Steam Deck Performance Tweaks Every Player Should Try

PlayStation 5 (PS5) can make a full-fledged computer. You can access its disk and run PC games with Proton. That’s why the Steam Deck is no different, since it comes preinstalled with the same Linux-based operating system. So when you can play a Steam game on PC, you can also do that on a Steam Deck with the help of Proton. The result is the ability to play Steam games on Steam Deck.

With the right performance tweaks, you can greatly increase the visual performance of your Steam Deck. Valve provides a polished and immersive experience in the software even right out of the box. However, there is always some room for improvement in performance, responsiveness, and battery life. In this article, we have listed the most effective Steam Deck performance tweaks that every player must try.

1. Switch to Performance Mode

The Steam Deck has a Performance Mode that is disabled by default. This mode is best for power-hungry games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Elden Ring, where you want to squeeze every last bit of FPS and graphics performance out of your portable.

How to Enable:

• Open the “…” menu on the right side of the Steam Deck
• Go to “Performance”.
• Toggle “Performance Overlay” to enable real-time performance monitoring.
• Set Performance Profile to “Use Per-Game Profile” and select your desired performance mode

This handy performance tweak gives you per-game control, allowing each title to use its own power/performance settings.

2. Change the TDP and GPU Clock Settings

Thermal Design Power (TDP) and GPU Clock controls can also be found on the Steam Deck’s Performance tab. Adjust the TDP of your Steam Deck to improve battery life or performance. Dropping the TDP to 5W–8W is ideal for battery life, while cranking it up to 10W–12W can give an FPS boost to power-hungry titles.

You can also use the GPU Clock controls to improve FPS in GPU-intensive games and when under heavy thermal load. The recommended setting is around 1200 MHz. This powerful performance tweak lets you find your own balance between battery consumption and gameplay smoothness. Just don’t forget that power throttling is normal if you are gaming on the go, and sustained heat can impact comfort.

3. Cap Your Frame Rate and Refresh Rate

The Steam Deck doesn’t cap your frame rate, and this can cause inconsistent performance in some games, as well as unnecessary battery drainage. Capping your frame rate at a reasonable 30/40 FPS (or lower, for most cinematic games) will usually result in smoother gameplay and improved battery life. Of course, if you are using the Steam Deck with an external portable computer monitor or PS4 portable monitor, you can take advantage of a higher refresh rate up to 60/90 FPS, depending on the game.

• Set Frame Rate:
• Go to “Quick Access Menu” > “Performance” > “Frame Rate Limit”
• Select either 30, 40, 60 or the unlimited frame rate.

4. Enable FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution)

FSR is Valve’s performance hack to help your games look their best while running at much lower native resolutions. Using advanced AI upscaling, FSR can render games at only a quarter of your display’s resolution and still look great, giving you a 15–30% performance improvement in the process. This is a key Steam Deck performance tweak for getting more out of demanding titles, while still maintaining clarity. This is especially true if you are using an external portable computer monitor.

• To enable FSR:
• Drop your in-game resolution. For example, from 1280×800 to 960×600.
• Go to Steam Deck’s Performance tab and turn on the “FSR” switch. Adjust the sharpness slider if desired.

5. Switch to Proton GE for Better Compatibility

Steam Deck uses a custom version of Proton to run Windows games on Linux. However, the version that comes preinstalled on your Deck may not be optimal for every title. Proton GE (Glorious Eggroll) is a community-maintained fork of Proton that often includes experimental features, performance optimizations, and better compatibility for many games.

• Install Proton GE:
• Use the app “ProtonUp-Qt” in Desktop Mode to install ProtonUp. You can find it in the Discover Store.
• Install the latest version of Proton GE.
• Go to a game’s properties in Steam > Compatibility and select the new Proton GE version from the dropdown menu

This can solve a whole host of issues and compatibility problems with games like Final Fantasy XIV, Red Dead Redemption 2, Diablo IV, Destiny 2, Rocket League and more.

6. Disable Unnecessary Background Services

The Steam Deck may have impressive specs, but it is not immune to benefits from a clean system during gaming. You can disable unnecessary background services to free up valuable CPU and RAM resources.

Suggestions:

• Turn off updates and notifications for non-essential applications
• Avoid syncing services like cloud storage while gaming
• Disable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth if you are not using them

This is especially important when using Steam Deck in docked mode, connected to a PS4 portable monitor. Every extra cycle helps performance, which means you will want to free up as much horsepower as possible.

7. Lower In-Game Graphics Settings

This is an obvious one, but it’s also incredibly effective. Don’t be afraid to dial down graphical settings. On the Steam Deck’s 7-inch screen, the visual difference between High and Medium is often not that noticeable. But lowering in-game graphical fidelity can often double your frame rate.

The biggest power-hungry settings you should consider lowering first are:

• Shadows
• Anti-Aliasing
• Ambient Occlusion
• Volumetric effects

Combine these tweaks with the power of FSR and you will be amazed at how good your games still look on your Steam Deck.

8. Install Games on the Fastest Storage

If you have a microSD card installed, make sure it is a UHS-I U3 rated card for better load times. Of course, the best option is to install demanding titles on the internal NVMe SSD of the Steam Deck. You can check where a game is installed in:

• Steam > Settings > Storage.
• Move games to the faster storage for best performance.

Don’t forget that faster storage will not only help you with faster loading times. It also helps to reduce stuttering caused by streamed assets in open-world games.

9. Use a Cooling Stand or Dock

The Steam Deck will throttle performance if it becomes too hot. To prevent this, you can use a USB-C dock with built-in ventilation, or even use a cooling stand with fans to help with thermals during long gaming sessions.

Docking with a 2K portable computer monitor and a USB-C dock not only gives you desktop-class visuals with better refresh rates, but it also allows better airflow. This reduces the risk of performance throttling caused by sustained heat.

10. Enable Developer Mode for Additional Tweaks

Enabling Developer Mode on the Steam Deck unlocks experimental features and tools. It also gives you much more granular control over how the system behaves.

• To enable Developer Mode:
• Go to Settings > System and Enable Developer Mode.
• Scroll down to Developer Settings (a new tab will now be available)

You now have access to a host of tweaks, including power settings, experimental features, and system UI behavior. This is advanced, but extremely powerful, for users who really want to go to town with customizing their Steam Deck.

Bonus Tip: Use External Monitors for Extra Immersion

The Steam Deck is great as a handheld device, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it in docked mode with an external monitor for added immersion. Whether you are gaming on the go or connected to your desk, external monitors like a portable computer monitor or PS4 portable monitor allow you to enjoy faster refresh rates and larger screens. If you use them in external mode, you can also take advantage of multitasking. Uperfect has a variety of portable and high-resolution displays that work seamlessly with Steam Deck for gaming, productivity or media consumption.

Final Thoughts

The Steam Deck is already an incredible piece of gaming technology, but with some simple performance tweaks, it can be taken from great to truly legendary. Whether you’re trying to push visual fidelity, extend battery life, or just maximize compatibility, these tips will help you get some serious, tangible results. Don’t be afraid to experiment. One of the Steam Deck’s greatest strengths is that it is flexible, since it is literally just a portable PC. With tools like FSR, Proton GE, and per-game custom performance profiles, the Steam Deck’s experience can be molded to your exact specifications.

That said, if you really want to level up the display experience, an external portable computer monitor or 2K monitor is always an option that can make a huge difference.