The card is physically smaller and requires a single 8-pin power connector, making it easier to integrate into compact builds.
5. AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT
| Features | Specifications |
| Graphics Processor | Navi 24 XT |
| Process | 6nm |
| Transistors | 5.4 Billion |
| Stream Processors (SPs) | 1024 |
| Texture Mapping Units (TMUs) | 64 |
| Render Output Processors (ROPs) | 32 |
| Ray Accelerators (RT Cores) | 16 |
| Base Clock | 2310 MHz |
| Game Clock | Up to 2685 MHz |
| Boost Clock | Up to 2825 MHz |
| Memory | 4GB or 8GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Speed | 18 Gbps |
| Memory Interface | 64-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | Up to 143.9 GB/s |
| Effective Memory Bandwidth (with Infinity Cache) | Up to 232 GB/s |
| Infinity Cache | 16 MB |
| TDP (Typical Board Power) | 107 W |
| Minimum System Power Supply Recommendation | 400 W |
| Display Outputs | 1x DisplayPort 1.4a, 2x HDMI 2.1 |
| Slot Size | Dual-slot |
| Length | 194 mm |
NOTE: The information presented here reflects the specifications of GPUs in a reference design. Actual specifications may vary depending on the specific model and manufacturer of the graphics card. It’s recommended to consult the individual manufacturer’s website for detailed specifications of the specific card you are considering.
What Games Can the Steam Deck GPU Run?
Modern Titles at Medium Settings
The Steam Deck’s custom AMD GPU has roughly the power of a GTX 1050 Ti, meaning it can run many popular games at medium or high settings at the native 1280×800 resolution. You’ll be able to enjoy smooth frame rates in games like:
- The Witcher 3
- Borderlands 3
- Control
- Doom Eternal
- Horizon Zero Dawn
While visuals may have to be tuned down from PC quality, the fact a handheld device can run these AAA titles at all is mightily impressive. For less demanding indie games, the Steam Deck will handle them with ease.
Retro and Classic Games
The Steam Deck is a retro gamer’s dream. Its built-in controls are perfect for older console and arcade-style games. You’ll be able to play:
- 2D platformers like Super Mario Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog
- Classic FPS games such as Quake, Unreal Tournament and Half-Life
- Retro fighting games like Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat
- Many PC classics from the 90s and 2000s
Emulation software also allows you to play games from platforms like PlayStation, Nintendo DS, and Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. The Steam Deck’s controls are versatile enough to handle most retro systems.
Indie Darlings
The Steam Deck is ideal for playing indie PC games that don’t require cutting-edge hardware. Many recent indie hits will run great on the Steam Deck, such as:
- Cuphead
- Hollow Knight
- Dead Cells
- Undertale
- Stardew Valley
- Celeste
- A Short Hike
The Steam Deck gives you the opportunity to enjoy these charming indie adventures whenever and wherever you want. For a handheld, the Steam Deck packs a lot of gaming potential, especially if you enjoy a mix of modern, retro and indie titles. While graphics may have to be turned down for some newer games, the ability to play your Steam library on the go is game-changing.
FAQs:
Can I connect Steam Deck to a monitor or TV?
- Absolutely, the Steam Deck comes with several ports that allow you to connect it to external displays. It has a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort 1.4, so you can use a USB-C to HDMI or DisplayPort adapter to hook it up to most monitors and TVs. You can also connect it directly to a USB-C monitor. Once connected, you’ll have the option to mirror the Steam Deck’s built-in display or use the external display as a second screen.
Is the Steam Deck capable of 1080p gaming?
- Yes, the Steam Deck is capable of 1080p gaming. With its powerful hardware and custom AMD APU, the Steam Deck can deliver smooth and immersive gaming experiences at 1080p resolution.
What GPU is equivalent to Steam Deck?
- Comparing a console to a dedicated PC GPU is challenging due to superior optimization on the smaller system. The closest equivalent to the Steam Deck is the GT 1050, although it may not offer optimal performance. A better alternative is the RTX 3050 or RX 6500 XT, which, while being lower-end options for their generation, still provide considerable performance benefits.
Conclusion
- Finding the perfect Steam Deck equivalent GPU in 2024 depends on your individual needs and budget. Whether you prioritize raw performance, power efficiency, or specific features, there’s a GPU on this list to suit your preferences.
- For the most powerful option, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti reigns supreme. RTX 3050 and RX 6500 XT are also good equivalents to Steam Deck GPU.
- Ultimately, the best Steam Deck equivalent GPU comes down to your personal gaming preferences and budget. Consider the factors mentioned above and explore the options listed in this article to find your perfect match.
